Burnsie the Rally Wagon and the crew attacked the first rally of the year with the usual vigor, and then some!  In the off season the team made many changes to the car, but was left with little time to do some serious testing.  Unfortunately the team suffered their first and only Mechanical DNF at this first rally of the year, due simply to over-boosting.  

Per PGT Class rules the car is now fitted with an EcuTek computer reflash. Altering boost, fuel, etc.  The team spent time on a Dyno and had the car properly tuned, only catch?  We slightly over did it.  There were a combination of factors, none which would have been noted until it was too late. The car felt, and drove fantastically! Boosting at approx 17-18psi, the car flew down the stages... until the Intercooler Y pipe hoses literally exploded from the inside out.  The team ran most all of day 1 with a pencil tip size hole in a hose, and were left with absolutely NO boost. That hose was swapped as the team figured it randomly blew and next stage... BAM!!!  The replacement hose literally exploded and the car came to halt. Unfortunately, even with a 3rd hose fitted, wrapped, secured..... the same consequences were suffered on the beginning of day 2....  Thus Burnsie and the team had to pack it in and call it a rally.

Post Rally news is that the culprit was found, and it had nothing to do with the Ecutek, nor the excellent tuning skills of PDXTuning - the culprit that ended this rally for the team was a $.25 part which was used in a prior repair on the cars boost lines at some point.  This "T" fitting allowing for air flow and boost control was not a heat treated part. When this part was inserted, it was NOT the intended factory heat sensitive part.  Thus, when the boost and heat were turned up - the T-fitting melted closed, leaving the team with no boost control what so ever.  Had the intercooler hose not destroyed itself, the engine surely would have suffered massive damages running wide open boost.

"Oh boy, you bet I am very very disappointed, the car was running so well!" stated Jamie Thomas, team owner/driver, "Once we get through these quirks, the remainder of 2005 should be VERY interesting, car felt great when it was going, but that was such a rare thing this rally..." Grinning, she continues, "I know that PDX Tuning will help us get this sorted out, and I know we'll be back, and faster than before! I just cant wait to get it going!"

Team Update: Excellent news in this learning experience is that the new STi Limited Slip Differentials fitted into the car (thank you Smart-Service! & Rallispec!) Make a MASSIVE difference!  The response and gripping capabilities are night and day versus stock.  And... a full week after the event, the team has been able to sort the tuning and boost issues out  completely - thank you once again to the pros at PDXTuning!

Next Event:  Oregon Trail Rally - April 22nd - Hillsboro, Oregon

Subie Gal Racing team thanks 2005 season sponsors:  StonGard.com, Rallispec, PDXTuning. EBCBrakes, CavettRally.com, Smart-Service. IonPerformance.com, Rallitek.com, Nasioc.  Grillcraft.com, Spec Clutch, Shaneyfeltmotorsports. Subie Gal Supporters

Very Special Thanks to Crew members: Andrew, Anthony for their help on this rough event & to Russ for the use of his trailer once again! Thanks gang!

For more information contact:

Info@subiegal.com

www.subiegalracing.com