A quick but restrained jaunt down a wash-boarded section of I-89 proves the new SYMS adjustable coil-over suspension's worth. The car tolerates the small high-speed impacts remarkably well without any of the harshness we expected.
When we're finally free of the four-lane, the benefits of the STi Sports Catalog bushings, lateral links, strut bar kits and the Cusco 22mm rear anti-roll bar become even more apparent. Turn-in is sharp and precise, thanks in part to the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s. The run through the switchbacks up to Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17) is marred only by some full-throttle wheelspin over frost heaves in the connecting straights.
With the stock STi understeer tamed, the rear end is willing to step out with a bit of throttle on exit. Heading down the backside of the Gap past Mad River Glen, the stock Brembos with Ferodo 3000 pads never notice our rapid descent, the pedal remains firm for the entire sprint. Only the promise to bring the rig back whole keeps the trip sane.
Cruising back to the shop on the Interstate, the car's civility is remarkable despite walking the finest line between street and race that VSC has ever tried to draw.
"These cars are just on the edge," says VSC's rally team manager, Clint Fast. "We build rally cars, not tuner cars. But this project was cool enough and radical enough that we wanted to do it. And unlike most show cars, these cars had to complete a flat-out 3,000-mile event-on a different continent-a week after we finished. Anything more than this and you'll get in a lot of trouble." Amen.
Editor's Note:The point of the Gumball Rally is to have fun being lawless on some of Europe's best roads with other car guys who have more horsepower than brains. The Gumball's scoring system is shrouded in mystery and, for obvious reasons, the organizers don't issue results. They do, however, discourage competitors from calling the event a race or trying to "win."
However, finishing alone is an accomplishment when one considers the pace-speeds of up to 180 mph at times in the DC Shoes cars, according to Block, who says that the other competitors were excited to see Subarus keeping up with Porsches and Ferraris.
Also of interest: Block was Rally America's rookie of the year in 2005 and finished the season third in Group N.
Vermont SportsCar 2005 WRX STi Gumball Rally Car
Engine
Engine Code: EJ25
Type: Horizontallly opposed four, aluminum block and heads, turbocharged and intercooled
Internal Modifications: Crawford Performance S2 STi shortblock-USDM 2.5-liter block,8.1:1 CP forged pistons, stock STi crankshaft, rods and cams
External Modifications: Crawford Performance CP32 turbo kit (Garrett twin-scroll GT32 turbo, CP up-pipe, CP downpipe), APS front-mount intercooler, APS 3-in. turbo-back exhaust, APS cold-air intake, Samco intake hose
Engine Management Modifications: I-Speed USA tuning, ECUTEK ECU, Walbro 255-lph fuel pump
Drivetrain
Layout: Longitudinal front engine, all-wheel drive
Drivetrain Modifications:
STi Sports Catalog harder durometer engine and tranny mounts, short-throw shifter, Sport clutch (six-puck ceramic, 50 percent more clamping force)
Suspension
Front: SYMS adjustable coil-overs, STi Sports Catalog bushing kit, strut bar kit, strut top mounts
Rear: SYMS adjustable coil-overs, STi Sports Catalog trailing link kit, lateral link kit, Cusco 22mm anti-roll bar
Brakes
Front: Stock rotors and calipers with Ferodo 3000 pads
Rear: Stock rotor and calipers with Ferodo 3000 pads
Wheels and Tires
Wheels: 18x8-in. Speedline 2120 tarmac rally wheels
Tires: 225/40 ZR-18 Michelin Pilot Sport 2
Exterior
STi Spec C body kit: Japanese-market front and rear bumpers
Interior
First aid kit, 750-watt power inverter, three 110-volt outlets, three 12-volt outlets, two fire extinguishers, co-driver map light