Lasek, Pastrana, Isachsen test GRC Subaru VT15x
Team preparing for Ft. Lauderdale opener.
#81 Subaru Rally Team USA Subaru WRX STi: Bucky Lasek
Eric Gilbert
Subaru Rally Team USA has completed pre-season testing of their new VT15x rallycross car ahead of the first Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship round set for May 31 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Subaru factory drivers Bucky Lasek, Sverre Isachsen, and Travis Pastrana took part in the final pre-season test session at the Florida International Rally and Motorsports School in Starke, FL.
Co-developed by Vermont SportsCar and Subaru Tecnica International, The VT15x starts life as a production 2015 WRX STI, then receives extensive upgrades to the driveline, suspension, and aerodynamics creating an STI capable of 0-60 in 2 seconds that can handle pavement, dirt, and jumps. True to its factory design, the VT15x features a turbocharged four-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine and all-wheel drive.
As a warm up to his X Games Rallycross entry, Subaru team driver Travis Pastrana joined the test as well. Pastrana will compete in the 2014 WRX STI rallycross car he ran last season with new performance upgrades until his VT15x is completed.
“The technical collaboration between Vermont SportsCar and Subaru Tecnica International is beginning to show its fruits in testing,” stated Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager. “Compared to our last version of rallycross car, which took us to five podiums last year, the VT15x is a revolution in terms of outright speed and maneuverability. We’re still learning and will continue to develop this new STI, but our confidence for the start of this season is strong.”
'She flies nice too!'
“This new STI is such a great car,” said Bucky Lasek. “The power and handling is amazing, it’s much easier to push to its limits around a rallycross track. She flies nice too!”
Sverre ‘The Viking Warrior’ Isachsen also weighed in on the new 2015 WRX STI rallycross car. “You need a strong car in GRC to handle the big jumps, hard landings, and door-to-door battles. The team has done a great job of making the car both faster and more durable for this season.”
2014 X Games Rallycross Silver Medalist Bucky Lasek and 2014 Red Bull GRC Seattle winner Sverre Isachsen will lead the charge for Subaru Rally Team USA in the 13 round series. Travis Pastrana will serve a duel role for Subaru, competing in X Games plus select Red Bull GRC and Rally America events.
Subaru
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments