NEXT STAGE - Part 4: That New Car Smell - Subaru Launch Control

The new WRX rally car hits the ground running as Subaru Motorsports USA shifts into the testing phase of development. After a short tarmac shakedown, the team heads to Ohio for the car's first taste of gravel, and Brandon Semenuk's initial look at the car. With a new car built from the ground up, the team inevitably runs into its first mechanical failure and has to find a solution hundreds of miles away from the Vermont SportsCar shop.
Follow the team on social media:
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Subaru Motorsports USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., MOTUL, Sparco, Yokohama Tires, DirtFish Rally School, weBoost, and PepLink. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/motorsports.
Produced by Formula Photographic Inc. and Bowes Media Inc.
#subaruwrx #subarurally #brandonsemenuk

[@Flat4fun]

The thing I am ENJOYING THE MOST is the focus on the Team members behind the drivers!!! Hearing from the mechanics, engineers, and technicians, them being named, the input they give, and Lance getting more comfortable in front of the camera!!! Love it!! Keep the guys front and center who make and repair the car for the drivers to THRASH!!!

[@LimoMcG]

I can't believe I subscribed to Subaru solely for this series 😆

[@blacktalonsport1262]

Same! 😂

[@ArturoAlvarez16]

@@blacktalonsport1262 you guys should watch the Launch Control road to gymkhana videos. theyre all great!

[@zurielcastillo5071]

Me too! It’s soo good.

[@BjornFSE]

SAME

[@jebus456]

same.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Part 4.. One step closer to the final build and truth!! Let's go Subaru!!!!!!

[@GNARGNAR]

It's really awesome to see the behind the scenes of the development and testing of the car. Been glued to my screen every minute of this series so far!

[@rubenmartinez1903]

I love there is still a motor sports cares about Subaru 💙💙💙💙

[@JAS0N1224]

Literally THREE WRX GENERATIONS OF FIREWALL ISSUES. Cmon subaru

[@aaronbryan5095]

I swear Subaru just doesn't seem to care about parts that don't absolutely need to be very strong and rigid.

[@armywife11]

This team DESERVES to be in the wrc, one can only hope...

[@MikeG4936]

Quite possibly the best season of Launch Control... EVER!

[@Skripmzs]

That wrap is sick! I want to wrap my fender flairs with it. Lol

[@Lucason2772]

Watching this as wells as MCM’s Subaru brumby build is great

[@justinturner4850]

I love this stuff. The more launch control the better🤙 aloha from Maui Subie fans.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

6:26 YOUR TELLING ME YOU GHUYS RECREATED THE RECALL ISSUE ON THE 08-14 Firewall?

[@spaceonix_5882]

Damn shots fired at the NBR team with the livery.

[@Steamsoftsoft]

Hey Subaru, you are the best in American rallys is time to be the best on the WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

[@hersof9130]

subaru is a dying company. It is not going to enter the wrc, because of the money it doesn't have and the know-how it also doesn't have

[@andrewm5840]

I’m surprised that Lance didn’t call in David Higgins to be a tester. I remember him saying that “If I had a brand new 1 of 1 prototype car and I needed someone to drive it 9 tenths and find the limits with no prior prep, David would be the one I’d call “ or something along those lines. But I am glad to see Brandon and Keyton getting the chance to develop test driver skills.

[@thebiggjuice8474]

That woulda been awesome, miss him driving for Subaru

[@BoostedFA]

I hope rally sports stay around for a long time to come.

[@jebus456]

Car looks so good! and fast!

[@grub1962]

Well done Lance and crew... Continue to Kick Ass :)

[@WhickedWheeler]

I love that livery. Another great video. Thank you for the peek behind the curtains

[@PNWSubaruAdventures]

I want this same livery but black yellow and white! 💛🖤💛🖤 love all the work you guys do! You inspire me to take Subaru to the next level in off road with my golden girl 97 legacy outback limited. Rally and off road/ rock crawling need to start becoming a bigger driving sport.

[@RootsWings247]

Love this series guys! 🫡

[@RootsWings247]

@pellet-st6nj respectfully, kick rocks!

[@amirk3272]

this is a really cool series, thanks for sharing the process. love it

[@NotSean269]

My favourite part was calling the dude in a Shed their competitor when they have a Composites department and their own dyno. Yup real close competition there . I'm just bleak they didn't got for it and make it a Rally2 Car, man that would be amazing seeing Subaru return to rally all over the world.

[@Jez4prez1]

Rally2 is 1.6 litre. Subaru won't ever do that, I think that is legitimately why they left the WRC to begin with (all the regulations and engine downsizing). Besides, something like 70-80% of their global sales are in North America. This rallying is done by Subaru of America also. So of course Subaru of America will focus on the US market. Subaru of Japan I don't think has any interest in rallying anymore. They have been into tarmac for a long time now, ever since they left the WRC. Subaru of Japan currently do GT300 with the BRZ. Subaru also do various other driving events like lap records / time trials, etc, and they do stunt driving and whatnot with Hoonigan. Subaru of Japan also plan to use their EV the Subaru E-RA on Nurburgring to set some kind of lap record in the future also (or at least I heard them talking about it 1-2 years back - but since then lots of crazy new EV's have come out).

