Almost two decades on from its rally debut, the Subaru Impreza continues to run strong as Subary Rally Team USA launched a new 2011 evolution of the Impreza WRX STI at this year’s X Games.
Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra were on hand to show off the new car, along with SRT’s newest recruit, European Rallycross Champion Sverre Isachsen.
“The team has worked very hard to get these vehicles ready for the X Games,” said Pastrana. “The competition is going to be tough but I am confident that our STIs will be the cars to beat.”
The Group N specification car packs over 500 horsepower from its two litre turbocharged engine, and the shell aside what was once a showroom car has been turned into a race-ready machine.
This will be Isachsen’s first time in this type of car, after spending the last year in a Rallycross spec Ford Focus WRC.
“Learning a new car can be a challenge,” Isachsen said, “but having seen the result of the Subaru team’s preparations and practiced in my STI, I am very much looking forward to driving in the X Games SuperRally. Though the ERC (European Rally Championship) is somewhat different from SuperRally, I think my experience will place me in a competitive position for this event.”
SRT has a history of success at the X Games – 9 medals in 4 years has made them the team to beat, and the new SuperRally regulations should suit Isachsen well.
