Subaru Motorsports USA has revealed the all-new WRX rally car for competition in the Open 4WD class of the American Rally Association (ARA) Championship. The #180 team of driver Brandon Semenuk and co-driver Keaton Williams will pilot the car’s racing debut at Ojibwe Forests Rally on August 24-25, and driver Travis Pastrana will join in a second car in the 2024 ARA season. Built for competition by technical partner Vermont SportsCar, the new rally car has been engineered from the inside out for maximum performance under current ARA Open 4WD specifications and regulations.

Starting with WRX number 1 – the very first current-generation Subaru WRX sold in the US – the new car was designed, built, and tested over a period of 18 months before its debut today. It is powered by a custom-built turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter 4-cyl boxer engine, including a mandated 33mm restrictor and 22psi boost limit. To spec, the engine produces 320hp and 380 lb-ft. of torque, while a SADEV six-speed close-ratio transmission sends the power to all four wheels. Springs and dampers are from R53 Suspension, working with VSC-designed crossmembers, links, and hubs to manage wheel movement on any surface the Yokohama 15-inch ADVAN A053 gravel rally tires encounter.

Much of the development of the new car focuses on the safety of the driver and co-driver, starting with a fully seam-welded body shell and a roll cage based on the latest FIA safety updates. The stock WRX gas tank is replaced by an 82-liter Kevlar fuel cell, and the Sparco ADV Prime competition seats feature HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System) devices, a self-extinguishing fabric liner and FIA approved energy absorbing padding.

The carbon fiber widebody was designed from a blank sheet with the latest ARA aerodynamics ruleset in mind, with a giant carbon-fiber rear wing that is nearly as eye-catching as the car’s matte WR Blue Pearl and livery reminiscent of classic Subaru rally cars.

VT23r Subaru WRX ARA24

Open 4wd Class Rally Car

Subaru WRX ARA24
Prepared by Vermont Sportscar

Engine
Custom Vermont SportsCar 2.0-liter Horizontally Opposed 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine
Turbocharged and Intercooled
Garrett Motorsport Turbo
Approx. 320 bhp and 380 lb-ft torque
(With an ARA OPEN 4WD Class-mandated 33mm Restrictor and 22psi Boost Limit)

Engine Management
Cosworth Pectel Antares ECU

Electrical
Lightweight Motorsports Wiring Loom
Cosworth Centaurus 8 Power Control Module
Cosworth Data Logger
Tremondi Backlit Steering Wheel Panel

Weight
Minimum Weight limit 2900lbs (1315kg)

Transmission & Drive System
SADEV 6-speed Sequential Dog-engagement Gearbox
GKN Custom Driveshafts
SADEV Custom Propshaft
Motorsport Controlled Central Drive Release

Clutch
Tilton Racing Clutch

Differentials
SADEV (Front & Rear)

Suspension
R53 Suspension
VSC Front and Rear Cross Members
VSC Suspension Arms and Links
VSC Competition Hubs and Uprights

Brakes / Gravel Spec
Brembo 4 piston Brake Calipers
VSC Hydraulic Hand Brake

Exhaust System
VSC Exhaust Manifold
VSC Stainless Steel 3-inch Quick-Change System

Wheels
15×7 Gravel Wheels

Tires
Yokohama ADVAN A053 15″ Gravel Rally Tire

Roll Cage / Shell Prep
Seam Welded Shell
VSC USAC Homologated Rollcage / FIA Spec

Seats
Sparco ADV PRIME

Lights
Triple-R LED Lamp Pods / Carbon 6 Series (GEN 3)
VSC Hood and Bumper Mounted Light Pods

Interior
VSC Carbon Fiber Dashboard
VSC Composite Door Cards
VSC Carbon Fiber Co-Driver Footrest
E-Race Driver Display and Cosworth Co-Driver 4.3” Display

Fuel Cell
Under-floor FIA FT3.5 Fuel Cell (82 Liters / 21.7 Gal.)

Body
VSC Wide Body Kit
VSC Composite Under-floor Protection
VSC Carbon Fiber Rear Wing
VSC Carbon Fiber Roof Scoop
VSC Carbon Fiber Sump Guard
VSC Carbon Fiber Differential Guard

Communications
weBoost Cell Signal Booster, Drive Reach
Stilo DG-30 Intercom
Stilo WRC Road Headset

Misc.
Heated Front Windshield
VSC Polycarbonate Side and Rear Windows
Sportech Steering Rack
Sportech High Flow High pressure Steering Pump