Scott Speed, Subaru WRX Set Mount Washington Record

Subaru Motorsports USA driver Scott Speed has established a new overall record at the 2026 Paul Giblin Memorial Climb to the Clouds. Piloting the Subaru WRX: Project Midnight, Speed completed the Mount Washington Auto Road course in 5:11.982, significantly lowering the previous benchmark. This achievement marks a new chapter for Subaru Motorsports USA at North America's oldest hillclimb event. The Subaru WRX Mount Washington record was set on the now fully-paved 7.6-mile course.

Record-Breaking Performance

Scott Speed's time of 5:11.982 in the Subaru WRX: Project Midnight surpassed the previous overall record by 16.688 seconds. The prior record was held by Travis Pastrana, who achieved a time of 5:28.67 in 2021 with the 862-horsepower Airslayer STI. Pastrana's run occurred on a mixed-surface version of the course, while Speed's record was set on the entirely paved Mount Washington Auto Road.

This victory represents the fifth time Subaru Motorsports USA has set the overall record in five appearances at the Climb to the Clouds event. Project Midnight now joins a lineage of Subaru vehicles that have defined the modern era of this challenging hillclimb.

The Challenge of Mount Washington

The 2026 event presented unique challenges, including adverse weather conditions. During the competition weekend, a thick fog enveloped the upper sections of the mountain. This led organizers to shorten the first run, moving the finish line to mid-mountain.

Competitors were left with only one opportunity to record a full-course time during the afternoon ascent. Speed capitalized on this chance, navigating the 7.6-mile course under pressure to secure the new Subaru WRX Mount Washington record. He noted the mental challenge and excitement of the run, stating that many factors had to align for the successful attempt.

Project Midnight's Design and Development

The Subaru WRX: Project Midnight is a purpose-built vehicle designed specifically for tarmac-hillclimb events. Developed by Vermont SportsCar, it features extreme weight reduction, advanced aerodynamics, and a highly developed SUBARU BOXER powertrain. The car debuted at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

A critical component of Project Midnight's performance was the specialized tire development by Yokohama Tire. Yokohama created bespoke ADVAN A005 slick tires for the Mount Washington attempt, using a compound derived from their road-racing slick platform. These tires were engineered for rapid peak grip and sustained performance over the short, intense climb, prioritizing immediate response and maximum traction from start to finish.

Scott Speed's record-setting performance at the 2026 Mount Washington Hillclimb highlights the ongoing engineering efforts and competitive spirit within Subaru Motorsports USA. The achievement reinforces the team's consistent success at this demanding event, showcasing the capabilities of the Project Midnight platform.