Subaru Brataroo Goodwood 2026: power, history and the timed shootout run

© subaru.jp

Travis Pastrana turned Goodwood into a rally stunt show again. During a run at the Americana Celebration he took the 670-hp Subaru Brataroo up the 1.87-kilometer hill and slid through almost every corner sideways — not the fastest way to cover the course, but the best way to remind everyone why Subaru still lives in fan culture, and not just because of the Forester and Outback.

The Brataroo is a one-off carbon-fiber build inspired by the classic Subaru BRAT. It’s not a restomod for a Sunday cruise, but a track car built for one job at Goodwood: maximum spectacle, all-wheel drive, huge power, and a driver who turns mistakes into style. The car first appeared at SEMA 2025 as a promo for Gymkhana, and now it has made it to Britain. The real attempt comes in the final timed shootout, where Pastrana will fight for a spot on the podium.

Goodwood is far from a one-off outing for him. In 2021 he finished second overall on the 862-hp Subaru Airslayer STI, and in 2023 he was second again, in the Subaru Family Huckster. The Brataroo has less power than those cars, but it’s lighter and built on a newer concept, so the intrigue isn’t only about the result — it’s whether the new car can be more effective without simply piling on horsepower.

Against a backdrop of electric hypercars, special prototypes, and factory record attempts, Subaru plays a different game. McMurtry and modern EV rockets win with instant torque and aerodynamics; Pastrana wins with controlled chaos, all-wheel drive, and the brand’s unmistakable image. It’s a rare reminder that Subaru’s reputation runs deeper than sales figures — these runs keep interest in the WRX, STI, and the brand’s old rally models alive better than any ad campaign could.

If the Brataroo climbs higher than second place, people will talk about the result. If it doesn’t, the sideways footage will still do its job faster than any press release.