[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/subaru-crosstrek-desert-racer-all-set-for-baja-500\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/subaru-crosstrek-desert-racer-all-set-for-baja-500\/","headline":"Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer All Set for Baja 500","name":"Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer All Set for Baja 500","description":"The Mexican Baja 500 race is so named because the endurance race is just over a 500-mile long loop, starting and ending in Ensenada on the Pacific coast. The off-road race attracts some rather off-road desert-specific vehicles as you might imagine, and the Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer is such a vehicle. The Subaru Crosstrek is a collaboration between Subaru Motorsports USA, driving cousins Dustin and Parker Grabowski, AKA Grabowski Brothers Racing, and Crawford Performance. You would expect that with this […]","datePublished":"2019-06-10","dateModified":"2019-05-31","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Subaru-Crosstrek-racer-featured.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Subaru-Crosstrek-racer-featured.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/subaru-crosstrek-desert-racer-all-set-for-baja-500\/","about":["BLOG","LATEST CAR NEWS","OFF ROADING"],"wordCount":432,"keywords":["Baja 500","Subaru","Subaru off-roading"],"articleBody":"The Mexican Baja 500 race is so named because the endurance race is just over a 500-mile long loop, starting and ending in Ensenada on the Pacific coast. The off-road race attracts some rather off-road desert-specific vehicles as you might imagine, and the Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer is such a vehicle.The Subaru Crosstrek is a collaboration between SubaruMotorsports USA, driving cousins Dustin and Parker Grabowski, AKA GrabowskiBrothers Racing, and Crawford Performance. You would expect that with this sortof pedigree the Crosstrek would be something to behold, and it is very muchthat. Running the classic Subaru blue and gold rally livery famously used onthe company\u2019s Impreza, the Crosstrek runs a 300bhp 2.5-litre(non-turbo-charged) Boxer engine built by Crawford Performance \u2013 all powering avery lightweight vehicle. Quirt Crawford has said that he is looking to showthe world what a naturally aspirated flat-4 Boxer engine is capable of in the unlimitedclass of this gruelling Baja 500 desert race.Subaru Motorsports USA is looking to go one better than lastyear\u2019s second place, and if looks alone are anything to go by, they\u2019ve alreadywon. The blue and gold livery is an indication of how Subaru is continuing to recogniseand expand its racing programme into other areas \u2013 the blue and gold pullseverything together seamlessly. We have already been shown the colours on theSTI rally car at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.Dustin and Parker Grabowski have both been racing since the ages of 12, with a wealth of experience, including Pro Lite, TrophyKart, go kart racing and UTV\u2019s. Crawford Performance on the other hand, is also keen to point out that it is perfectly happy as a company to upgrade your very own vehicle, offering better oil consumption and improved engine life, whether you are a racer or not \u2013 very down to earth. Subaru debuted the Crosstrek Desert Racer in the Baja 500 in2017, before picking up a prize for second place the following year. That sameyear of 2018, the Crosstrek also picked up a first place in the Class 5Unlimited of the Las Vegas to Reno \u2013 which at 550-miles, is the longestoff-road race in the USA.The Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer looks like a cross betweena classic beach buggy and something from the film, Transformers; that mass of suspension looks set to rear up at anymoment. It\u2019s safe to say that Subaru Motorsports USA, Grabowski Brothers Racingand Crawford Performance are quietly confident heading into the Baja 500. It\u2019llbe worth keeping an eye on.Images: topgear.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer All Set for Baja 500","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/subaru-crosstrek-desert-racer-all-set-for-baja-500\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]