Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo Set for Goodwood Debut

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is scheduled to make its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb Shootout, with Travis Pastrana behind the wheel. The event, running from July 9 to 12, will see the purpose-built vehicle tackle the challenging 1.16-mile course. This appearance marks a significant moment for the Brataroo 9500 Turbo as it competes on one of motorsport’s prominent stages.

The Brataroo 9500 Turbo

Developed by Subaru Motorsports USA and Vermont SportsCar, the Brataroo 9500 Turbo serves as a contemporary homage to the 1978 Subaru BRAT. The vehicle first gained international recognition as the featured car in the Gymkhana: Aussie Shred film, which has accumulated over 12 million views on YouTube. In the film, the Brataroo demonstrated its capabilities through high-speed maneuvers, large jumps, and water crossings.

Under the hood, the Brataroo 9500 Turbo is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER engine. This powertrain delivers 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. The car also incorporates an advanced active aerodynamic system, designed to manage the vehicle's attitude during aerial stunts and large jumps.

Goodwood Festival of Speed Challenge

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is recognized as a premier motorsport event, attracting a diverse range of racing machinery and competitors. The Hillclimb Shootout is a highlight, where selected entrants aim to achieve the fastest time up the 1.16-mile course. This year, the Subaru Brataroo Goodwood entry will test its performance against a field of high-speed vehicles.

Travis Pastrana has a history of strong performances at Goodwood, having secured second place overall in the Hillclimb Shootout on two previous occasions. He achieved this in 2021 with the Subaru WRX STI Airslayer and again in 2023 with the Subaru Family Huckster. Subaru Motorsports USA also has recent success, with Scott Speed and the WRX: Project Midnight achieving a first-place ICE finish and second-place overall in both the 2024 and 2025 Shootouts.

Driver and Team Expectations

Pastrana expressed enthusiasm for returning to Goodwood, noting the tough competition. He highlighted the Brataroo's high-revving flat-four engine and stated his goal to either achieve a time capable of contending for the fastest internal combustion engine (ICE) finish or deliver an entertaining performance with significant sideways action. The team aims to demonstrate that the Brataroo, built for Gymkhana, can also deliver competitive speed.

Subaru Motorsports USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and receives support from partners including MOTUL, Yokohama Tires, R53 Suspension, Triple-R Lights, DirtFish Rally School, and Sparco USA. Fans can follow the team's progress during the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 9–12 on their social media channels.

The debut of the Subaru Brataroo Goodwood at the Goodwood Festival of Speed represents Subaru Motorsports USA's continued presence at the event, showcasing its engineering capabilities and competitive spirit with a vehicle designed for both extreme stunts and high-speed performance.