Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 31

ENTHUSIAST
EXTREME
CROSSTREK RACERS
BY J O H N L EB L A N C
Since the first-generation of the Subaru Crosstrek went on sale in 2012, this compact crossover has proven to be the
perfect blend for both civil on-road driving and wilder off road adventures. These original qualities have been thoroughly
refined and improved in the all-new 2018 model. But for those drivers seeking a more extreme type of driving experience,
here are three Crosstrek racers from around the world that have boosted all-road capability to new levels.
ROCKET RALLY RACING
SUBARU CROSSTREK RALLY CAR
As popular as the production Crosstrek is on Canadian roads, it’s no surprise
to see the Subaru crossover become a winner with Canadian rally drivers. This
past May, the Subaru Crosstrek prepared by Rocket Rally Racing won the Rocky
Mountain Rally in BC.
Led by four-time Canadian Rally Championship Drivers Champion Pat
“Rocket” Richard, Rocket Rally Racing is Subaru Canada’s longtime motorsports
partner. As the official home of Subaru Rally Team Canada, Rocket Rally started
offering the Crosstrek as an “arrive-and-drive” rally car to both professional and
amateur racers alike.
“In 2015, [we] set out to build rally cars that delivered 95% of the performance
of the Subaru Rally Team Canada STI at one-third of the price,” says Jeff Fielding
of Rocket Rally Racing. “The Subaru Crosstrek was the chosen platform. At its
competition debut in 2016, the Rocket Rally Crosstrek led the field outright. At
the 2017 Rocky Mountain Rally, [it[ took overall victory. [This] fast and affordable
rally car… can change the face of Canadian Rally!”
Rocket Rally Racing combines the experience of over a dozen manufacturer
championship titles and hundreds of rallies’ worth of know-how fielding Subaru
WRX and WRX STI rally cars. They leave nothing on the parts shelf when it
comes to preparing their vehicles for the rigours of rally racing. Competition
tweaks to the Subaru Crosstrek include racing brakes, long-travel suspension,
and a full roll-cage, among other details.
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ROCKET RALLY RACING
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