12/17/2025
Subiefest 2025 Autocross Champions – Once again!
We attended the Subiefest Florida 2025 Annual meetup in Orlando , FL this past weekend. There were a TON of Subarus in attendance, lots of cool booths, show cars, and things to see but our main draw was the Subimods sponsors Flat Four Showdown Autocross. The Flat Four Showdown is designed for drivers competing in Subaru-powered Subaru models and select Toyota and Scion models (FR-S, GT86, and GR86), encouraging them to get out and drive in various disciplines like autocross, time attack, and drifting. It’s all about friendly competition, community, and supporting each other while chasing faster times and bigger goals. If you’ve got the skill and drive, the Flat Four Showdown gives you a platform to showcase it.
They break it down into simple classes: Non-turbo, RWD stock, RWD Modified, Turbo Stock, and Turbo Modified – easy enough. We were in the Turbo Modified class, which is usually the heavy hitters of the days – STIs and WRXs, and forced induction upgraded 86 cars. This gives everyone an opportunity to run with similar cars, without brain melting class rules that would otherwise make some people turn away from the event. It is run and staffed by Subimods and Subiefest – and the event went pretty smoothly!
Lots of locals came out, some other shops showed up in their shop cars, and there was a healthy mix of Subaru and flat four powered cars on the grid. The Turbo Modified class had about 20 participants in total – Mostly WRXs and STIs, but with a few 86s thrown in the mix. We were in our 2008 STI – which has been built as a do-it-all STI – something we can enjoy on the street as a fun cruiser, mountain runs (when we get out of Florida), or Autocross and light Track work. It is a full interior car, with A/C, and even has an upgraded stereo system in it – so this is not a dedicated track car (although we did see some of those out there)!
The engine package is a IAG Stage 2 shortblock, with OEM heads/valvetrain. The turbo is a Blouch 1.5XTR with EL HKS headers, and a full turboback exhaust including an HKS Legamax catback. The fuel system has been upgraded with an AEM in-tank pump, IAG fuel rails, PTFE lines, and ID injectors. The stock suspension has been replaced with ST street coilovers, Vorshlag front camber plates, Cusco rear arms, and several key drivetrain/chassis braces and mounts to tighten everything up. Brakes are stock Brembo calipers with upgraded SS lines, Ferodo pads, and standard blank Stoptech rotors. We are running Mach V wheels wrapped in Falken RT660 tires. The beauty of this car is that it feels just like we think an STI should; tight, with quick spool, power through the mid and upper rev range, and with compliant, but composed, handling.
The Subiefest 2025 Autocross course was inside of the circle track at Orlando Speedworld – utilizing a bit of the banked track section and the middle crossover section. It was a fairly tight course – with some abrupt transitions from the banked oval down to the flat infield. Our driver Nathan managed to navigate the tight course AND save our front lip from being destroyed (several other drivers were not so lucky). Our car came across the line to victory with BOTH the fastest time in our Turbo Modified class at a blistering 26.886 seconds AND the overall fastest time of the day out of all the competitors!
As a point of reference, professional driver Scott Speed was doing lap after lap in the new WRX TS all day giving fun rides to guests – and he was only 3 tenths of a second faster on his fastest run than us – Not bad if we do say so ourselves!
This is our 4th year in a row attending the Subiefest Autocross challenge – and the 4th year running for winning our class in Turbo Modified AND taking Fastest time of the day. We take pride in backing up our words with results – we consistently build fast, track proven, and winning vehicles at Circuit Motorsports. We use what we build, and we reference those experiences to recommend the very best setups, parts, and tuning it our clients.
If you want the best performing Subaru (with proof) – contact us for a build consultation!
