Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 32

ENTHUSIAST
VERMONT SPORTSCAR
SUBARU CROSSTREK RALLY CAR
The Subaru Crosstrek is sold around the world, so you’ll find that its popularity
is not limited to just Canada. As such, it didn’t take long for the small crossover to
become an extreme racer on the other side of the planet, too.
The Subaru WRX and WRX STI models are not sold in China, so Subaru
Rally Team China commissioned Vermont SportsCar to build an open-class
Crosstrek to compete in the Chinese Rally Championship. This project,
launched in 2016, brought together the talents of individuals from Japan,
China and the United States.
For more than a decade now, the U.S.-based Vermont SportsCar has been
working with Subaru of America preparing rally cars while running the
Subaru Rally Team USA, winning the Rally America National Championship
from 2006-09 and again from 2011-16. With all this experience, the
technicians at Vermont SportsCar were confident the Crosstrek could be
successfully converted into a full-blown rally machine.
“The strong performance of the [Crosstrek] is unquestionable,” said
Jonathan Carey Senior Engineer at Vermont SportsCar. “The drivers find it
exceptionally nimble and responsive and the event results have been strong,
winning the 2016 Drivers Championship and currently leading the 2017
Championship also.”
Working with the SUBARU BOXER 4-cylinder engine as a basis, this
rally car gained an intercooled turbocharger, delivering a series-mandated
360 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed sequential gearbox, FIA
open-class specification roll cage, and plenty of lightweight carbon fibre and
composite body parts completed this extreme racer makeover.
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF VERMONT SPORTSCAR
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