Subaru's in the Park

Life has been a tad stressful of late for Muppet, so when a friend called me last weekend with an invitation of a picnic in the countryside and a Sunday drive, I jumped at the chance. Idyllic scenery, fine food and a biff about the country lanes. Well, no, actually, that was not quite what he had in mind. I found myself en route in a tastefully modified Subaru Impreza WRX to the interestingly titled ‘Southern Big One’ the Subaru Impreza Drivers’ Club’s first show in the southern counties. The venue was Beale Park, near Reading.

every woman should have a little black number

Impreza-ive

not quite my idea of a picnic

There are roughly 6 different models of Impreza. Some bought direct from main dealers, others being lovingly imported. In unmodified form, the Impreza varies from the 2.0 GX model, which kicks out 125bhp, with 136 lb/ft of torque, it has a maximum speed of 119 mph and finds 0-60 in 9.8 secs. Compared with the top of the range turbo powered Impreza 2.0 WRX STi which has an impressive 265bhp with 253 lb/ft torque, a top speed of 151mph and 0-60 time of 5.2 secs. STi are Subaru Tecnica International (the motor sports division of Subaru), and it does occur to me that at times motor manufacturers really don’t think too much when they add acronym badges to their cars…

think before you acroynm

The modified Impreza’s in their myriad of varied specifications squeeze out more power and higher top speeds be they for road, track or as nature intended, rally use. And the owners are like the possessed in their mission to tweak these 4 door saloon cars within in an inch of their lives.

can you tell what it is yet?

The name Subaru is not the name of the owner of the company; disappointingly there is no Mr Subaru. It is in fact a direct translation of the name of a 7 star cluster Pleiades which is found in the Taurus constellation, as seen on the marque’s badge. Ah but there’s only 6 stars madame muppet I hear you cry, and you’d be perfectly correct. There are only 6 because it is said that the 7th star is barely visible to the naked eye, so quite rightly Subaru don’t show it on their cars.

So, the Southern Big One. The aim, I was told, was to beat the Northern equivalent’s attendance figures of 500 Scooby’s. This is another Subaru ‘thing’ , the nickname for the cars, “Scooby”, as in the cartoon character Scooby Doo, which is why you’ll see many of these cars sporting Scooby Doo plush cuddlies of various size. It’s thought to have emerged via rhyming slang ‘Subaru – Scooby Doo’. On the other side of the coin in Australia the nickname is Rex as the turbo is called WRX, which figures I suppose.

Scooby and er Scooby

Picture the scene, a balmy English summer’s day, a meadow filled with Impreza’s of their various shapes and sizes.

have any one you like, so long as it's blue

I honestly had to look very very hard because other than colour it was increasingly difficult to tell them apart. Granted the majority of modifications was probably lurking hidden under the bonnet or in the tell-tale ride height indicating lowered suspension.

spot the difference

After a couple of hours intensive study and with the aid of my friends’ extensive knowledge, I actually began to notice the differences between models. The original ‘classic’ style, the ‘new age’ controversial ‘bug eyed’ models, which some had had changed before they even left the showrooms and the latest models with smoother looking headlamps. Add to that the trends I noticed. Bonnet air intakes of various designs, rear spoilers of varying sizes, surely there’s a joke in there somewhere? Some of them were so large I expected to be taking tea off them later in the day. But the thing for me were the exhausts. Shiny, varying in note, but most of all diameter. There were some of the hugest exhaust pipes I had ever seen. Small children and family pets could be lost in there and no one would know until they shot out when the car was started.

a cookie cutter? or an exhaust?

Many in attendance at the Southern Big One were from the Essex chapter of the SIDC, which to me seems a fitting habitat for some of these modified Japanese motors. The camaraderie of these members was quite impressive, particularly when visitors were told that one car which I was really quite eager on seeing in action, was ‘not quite working, come back later’. It was alleged that this car belched flames from it’s arse, something I would be very impressed with, I’d even given serious thought to buying some Cumberland’s especially for the occasion. I was saddened, however when the sign was reversed and alas I would not be witness to the flame throwing car today.

but it doesn't

To lighten the mood my friends took me to the nearby wildlife centre which is housed at Beale Park, home to some fascinating playful Meerkats and it did really cheer me up, as in true Muppet fashion I found a miniature steam engine to play with.

it got me hot, it got me steamy

On return to the WRX, the day took a turn for the better; a man from Southern Scoobies who looked as if he’d stepped out of an all-nighter came to inform my friend that his car had been judged ‘best new age’ in that section of the show. Given that he hadn’t really polished the car, nor was it a show car, the resultant smile on his face made me glad that I’d been there to witness the event.

These cars may not quite be my idea of beautiful, they may have hard suspension and give me slight whiplash on acceleration, but are big real Gran Tourismo toys on the road. When in the driver’s seat the high speed cornering ability is colossal, these things really stick to the tarmac.

With the sheer pleasure they give their owners and the dedication they get in return it is hugely admirable and definitely gets my seal of approval.

a proud owner

The word Subaru, if read backwards states "u r a bus". For more information about the Subaru Impreza Driver's Club events visit http://www.sidc.co.uk

essential Subaru equipment