New WRX STI Rally Car Smell Wears Off Fast

David Higgins and Travis Pastrana are already attacking the rally stages in their new 2016 Subaru WRX STI rally cars. The new car smell of the cars wore off fast as the pair of SRT USA drivers are doing early testing of the cars for the 100 Acre Wood in Missouri.

A new car and team are added

Along with last year's Rally America Champions David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew, a new 2016 Subaru WRX STI and a new team has been added. The new 2016 WRX STI is piloted by rally veterans Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom, who is returning to rallying after a five year hiatus. They will challenge Higgins and Drew in at least five races this season.

The two new STIs are getting ready for the upcoming rally race this weekend in Missouri. Pastrana is happy to be back behind the wheel of his new 2016 WRX STI. Higgins looks like he’s ready to attack the stages, right where he left off from last years championship season. Subaru Rally Team USA put the two rally machines through their paces on a private test road yesterday. The only difference between the cars are their different liveries.

Adjustments are made by SRT USA techs

By moving the race back almost a month, conditions are much improved from last year where it was a snow and ice bowl. Blue skies and a light breeze kept the road surface dry and fast for the testing. SRT USA technicians made minor adjustments throughout the day to optimize performance and handling.

Testing will continue and more tweaks will be made to the two 2016 Subaru WRX STIs as the team gets ready for 100 Acre Wood in Missouri. The two SRT USA cars prepared by Vermont SportsCar will go head to head in an all out battle for the win. The new car smell is already gone. Stay tuned.

Source: Subaru Motorsports