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 Imprezive Dec 26, 2006

The latest addition to our fleet, a new Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon.

Here’s the latest car in the driveway: Subaru Impreza WRX. We have some neat editorial plans for this one, but right now we’re following the manual regarding the break-in procedure. (It’s that new.) Initial impressions: What a cool car. Practical, too. 

Is it Snowing in South Bend Mar 23, 2007

While the WRX is still mostly stock, it’s still getting regular workouts. Recognize these number panels? Obviously we needed some new class designations.

So, you’re probably asking yourself, “Self, when are they going to start with the WRX updates?”

Well, they’re coming. The car is going to be part of a top-secret, super-duper editorial exercise, and we’re waiting for warm weather up at The Tire Rack.

In the meanwhile, we have been autocrossing the car in stock form. Well, not totally stock. To preserve the original tires, we bolted on some tires and wheels from our most recent STS tire test--some Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires mounted on Rota wheels. Tires always make a huge difference in performance, and these are no different. The increase in grip has made the car fun to autocross. Our best times seem to come when we push the car a little beyond our comfort zone.

Locally we’re running the Street Tire Street Mod class with our Martin Sports Car Club and STU with the SCCA. In both cases, we have to face the Impreza WRX STI. That’s rough. Still, we finished about a second behind the lead pack (but not the overall winner) at our last Martin event, and we took a win at this Sunday’s SCCA contest. We’re currently leading the STU points race.

The next event with the car will be the early-April Mini Prix, a high-speed autocross event. 

Sweet Subaru Apr 16, 2007

It may look like a grocery-getter to some, but our WRX wagon is now a pretty stout corner-carver. A bunch of parts were involved in our test day. The car wore five different sets of wheels and tires today.

Our Subaru project is going to be a little different than usual. Instead of a multipart series, its transformation is going to be covered in one shot. The car is going to be the basis for a story that shows how incrementally improving a car’s handling results in lower lap times.

To that end, we had a busy day at the track today. As we bolted on a bunch of proven speed equipment, the lap times kept dropping. Here’s a glimpse of the car in its final state. 

A One-Car Affair Apr 25, 2007

Our WRX was the only STU entrant in this weekend’s DeLand autocross. A win’s a win, but some competition would have been nice. The car does feel so much better with its new suspension.

 

Silenced Subaru May 16, 2007

The Subaru has sat motionless for the past week and a half. The problem? Before heading up to Road Atlanta, we had the tires balanced. Well, the gorilla at the tire shop overtorqued a few lug nuts and, long story short, we had to replace a stud and some lugs. Fresh, beefy lug nuts just arrived from The Tire Rack, so in theory the car will be back on the road later today.