Born from the success of the record-breaking “Airslayer” Gymkhana car, the Subaru WRX: Project Midnight takes things to a new level with a singular directive: outright speed. The lightweight widebody machine inherits a legacy of rallycross dominance, now evolved to break records and push the performance envelope of the platform. Subaru Motorsports USA driver Scott Speed couldn’t be better suited to pilot Project Midnight, with vast expertise from Rallycross, Formula One, NASCAR, and other disciplines.
Its predecessor – Airslayer – was based on a 2020 Subaru WRX STI, and starred in the viralvideo Gymkhana 2020, performing wild stunts including a 230-foot jump where its active rear wing controlled the car’s airborne attitude. While Airslayer did break records at timed events like the iconic Mt. Washington Hillclimb and Car & Driver Magazine’s Lightning Lap, its real mission as a Gymkhana star meant it was built to be the jack of many trades. So the question arose: What if it was reimagined in the form of the current WRX with a singular focus on pure tarmac speed? And what if ex-F1 driver and rallycross champion Scott Speed was behind the wheel?
The Project Midnight WRX features ultra-wide aerodynamic bodywork and a radically enlarged version of the wing found on the team’s WRX ARA24 gravel rally car. The carbon fiber body and a significantly lightened chassis give the Project Midnight WRX a curb weight of well under 2500 pounds – nearly 300 pounds lighter than the Airslayer and 1000 pounds lighter than a standard WRX! Project Midnight swaps Airslayer’s 17-inch rallycross wheel and tire package in favor of 18×11-inch OZ Racing Superturismo LMP magnesium wheels and 280/650R18 Yokohama ADVAN slicks.
Under the hood, a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter flat-four engine produces 670 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque, revving to 9500 rpm and spitting flames from its hood-exit exhaust. The powerplant is the most recent and top-performing evolution of Subaru Motorsports USA’s highly successful rallycross engine that helped Scott Speed earn Subaru the Nitro Rallycross Teams Championship in 2021.
Project Midnight was put through its paces in 2024 and boy did it deliver. With Scott Speed behind the wheel, Project Midnight took 2nd place overall and fastest ICE car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed HillClimb; became the track record holder at the Virginia International Raceway; and had the fastest time in every outing at the Velocity Invitational’s Time Attack series. In 2025, again with Scott Speed at the helm, Project Midnight blazed up the Goodwood Hill Climb with a time of 45.03, once again taking the fastest time for an ICE vehicle and second place overall.
ENGINE
Custom VSC 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder Subaru BOXER engine
Approx. 670 bhp and 680 lb-ft torque
Garrett motorsport turbocharger
Dry sump oil system
Sodium cooled valves, DLC coated camshafts
VSC inlet manifold
VSC twin belt timing system
VSC anti-lag system and turbocharger management
ENGINE MANAGEMENT
Cosworth Pectel MQ12DI ECU
ELECTRICAL
Lightweight motorsport wiring loom
Cosworth programmable power management
Cosworth data logger with GEMS LDS4 display
WEIGHT
2469lbs /1220kg
TRANSMISSION & DRIVE SYSTEM
SADEV 6-speed sequential gearbox
RCV driveshafts
RCV propshaft
CLUTCH
Triple plate carbon racing clutch
DIFFERENTIALS
VSC front differential
SADEV rear differential
COOLING
PWR rear-mounted and ducted radiator
PWR front-mounted and ducted intercooler
SUSPENSION
3-way adjustable suspension
VSC tubular front and rear crossmembers
VSC suspension arms and links
VSC competition hubs and uprights
BRAKES
Alcon 350mm front, 320mm rear brakes
Endless brake pads
VSC hydraulic handbrake
EXHAUST
VSC custom Inconel exhaust manifold
VSC stainless steel 4-inch quick-change system
ROLL CAGE / SHELL PREP
Seam-welded shell
Custom FIA-spec T45 roll cage
WHEELS
18×11 OZ SUPERTURISMO LMP
TIRES
Yokohama ADVAN A005 280/650 R18
SEATS
RECARO SPA Pro Racer with HANS
INTERIOR
VSC carbon fiber dashboard, door cards, driver footplate
Sparco 6-point competition harness
FUEL CELL
FIA FT3.5 Fuel Cell (25+ Liters)
BODY
VSC composite widebody
VSC composite under-floor protection
VSC carbon fiber rear wing
VSC carbon fiber sump and differential guard
MISC
Polycarbonate front windshield
Polycarbonate side and rear windows
Custom steering rack (11:1 ratio)
Motorsport high-flow power steering pump
