Meet Ken Block's Impreza STI tank
2009-11-03 07:59
When Ken Block and Subaru team up to build a tracked Impreza STI you just know it’s going to be stupefyingly entertaining.
Block’s take on rallying, and especially his highly choreographed gymkhana videos, have endeared the co-founder of DC shoes to a legion of global fans. The Subaru Impreza STI is Block’s vehicle of choice.
Considering Block’s background in extreme boardsports (skate- and snowboarding) it was only a matter of time before the Californian was going to add some serious traction attitude to his Scooby…
Impreza Tank?
Dubbed the TRAX STI, Block claims it’s the fastest cat track operated vehicle yet.
Although performance numbers aren’t yet forthcoming, we can only expect the TRAX STI to be significantly quicker than other cat track operated vehicles – which generally buffer against a 65km/h peak operation speed threshold.
Operating a 105M1-A1 rubber track system designed by Minnesota based Mattracks, Block’s TRAX STI runs a 406mm track width. The system is connected to the Scooby’s suspension via a concentric pivot featuring an independent offset rocker arm.
A drivetrain drop of 76mm was necessitated to accommodate the tracked set-up.
Needs more power
The track conversion adds 180kg of mass to each wheel (sorry, track) corner. This means Block’s 294kW Scooby is going to need a power upgrade soon to offset the 720kg increase in weight - despite having 542Nm of peak rotational force on tap...
Currently the car is running Group N competition rally dampers courtesy of EXE-TC and KAPS five-speed close-ratio dogleg configuration transmission.
Santa's little super sleigh
Preliminary testing at the Guardsman pass in Utah has seen Block put the TRAX STI to good use towing four snowboarding buddies and all their gear on a hand built fibreglass sleigh.
It's not any Santa's sleigh either. Featuring a marine grade water resistant Alpine digital media receiver relaying through marine grade speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer you'll hardly hear the screams of fear from behind as you tow mates to the top of their ski-run...
The TRAX STI will be on display at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, which opened yesterday.
Ken Block, top bloke.