[@SteveHarrellRally]

@@Jez4prez1 Subaru left WRC at the end of 2008, WRC stayed 2.0L until 2011. The main reason Subaru decided to pull the plug on their WRC program was performance. Subaru went three seasons without a single win (final win was Wales in 2005), and the 2008 car - the hatch - could barely even luck its way onto a podium. It had more finishes outside the top 5 than in it. Nearly 100 starts without a win was enough for the Subaru bean counters to decide to spend that money elsewhere.

[@Jez4prez1]

@@SteveHarrellRallynah, the regulations were already well known years prior to 2011, before Subaru pulled out. I know this because I knew them at the time (some kid just using the internet to search for car info). Manufactures would have known before the internet knew too. I just did a 5 minute google search and can still find articles online from 2009 talking about it, but I remember clear as day knowing about it in 2008. Not all historical internet pages would still be up in 2023 unfortunately though. Performance def was a factor also, but Subaru just built a new hatch model for that very reason (to become more competitive). And then barely used it in the WRC (not even developing it further, getting new/better drivers etc). I think there was a combination of factors why, and Subaru at the time never stated the real reasons, instead just claiming the Global Financial Crisis, but they quickly went into trying to break Nurburgring records with the WRX STI and various other racing events (meaning they were still prepared to invest in racing of some form or another). The WRC was kind of destroyed during that era by Sebastian Loeb also. So I think a number of reasons, like not being competitive like you said (although they were still trying (successfully or not), having just recently built the hatch model - which is kind of a big deal / large amount of investment)). I'm 100% certain the regulations primarily the changes to engine size, which were then known publicly 2008ish, was a primary nail in the coffin, with the Global Financial Crisis more or less being the final nail and the perfect backdrop to stop and think and redirect the company into other motorsport. No way was Subaru going to be developing a new engine platform based on a 1.6 litre. Subaru still use the EJ20 in the BRZ GT300 car and various other race spec Subarus to this very day, almost 15 years later.

[@NotSean269]

@@Jez4prez1 Some good info in both your posts and a good read, but something to consider, they won't at all need to design a new engine, hell subaru seem completely allergic to the thought of not trying to keep the EJ going for 100 Years, but the ford and hyandi 1.6 that are in those rally2 hell even the Polo (I compete with one in our class over this side) managed to get it to work, Vermont are completely rebuilding these engines from the ground up, and to take it down to a 1600 would honestly be a pretty easy feat. That brings me onto your second point, these car are built and ran by VSC not subaru of america at all, they only are a sponsor and VSC need their blessing, If they were to have made a Rally2 car, its sales for VSC not subaru and at the end of the day, just like MSport they are a company and a business. . Subaru sales globally are dropping and especially now that (according to insiders) Toyota don't want a STi anymore since they are now pushing the Corrola GR hard, having a Rally2 car that could show up and at least make the plain WRX look more appealing, Think about almost every person watching these, hell I like subaru cause of Rally, my dad bought subarus cause of rally. Well we now two gen behind and all the kids I see would rather have a Fiesta with some $43 stickers. If you only looking at sales data now and not 5 years ahead you are already failing in business.

[@febirusdian1465]

Handle the issue with smile... Love the spirit..

[@fluffytuby14]

A very exciting season!

[@Floatworld]

Love it !! Team subaru 🎉

[@metropolis10]

Loved this!

[@johngrant1337]

great video , thanks

[@jackingram332]

Fantastic vids guys

[@mzeewakazi]

Dedication. Kudos to all.

[@scandinavianflickgd7331]

Congrats on winning the Championship with the new car on the final rally!! Fix the firewall issues though, its been an issue since the GR came out in 08.

[@SubieMooha]

So excited for this gen chassis!

[@brianmureti3159]

Keep em coming

[@HomebrewSubaru]

Appreciate the video

[@HomebrewSubaru]

@pellet-st6nj nice. I invite you to try a handful of magic mushrooms 🍄

[@Lucas-gv8bl]

I'm curious if they're gonna stick with the ej platform or develop a fa for it

[@ejicon3099]

I love these videos.

[@ejicon3099]

@pellet-st6nj No thank you.

[@LRCYuTu]

The wrap, we need that wrap

[@BjornFSE]

love it

[@jebus456]

yes! let's go!

[@JoelMotaPhoto]

Very awesome

[@JoelMotaPhoto]

That was pretty much unsolicited and irrelevant sir. No Sorry my beliefs are different that yours.

[@user-tu1ek9ur2j]

City Racer, which has been serving as an online racing game in Korea for 20 years, hopes that many City Racer users will see the Subaru WRX STI model.

[@russellbanfield8608]

Inchcape Barbados limited, agents for Subaru present Subaru launch control.

[@EduarVargas477]

Awesome!

[@EduarVargas477]

@pellet-st6nj Jesus is the way. 🙏🏼

[@EduarVargas477]

@pellet-st6nj Jesus is the way. He is the son of God.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Would love to know if this is a VB with VA differentials? Or does it have its own new active differentials? Which then begs the question, could these new diffs be the next iteration to the new STI?

