Get ready to have your mind blown: Travis Pastrana’s latest Gymkhana creation is a Subaru Brat that’s been transformed into a ‘completely unhinged’ masterpiece of engineering and madness. If you thought his previous builds were wild, wait until you see the ‘Brataroo 9500 Turbo’—a carbon-fiber-bodied, 9,500-rpm monster that just debuted at the 2025 SEMA show. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this the most over-the-top Gymkhana car ever, or has Pastrana finally jumped the shark? Let’s dive in.
Gymkhana is back, and with it comes the insane builds we’ve all come to expect. Remember the Family Huckster, that aero-enhanced Subaru GL from Gymkhana 12? Well, the Brataroo takes things to a whole new level. Built by Vermont SportsCar (VSC), this thing is a rolling testament to what happens when you combine vintage charm with cutting-edge tech. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about speed—it’s about controlled chaos.
Under the hood (or what’s left of it) is a 2.0-liter boxer engine, cranking out a jaw-dropping 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. Yes, it’s turbocharged to the extreme, but the exact details are still a mystery. Is it an EJ or FA-based engine? Nobody’s saying. What we do know is that all that power is sent to all four wheels via a Sadev gearbox, ensuring this Brat can handle anything Pastrana throws at it.
The body? Completely custom, crafted entirely from carbon fiber, and packed with active aero elements that would make a fighter jet jealous. The front fenders feature pivoting louvers to fine-tune aerodynamics mid-flight, while the rear wing is fully adjustable—choose between a high-downforce monster or a smaller wing for, as they put it, ‘general tire-shredding antics.’ Khyzyl Saleem (aka The Kyza) designed the widebody kit, and it’s a sight to behold.
But it’s the little details that make this Brataroo truly special. Inside, you’ll find a restored factory radio and HVAC stack, repurposed to control the active aero. Why? Because why not. As Pastrana puts it, ‘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.’
The new Gymkhana film, Aussie Shred, premieres in early December and was shot in Australia. Expect jaw-dropping stunts, life-defying moments, and enough tire smoke to blot out the sun. But here’s the real question: does a car like this push the boundaries too far, or is it the perfect evolution of Gymkhana madness?
For now, we’re left wondering what a 9,500-rpm boxer engine sounds like at full tilt. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t your grandpa’s Subaru Brat. It’s a beast, a work of art, and a middle finger to convention all rolled into one. Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it.
What do you think? Is the Brataroo a genius creation or a step too far? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, tell us what you’d like to see next on Motor1.com—take our quick survey and help shape the future of automotive content!
