Get ready to have your mind blown, because Travis Pastrana’s latest creation is here, and it’s nothing short of automotive insanity. Imagine a Subaru Brat that’s been reimagined as a 9,500-rpm, carbon-fiber-clad monster—a car so wild, it’s been dubbed the 'Brataroo 9500 Turbo.' This isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a statement, and it just made its jaw-dropping debut at the 2025 SEMA show. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this the most unhinged Gymkhana car ever built, or has Pastrana finally jumped the shark? Let’s dive in.
If you thought the Family Huckster—Pastrana’s aero-enhanced Subaru GL from Gymkhana 12—was wild, the Brataroo takes things to a whole new level. Built by the wizards at Vermont SportsCar (VSC), this beast packs a 2.0-liter boxer engine cranking out a staggering 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. But here’s the kicker: nobody knows exactly how they achieved this level of power, or whether it’s an EJ or FA-based engine. All we know is that it’s boosted to the moon, and every ounce of that power is sent to all four wheels via a Sadev gearbox. Talk about a recipe for chaos.
The body? Completely custom, crafted entirely from carbon fiber, and loaded with active aero elements that would make a fighter jet jealous. The front fenders feature pivoting louvers to fine-tune aerodynamics mid-drift, while the rear wing is fully adjustable on the fly. And yes, there are two wing variants: one for maximum downforce and another for, as Pastrana puts it, 'general tire-shredding antics.' Khyzyl Saleem (aka The Kyza) deserves a standing ovation for designing the widebody kit that makes this thing look like it’s from another planet.
But the madness doesn’t stop there. Inside, the Brataroo is a mix of nostalgia and innovation. The factory radio and HVAC stack have been restored—but with a twist. The HVAC controls now adjust the active aero, while the radio and a Uniden CB are purely for vibes. Is this the ultimate blend of old-school charm and cutting-edge tech, or just over-the-top gimmickry? You decide.
Travis Pastrana sums it up perfectly: 'This Brat’s completely unhinged—in the best way possible. It’s got the soul of a vintage Subaru with the tech to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done. Every part of it is designed to take abuse, fly big, and come back for more. It’s hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built.'
The new Gymkhana film, Aussie Shred, premieres in early December and was shot in—you guessed it—Australia. Given Pastrana’s track record, expect heart-stopping stunts, gravity-defying jumps, and enough tire smoke to blot out the sun. But here’s the part most people miss: how will a 9,500-rpm boxer engine sound mid-flight? We can’t wait to find out.
So, what do you think? Is the Brataroo 9500 Turbo a masterpiece of automotive lunacy, or has Pastrana gone too far? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, take our quick survey to help shape the future of Motor1.com. Your opinion matters—almost as much as Pastrana’s next wild idea.