[@bowesmediainc8767]

The difs are race spec. And not a stock dif. Active traction control is not allowed in the series.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@bowesmediainc8767 Thank You for the info.

[@janoskovacs11]

@@bowesmediainc8767 and what kind of the engine?

[@louisGauto]

Think of this way they just take the shell of a subaru and completely throw in everything custom built into it, even the 2.0 boxer engine is a custom one and not a EJ or FA, same with the Trans and diff.

[@WayneCarolan]

My eyes makes tears with no “This is Launch Control” from Brian Haymond

[@mke723]

This is a sub series, not really Launch Control...

[@WayneCarolan]

@@mke723 yeah I know but would you agree the narration is missed?

[@WillieWilsonLu]

Will you guys be entering the Subaru in the WRC. Coz I really miss Subaru in WRC

[@user-op7mg4rx2w]

The perfect STI ....

[@ivedonedidit]

Anyone else chuckle when the steering rack went. The Subaru curse can’t hide, not even from VSC

[@user-nf3oq2ge3g]

My Subaru sounds just like that you know when it’s cranking and not firing. Ya haha it’s there right now. It used to sound like a diesel too haha

[@styleemusic]

Subaru is culture.

[@preventer333]

This really needs to trickle down to creating a new STi... TR is definitely a right direction but please, let's end the fully gas powered WRX & STi era with a good bang. It's such a shame that VB generation has so much potential but Subaru is limiting the car's potential with current gearbox offering.

[@rzero21]

16:33 true words! This is a fact!

[@rickybarlow5918]

I don't know if it's just me but I'm sure that co drivers voice sounded like the co driver on the Colin McRae PlayStation 1 game

[@dodiesahratoe9058]

Now WRC..🤔

[@teamallyracing1780]

I have feeling subaru will soon annouce return to wrc ,i think they want to come back and when do go for a win straight

[@s1mpleeeeeee]

this car has paddel shift? can they use it?

[@daveR1611]

If the WRX was not sold in the US, I wonder what car they would run as an alternative. It’s just one of those what if questions

[@Skootl3DCreations]

RIP drone 4:11

[@bvward]

"Somewhere in Ohio" is that around Chillicothe?☺

[@bvward]

@pellet-st6nj لا، شكرا

[@flat_life750]

send another version of this car for Euro RX1 where theyre still running gas cars and maybe do some BTCC competition as well...

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

They did years back and wasnt very competitive thanks to the massive size difference between the two door fiestas and such everyone runs there, thats why they stopped bothering. One of the older drivers actually came from that, Sverre Isachsen, if im not mistaken hes the one who got them their first flat out win on a GRC track.

[@louisGauto]

Are they still using the engine theyve been using for years? Be nice if they actually tried to use the FA 24

[@Britcherbrianjr]

Why is Subaru using a non electronic rack?

[@Britcherbrianjr]

@pellet-st6nj this was not helpful pellet

[@rzero21]

1:56 Lia's car in the background????

[@bowesmediainc8767]

Travis’ rallycross car

[@qwettyuiopasdfg]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@Barry.ONeill]

How did yous know the firewall was moving ?

[@zietbukuel]

cameras??

[@norskefosvaret2007]

Ojibwe forests rally 23 video when???!

[@bowesmediainc8767]

This series’ finale concludes with its first rally.

[@driver1140dg]

Brandon Seminuk looks like Christian Bale

[@CuddelzTV]

wrc when?

[@nigel_davey]

1:56 what's that car behind them?

[@bowesmediainc8767]

Electric rallycross car

[@philsimprezawrx]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mehmetakifkacmaz4589]

Elbet bir gün.

[@MBay3131]

STI is coming????!!!

[@zietbukuel]

no

[@manuelruffin5743]

When I bought my WRX a few months ago they said that A New STI was coming

[@teteju4407]

Join wrc plz

[@Dan-nl2ug]

Looks lumbering around the track,it's no STI.....VSC can make it one tho,good job VSC team,you can only work with what Subaru hands off to you,VSC is the best in my eye's

[@louisGauto]

None of their cars have been STI's they literally just use the shell, everything from the engine and transmission are custom race spec parts not STI parts. Same with this new car just a new shell

[@koozmusic]

I love that this new series of Launch Control is focusing on the development and build of the car! I just wish it was a cooler car, lol... Sorry Subaru, I love you, but this current WRX is probably the ugliest yet, and I'm still disappointed there's no STi.

[@mundustephen6905]

Launch control has been getting boring until this latest series

[@YouTubeCensorsAndSuppresses]

Subaru - PLEASE change those Honda Civic taillights!!!

[@dalevines8832]

It is better but, why is there music? This is a racing car video. I want the hear the car.

[@AmericanNationalist852]

This show has gone downhill so much in quality that I dont think anyone cares anymore 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AmericanNationalist852]

@pellet-st6nj I don't worship war mongering pee doughs masquerading as gods.

[@brandon1157]

I hope Subaru turns things around.

[@JesusismyAirBag0]

👏🙌🫶💫✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️ LOADING Bo00OOOST🐌