Subaru Aims to Push Mount Washington Record Further with Project Midnight
Camden, NJ — Subaru Motorsports USA will return to Mount Washington in Gorham, New Hampshire August 7-9, with Scott Speed set to pilot the Subaru WRX: Project Midnight in the Paul Giblin Memorial Climb to the Clouds (CTTC) as the team looks to push its record-setting history on the mountain further.
With a history dating back to 1904, the Climb to the Clouds is one of North America’s oldest and most iconic motorsport events. The 7.4-mile course climbs more than 4,600 feet from the base of Mount Washington to its summit, averaging an 11.8% grade while testing competitors with rapidly changing conditions that have earned the mountain its reputation for having “the world’s worst weather.” Drivers can encounter sudden shifts in visibility, high winds, and dramatic temperature changes as they ascend toward the peak.
Subaru Motorsports USA has dominated the modern era of the Mount Washington Hillclimb, setting each of the last four overall course records. David Higgins lowered the benchmark in both 2011 and 2014 aboard Subaru WRX STI race cars before Travis Pastrana reset the mark in 2017 and again in 2021, establishing the current record of 5:28.67 in the Airslayer STI.
The course will look different in 2026 than it did during the event’s previous running. Since 2021, the final gravel section of the Mount Washington Auto Road has been paved, transforming the route into an all-asphalt sprint from start to finish.
The newly paved surface sets the stage for a new kind of Subaru effort, as former Formula One driver and rallycross champion Scott Speed brings the Vermont SportsCar-built Subaru WRX: Project Midnight to Mount Washington for the first time. After back-to-back Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb Shootout podiums as the fastest internal-combustion entry, the purpose-built car now takes on one of North America’s most storied hillclimbs with Speed at the wheel.
Built from a production Subaru WRX for pure asphalt speed rather than the mixed-surface compromises of a traditional rally car, Project Midnight is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L SUBARU BOXER engine producing 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, revving to 9,500 rpm. A full carbon-fiber widebody and lightened chassis bring the car in under 2,500 pounds, roughly 300 pounds lighter than its predecessor, while Yokohama ADVAN slick tires, 18×11-inch OZ Racing magnesium wheels, and aggressive aerodynamic bodywork help keep the car planted on the road.
“Mount Washington presents a unique challenge for both me and the preparation of Project Midnight,” Speed said. “There is simply no way to be competitive here without a complete understanding of every one of the course’s turns, bumps, and elevation changes.”
“I’ve really enjoyed the process of learning the mountain and pushing myself mentally to manage the enormous consequences of a mistake. That’s what makes this event so special.”
Follow the team and catch all the updates for the Mount Washington Hill Climb August 7-9 on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru Motorsports USA is directed by Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by MOTUL, Yokohama Tires, R53 Suspension, Triple-R Lights, Antigravity and Peplink. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/motorsports
Follow Subaru Motorsports USA on Facebook, on Instagram @subarumotorsportsusa, and on TikTok @subarumotorsportsusa.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the the Subaru Love Promise ®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company ® and to making the world a better place. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
