A black shape emerged from the darkness, barreling through the English countryside and howling the whole way — Subaru Motorsports USA’s “WRX: Project Midnight” made its debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Appearing alongside returning fan-favorite the “Subaru Family Huckster” and becoming an instant sensation with spectators, Project Midnight set the fastest Shootout time for an internal combustion engine vehicle with racing legend Scott Speed behind the wheel.
“It’s one of the most unique things I’ve ever driven,” said Speed of Project Midnight after its showing in the Shootout. The main event of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Shootout is a quick tarmac hillclimb – exactly the kind of run Project Midnight was built for. Says Speed of Goodwood: “I can’t emphasize enough how much this hill — or track — is such a special place.”
To come out of the box second overall, and the fastest ICE vehicle among a field of Cup cars, Pikes Peak hillclimbers, retired Formula 1 racers, and ultra high-powered electric vehicles all lumped into one category more is no small feat. “I’m proud of the effort from everybody,” noted Speed. “I really feel like the team did their best job this week. We executed well!”
Project Midnight immediately grabbed the attention of Goodwood attendees and those watching online while the Huckster, with extreme sports great and Subaru Motorsports USA driver Travis Pastrana in the driver’s seat, grew its legend as a Goodwood icon. The pair reflect the natures of their drivers: Project Midnight’s 670-horsepower turbocharged BOXER engine evolved from the one that helped Speed earn Subaru the Nitro Rallycross Teams Championship in 2021. Combined with its aerodynamic bodywork, Project Midnight is a purpose-built asphalt carving machine. The Huckster, on the other hand, is built from a 1983 Subaru GL wagon with an 862-horsepower turbocharged BOXER engine and active front/rear hydraulic aerodynamics. It’s a perfect fit for Pastrana’s no-holds-barred, full-send, sideways-heavy style.
Events like the Goodwood Shootout are what Project Midnight was built for, but it wasn’t made solely for the Festival of Speed.
