Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall/Winter 2019 | Page 36

ENTHUSIAST
DRIVING IN THE WINTER
CAN BE A MIXED BAG…
PHOTO: MARK EIDEN
O
n the one hand, there are few more enjoyable feelings
than driving a Subaru fitted with snow tires through a
layer of fresh powder on a country road. Inevitably, though,
you’ll end up behind a plodding snowplow or a nervous
driver sliding around on all-season tires or, worse, worn
summer rubber. (We rally nerds call these people the “non-
believers.”) Reality isn’t fun: Make a U-turn and head back to
the open roads—life is better there.
Driving a modern Subaru in the winter is relatively simple
these days. You’ve got traction, vehicle dynamics control, all-
wheel drive and a wide choice of snow tires to fit all budgets
and needs. For even more confidence, there are winter
driving clinics and schools located near practically every
major city in the country. These schools provide basic car
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control instruction and ample space for learners to make big
winter driving mistakes in a controlled environment.
But what do you do when you want to take your winter
driving to the next level? Let’s say you plan on building a
rally car and need some slippery surface practice. Or maybe
you’re a track day enthusiast who wants to keep your skills
honed over the winter months while the cat covers your
fancy new race seats with fur? This is where the Subaru
Winter Experience arrives on the scene.
This driving experience is a true team effort, with hosting
and organization courtesy of FlatOut Sweden, cars provided by
Subaru of America and instruction assistance from DirtFish
Rally School. Perhaps little known in North America, FlatOut
is a multi-purpose organization that hosts and arranges