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, buckle up—this one takes the cake. Meet the ‘Brataroo 9500 Turbo’, a carbon-fiber-bodied, 9,500-rpm, active-aero monster that just stole the show at the 2025 SEMA event. 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.
Remember the Family Huckster, that insane Subaru GL wagon from Gymkhana 12? Well, the Brataroo takes that concept and cranks it up to eleven. Built by the wizards at Vermont SportsCar (VSC), this thing is a spec sheet on steroids. Under the hood roars a custom 2.0-liter boxer engine, cranking out a jaw-dropping 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. And yes, it’s turbocharged—heavily. But here’s the part most people miss: nobody knows if it’s an EJ or FA-based engine, and VSC isn’t spilling the beans. All that power? It’s sent to all four wheels via a Sadev gearbox, because why not?
The body is where things get really interesting. Crafted entirely from carbon fiber, it’s not just lightweight—it’s a functional work of art. The active aero elements are straight out of a sci-fi movie. The front fenders have louvers that pivot forward or backward to tweak aerodynamics mid-air, while the rear wing is fully adjustable on the fly. And this is the part most people miss: there are two wing variants—a massive high-downforce wing for grip and a smaller one for, as Pastrana puts it, ‘general tire-shredding antics.’ Khyzyl Saleem (aka The Kyza) designed the widebody kit, and it’s as aggressive as it gets.
But wait, there’s more. Inside, the Brataroo is a mix of old-school charm and cutting-edge tech. 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 there purely for vibes. 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.’
The new Gymkhana film, Aussie Shred, premieres in early December and was shot in—you guessed it—Australia. Knowing Pastrana, expect jaw-dropping stunts, near-death moments, and enough tire smoke to blot out the sun. But here’s the real question: is this car a masterpiece of innovation, or has it crossed the line into pure chaos? And what does a 9,500-rpm boxer engine even sound like mid-flight? We’ll have to wait and see.
Controversy alert: Is the Brataroo a genius evolution of Gymkhana, or has Pastrana gone too far? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take! And while you’re at it, tell us: what would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our quick survey here and help shape the future of automotive content. The Motor1.com Team
