Subiefest 2008: Bigger, Better, Hotter

The third installment of Subiefest, held over September 6 -7, 2008, at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosemond, Calif., and presented by Subaru, EDO Performance and Subiesport Magazine,  was a smashing success. With caravans of Subaru faithful making the trek from all over the Southwest, and all over the country, the raceway’s general parking was soon filled and the gates flooded with Imprezas, Legacies and Foresters of all kinds.

Subiefest was a two-day event this year, unlike the two previous one-day Subiefest events. This year’s show saw an unprecedented amount of spectator -involvement.

Thanks to Subaru of America, attendees got a chance to not only drive the brand new 2009 WRX and the new STI, but they were allowed a rare opportunity to drive these cars on the track. The Subaru WRX Lap Attack let anyone over the age of 21 get in the driver’s seat for a lap around the “Big Willow” racetrack and over two days, over 400 drivers took Subaru up on the offer.

For those who were a little more adventurous, Subiefest offered drivers a chance to take their own car out on the track for a day of lapping. Saturday was dedicated to the non-racer who wanted to get a taste of driving on the track with HPDE-style lapping sessions. Novice and experienced drivers alike jumped at the opportunity and just about 50 cars and their drivers pushed the envelope on a very hot day. So hot in fact, that one car literally burst into flames.

If driving was not part of your plans, Subiefest offered up other opportunities, like the large vendor area or a chance to hear live music on the Perrin Performance main stage courtesy of the Endeavors.

Day two dawned another hot day with lots of hot action on the track. The Subiefest Time Attack sponsored by EDO/ZeroSports saw some of the country’s best Subaru drivers battling it out for top spots on the podium and bragging rights on the forums. With three classes, Street, Modified and Pro; drivers and cars of all types had a chance at the podium. Despite this, only two drivers would share three podium spots: Russ Warr in the Crawford 2008 STI and JC Meynet doing double duty in his 2005 STI. Russ grabbed the street class top spot while JC pulled doubly duty in the Modified and Pro classes.

Off track, a dedicated group of Southern California enthusiasts braved the dry, hot track and camped in the general lot the entire weekend despite the fact that temperatures soared over 100 degrees both days; this despite the fact that camping was done on your choice of gravel or pavement.

Plans are already in the works for next year with a target date around early fall to hopefully avoid the heat of late summer. Keep your calendars clear as Subiesport will be back; bigger and better, it is a show you do not want to miss.

Special thanks goes out to the crew from Snail Performance.

Comments

[Snail Lover.]

We love SnailPerformance

[wes from snail performance]

We had an absolute blast...Just wanted to thank Ryan and Travis for letting us help out.. would do it again in a heart beat...

[Travis]

Had a great time out there the track was awesome there where a lot of nice looking cars that showed up I'm really looking forward to next years event. Travis and Ryan awesome event all my guys had a blast helping run the event. We plan on coming to next years event so if you need any help just let me know.

[Travis Snail 1]

Had a great time out there the track was awesome there where a lot of nice looking cars that showed up I'm really looking forward to next years event. Travis and Ryan awesome event all my guys had a blast helping run the event. We plan on coming to next years event so if you need any help just let me know.

[JC]

Great event guys! It was a priviledge to be a part of it all!

Do you have all the results available anywhere? How about the videos, are any of them available yet?

Thanks

JC