October 8, 2024
, Sonoma, CA
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VELOCITY INVITATIONAL FEATURES PROJECT MIDNIGHT WINNING US DEBUT, TRAVIS PASTRANA AND THE FAMILY HUCKSTER
“Project Midnight” -- the quickest, fastest WRX ever from Subaru Motorsports USA – made its American debut at the Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway this weekend, placing first in both the Global Time Attack and Hill Climb competitions. First revealed to the world at July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Project Midnight set the fastest Shootout time for an internal combustion engine vehicle, very nearly taking the Shootout title outright with a second-place finish.
The Velocity Hill Climb saw driver Scott Speed taking on legendary drivers that included Romain Grosjean in a Ford GT MKIV and Tony Kanaan racing a McLaren Senna. Project Midnight came out on top over the second-place Ford by just under half a second. In the Global Time Attack, Speed’s winning time around the 2.52-mile Road Course was 1:29.856; seconds ahead of a field that included James Kirkham’s Mercedes AMG GT3 “Raw Spec” and Cable Rosenberg’s 9-liter, 1300 wheel-horsepower Dodge Viper.
“We were able to break into the 1:29’s, which is pretty cool,” said Speed afterwards. “The track was awesome this morning, and we executed super well. A successful Velocity Invitational for us.”
Project Midnight wasn’t the only special Subaru at this year’s Velocity Invitational – extreme sports legend and Subaru Motorsports USA driver Travis Pastrana was on hand to thrill crowds with high-speed Gymkhana runs in the Subaru Family Huckster, the custom 862-horsepower 1983 Subaru GL wagon that has become a fan favorite everywhere it goes.
Pastrana took a few brave attendees along for the rides and was honored to have fellow drivers Tony Kanaan and JR Hildebrand in for a spin as well. “I didn’t know that taking Tony Kanaan for a drive in the Huckster was even an option for my bucket list,” said Pastrana, “but it’s really high on the list of awesome things that I’ve had the opportunity to experience.”
For Pastrana, it’s straight from Sonoma Raceway to Michigan ahead of this weekend’s Lake Superior Performance Rally – the final round of the 2024 ARA National Championship. Who knows where the mysterious machine may turn up next: Find out by following Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru Motorsports USA is directed by Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by MOTUL, Yokohama Tires, R53 Suspension, Triple-R Lights, DirtFish Rally School, Sparco USA, weBoost and Peplink. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/motorsports.
Follow Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTo @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
The Velocity Hill Climb saw driver Scott Speed taking on legendary drivers that included Romain Grosjean in a Ford GT MKIV and Tony Kanaan racing a McLaren Senna. Project Midnight came out on top over the second-place Ford by just under half a second. In the Global Time Attack, Speed’s winning time around the 2.52-mile Road Course was 1:29.856; seconds ahead of a field that included James Kirkham’s Mercedes AMG GT3 “Raw Spec” and Cable Rosenberg’s 9-liter, 1300 wheel-horsepower Dodge Viper.
“We were able to break into the 1:29’s, which is pretty cool,” said Speed afterwards. “The track was awesome this morning, and we executed super well. A successful Velocity Invitational for us.”
Project Midnight wasn’t the only special Subaru at this year’s Velocity Invitational – extreme sports legend and Subaru Motorsports USA driver Travis Pastrana was on hand to thrill crowds with high-speed Gymkhana runs in the Subaru Family Huckster, the custom 862-horsepower 1983 Subaru GL wagon that has become a fan favorite everywhere it goes.
Pastrana took a few brave attendees along for the rides and was honored to have fellow drivers Tony Kanaan and JR Hildebrand in for a spin as well. “I didn’t know that taking Tony Kanaan for a drive in the Huckster was even an option for my bucket list,” said Pastrana, “but it’s really high on the list of awesome things that I’ve had the opportunity to experience.”
For Pastrana, it’s straight from Sonoma Raceway to Michigan ahead of this weekend’s Lake Superior Performance Rally – the final round of the 2024 ARA National Championship. Who knows where the mysterious machine may turn up next: Find out by following Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru Motorsports USA is directed by Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by MOTUL, Yokohama Tires, R53 Suspension, Triple-R Lights, DirtFish Rally School, Sparco USA, weBoost and Peplink. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/motorsports.
Follow Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTo @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.