SubiNats brings out the super fans

When it comes to brand loyalty, few car brands can compete with Subaru’s rusted-on enthusiasts.

Porsche people are similar. You’d have a tough time telling a 911 guy that his car isn’t the most pure sportscar out there. But you might have an even tougher time arguing that a WRX isn’t the best performance all-rounder to a Subaru guy.

Until recently I never understood why someone could have such a focused interest in cars, but after attending this year’s SubiNats event, I’m starting to understand.

The difference between a good idea and a great idea is its ability to last. Like when someone decided to chuck a small horizontally-opposed motor in a family sedan, give it a tough all-wheel-drive system, some aggressive styling and a reasonable price tag. Chuck in a turbo and you’ve got yourself a very competent sportscar.

Although Subies had been around for a while, they really started to attract their cult-like following when famously spectacular Scottish rally driver, Colin McRae took his Legacy RS to a WRC victory in 1995. Since then Subaru’s haven’t changed a whole lot, ignoring the added tech, pick any Subaru and you’ll still find a relatively small Boxer under the bonnet and an all-wheel-drive system underneath; excluding the BRZ, of course.

In the past, SubiNats had been run in NSW to some success. This year, however, Impreza WRX Club Victoria President Kevin Ward and his team decided it was their turn to take on the event.

It took a year of planning and careful organisation, but when the cars started to roll in to Subaru Interactive at Docklands last Friday (July 1), Kevin could exhale in relief.

It’s from this Victorian HQ of Subaru the event started, and in fine form. Molly Taylor, Subaru Australia’s team ARC driver demonstrated some sideways action at the facility’s in-house skidpan. Subaru previewed its new Levorg and Forester tS before a dyno battle ensued. The first day finished with a cruise down to Phillip Island.

Saturday’s proceedings started early: the SubiNats gang cruised around the Island before hitting the go-kart track. The particularly keen got some early laps in at the track day on the Grand Prix Circuit hosted by the Victoria Alfa Romeo Club – a preview for the timed sprint event the next day.

Come Sunday, considering the event landed smack-bang in the middle of the Victorian winter, the weather was superb. A cool breeze floated over the cliff face and dark clouds settled in the distance -- turbo weather at its finest.

Groups of Subaru’s, separated by their level of spec, from the almost stock to fully-fledged track cars rolled out onto the track. The event is all in the name of fun but make no mistake, the guys on the circuit were pushing some very quick times, which led to the odd trip into the kitty litter.

“The worst thing that happens is if someone runs off the track and all that does is delay the session a little bit. Most of these guys have all-wheel-drive to pull them out of the grass anyway,” said club chief Ward.

Molly Taylor stuck around for Sunday’s proceedings, bringing along a WRX STI NR4 fitted out in her Australian Rally Championship livery. Some of the luckier attendees enjoyed a hot lap with Molly, all returning with a look of both fear and wonder; a good sign that Molly wasn’t mucking around.

“It’s been fantastic having Subaru’s presence. We’ve built up a really good working relationship with the management from Subaru Docklands. They have been a huge help in making this happen,” Ward told motoring.com.au.

It’s obvious SubiNats is far more than your average car show. It’s a weekend away with 100s of like-minded enthusiasts. The comradery between the owners was obvious. Those preparing for the Sunday’s sprint event shared parts and helped where they could.

In the car park, a wide range of tuning styles were represented and appreciated; perhaps something that the greater modified car scene could learn from, but that’s another story.

After experiencing just one SubiNats, it’s easy to see how some people become so passionate about the Subaru brand. The community is friendly, the cars are reliable and simplistic, and if the sound of a rumbling boxer at noise doesn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will.

They are by no means the most exotic cars out there, but Subaru had an idea and they stuck with it, it works. Try and name a dud? I’m racking my brains.

Bring on SubiNats 2017!