Since the first major time attack race in North America back in 2004, Subarus have traditionally been strong competitors throughout the country, and next to no one has more experience tuning Subarus for time attack purposes than Phil Grabow at Element Tuning and his sponsors at World One Performance and Prodrive America. Since time attacks involve trying to get the absolute fastest lap time around a track, thus putting a lot of strain on drivers and their vehicles, tuning the car to be successful is definitely no easy task. The car has to have plenty of power, a perfectly balanced suspension, the correct lightweight wheel and tire combination, proper aerodynamics to shave off time, and a driver with enough balls to push it when needed. Out of all these things, Phil’s car has it all, plus he drives his car himself to victory.
Phil’s STI has a very striking appearance from the outside. The Zerosports front bumper, Seibon carbon fiber side skirts, and SYMS rear make up the majority of the aero modifications, with an APR GTC-300 carbon fiber race wing and APR carbon fiber front splitter to keep the car planted on the track. STIs are not light cars, so to shave weight Phil swapped out all 4 doors in favor of Seibon carbon fiber, eliminating about 250 pounds from the car. Seibon also came through with a carbon fiber CW-II style hood and matching carbon fiber trunk lid. The painted black roof finishes off the exterior, creating an all-business look. Since you can’t have all the glamour without the guts, under the hood lies Phil’s own Element Tuning GT65 turbo kit, Element Tuning’s Hydra standalone engine management, Element Tuning’s Hydramist meth injection system, a TurboXS front-mount intercooler, RC 1000cc injectors, and an Aeromotive fuel pump. Feeding the turbo air are Element Tuning headers, with the exhaust flowing out through an Element Tuning downpipe and an Espelir JGT-500 catback. Turbosmart provides the external wastegate, E-Boost boost controller, and dual vent Megasonic blow-off valve to finish off the power side of things.
No time attack car could be competitive without a proper suspension to match all the power. Dropped on Element Tuning-spec JIC FLTA2-RS coilovers, Phil’s car stops on a dime thanks to a StopTech 355x32mm front big brake kit, cooled by RCE brake ducts. Saving weight on the wheels are a set of 18×9.5 inch Prodrive GC-05Fs wrapped in Toyo RA-1s for the wet, and a set of 18×9.5 inch Prodrive GC-010Gs wrapped in Hoosier slicks for the dry (not pictured). Hotchkis sway bars brighten up the undercarriage, joined by Cusco strut braces up top. On the inside is an Autopower roll cage, with a Sparco Evo L driver seat and a Sparco Sprint passenger seat. Sparco harnesses keep Phil in place, and a Sparco Magello steering wheel with NRG quick release keep the car under control. Since Phil actually drives this car across country to events rather than putting the car on a trailer, a Samsung satellite radio system keeps him company on those long drives.
There is no question that Phil has built this car with functionality above all in mind. All of the research and development paid off this past April in Portland, Oregon, with Phil driving his World One Performance and Prodrive America-sponsored car taking 1st Place in the Pro Class at Subiesport Magazine’s Subiefest. Since then, the car is back on the East Coast where Phil resides, and is currently prepping it for the next upcoming time attack race. Thus, if you live in Maryland, don’t be surprised to hear a 450+ wheel horsepower roaring down the street in time attack preparation.
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