Subaru STI Breaks Mt. Washington Hill Climb Record

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Subaru has a storied motorsport history. That may be surprising to those who only see Subaru as the brand that makes pet-friendly station wagons. The truth is that Subaru has produced formidable race cars for decades. One only needs to look back at the late 90s seasons of WRC to see Subaru’s dominance.

In the early 2000s, Subaru got heavily involved in American rally racing and in extreme sports events such as rallycross. The WRX STI’s popularity skyrocketed when Ken Block masterfully drove one with expert precision in his Gymkhana videos. 

The ‘Airslayer’ Subaru WRX STI

Subaru “Airslayer” WRX STI | Subaru

In the last Gymkhana short film, it was Travis Pastrana behind the wheel of a brand new car dubbed the “Airslayer STI.” The Airslayer STI started off as a purpose-built gymkhana car meant for Pastrana to make his mark on the video series popularized by his friend Ken Block. Though at its heart, the Airslayer is still a rally car, so it is uniquely equipped to take on non-gymkhana challenges.

The Airslayer Subaru STI is designed with no restrictions in mind. It is built specifically to take on extreme challenges where there are few to no rules. This is evidenced by the STI’s bespoke aerodynamic package which is unlike anything seen on WRC cars or rallycross cars that must adhere to a rulebook.

The Airslayer takes on Mt. Washington

The Subaru "Airslayer" WRX STI jumping during a hill climb race.
Subaru “Airslayer” WRX STI jumping | Subaru

In 2017, Travis Pastrana piloted a Subaru WRX STI all the way up Mt. Washington during a hill climb event and set a record time that remained in place until this year. The hill climb event is the oldest of its type in America and one of the tallest to still feature multiple road surfaces. That means getting to the summit in record time is no easy task.

Travis set out to break his own record in the Airslayer Subaru STI. On paper, his chances to achieve his goal looked very good. The Subaru that he drove to break the record in 2017 made 600 horsepower and featured a traditional rally-style aero package. The Airslayer Subaru STI has 862 horsepower and produces much more downforce. The biggest challenge for Pastrana would be keeping all of that power on the mountain and not going off the edge.

Did the Subaru WRX STI break the record?

Travis Pastrana finished his run with a time of 5 minutes, 28.67 seconds. That is more than 16 seconds faster than his previous record. His time also put him over 45 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. Needless to say, Pastrana was quite happy with the performance of the car.

“New record in the books!” said Pastrana. “This car is the perfect machine to do it. Coming off a second-place finish at Goodwood I really wanted to set a new record here to show what the car could do in the right environment. Luckily we really had good weather this year and I knew if I could get a clean run in, I’d have a great shot at the 5:44 time. So much fun and I can’t wait to do it again next time!”

Something tells us that when Pastrana is ready to make his next run on Mt. Washington, Subaru will have an even more unbelievable machine at the ready for him to pilot. We can’t help but be curious as to how they will top the Airslayer Subaru STI.

RELATED: Why Did a 1998 Subaru Impreza STi Just Sell for $312,555?

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This is How F1 Teams Interpreted the 2021 Rule Changes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

F1 was geared up to introduce a technical regulations overhaul in 2021, but the global pandemic said “not so fast” and put a pin in it until next season. Despite this F1 still implemented a few changes for 2021, intended as tweaks to the 2020 cars. Thankfully, F1 teams discovered new advantages with these minute regulation changes. The first-ever cost cap looming over their shoulders didn’t seem to phase them. Mark Hughes goes into detail on what teams did to combat the rule changes that came in 2021.

Suspension migration

Lewis Hamilton at the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix | PETER KOHALMI/AFP via Getty Images

In 2020 Mercedes was able to shove the rear suspension farther towards the back of the car. This freed some room around the diffuser for more aerodynamic influence. The following season Formula 1 implemented a token system regulation to restrict how teams instate certain changes. If teams were going to replicate what Mercedes did, they would have to do it with the restriction in place. Red Bull, Ferrari, and Alpine all came up with solutions, which involved tucking in the rear suspension by reconfiguring existing pick-up points. 

Changes to the floor

Max verstappen at the hungarian grand prix
Max Verstappen competes during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix | FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images

For 2021 regulations, F1 banned a massive section of the floor, from the middle all the way to the rear tires. This meant removing floor slots and louvers as well as restricting the diffuser strakes and brake duct winglets. Strakes are ridges that stick out to improve aerodynamic stability. 

These changes eliminated the vortices needed to suck the car to the ground. Teams got creative and recreated the vortices with wavy aero bits underneath the underside of the floor. Mercedes had multiple variations, including one for Silverstone, according to Hughes. 

Red Bull’s shark teeth and Ferrari’s front wing

carlos sainz jr at the hungarian grand prix
Carlos Sainz Jr competes during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix | PETER KOHALMI/AFP via Getty Images

For Monaco, the Red Bull cars got layered fins resembling shark teeth along the edge of the diffuser. By Austria, the fins had gone the width of the entire diffuser. The layers create vortices, which then use a gurney flap to continue up to higher ride heights, keeping the aerodynamics effective even with an extreme rake angle. Ferrari made changes elsewhere, specifically with its front wing. Underneath the nose is a “dead zone”, where the air gets trapped and becomes useless. Ferrari added a cape underneath that area to redirect the trapped air toward the underfloor. 

F1 rules and regulations are like inkblots. It’s black ink on white paper, but each team sees it differently. F1’s rendition of the 2022 car was unveiled a few weeks ago, but how the teams interpret the rules undoubtedly will yield something much different, as is the case with any extensive rule change.

F1 cars today aren’t allowed to use the floor of the car for aerodynamic purposes, so the cars have winglets to compensate. Next year’s floor changes could see the end of these winglets. As always, the teams will have to get creative, and for the first time, with a restricted budget. Big teams like Mercedes and Red Bull will show just how resourceful they can be.

RELATED: How Was Sebastian Vettel Disqualified Because of Fuel?

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Can I Buy a Car Without a Title?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a used car for a private party can lead to a lot of money saved in addition to plenty of potential pitfalls. One example would be if the seller doesn’t have the title to the car that you want to buy. But is that something that you should walk away from, or is it possible to buy a car without a title?

Why wouldn’t the seller have the title to the car?

A customer at the Fresh Auto car dealership. | (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)

If you’re unaware of what a car title is, also known as a “pink slip”, it’s a document that declares the vehicle’s legal owner. According to Autoblog, there are some cases where the car’s title may have been misplaced, damaged, or stolen – but it’s also possible that the vehicle itself is stolen. The issue with buying a car without a title is that you need the car’s title in order to register it in your state. And while buying a car without a title comes with extreme caution, it’s still possible.

How to buy a car if the seller doesn’t have the title

Classifieds vehicle ads
Classifieds vehicle ads | Getty Images

If you find a car that you really like online and the seller clearly states that it doesn’t have a title, then here are some steps that you can take before pulling the trigger:

  • Obtain a vehicle history report: A vehicle history report from sites like Carfax or Autocheck can confirm the vehicle’s legal status. A vehicle history report can tell you pertinent information like the car’s odometer readings, its title status, as well as any previous accidents, so it’s a good first line of defense in figuring out if the car was stolen.
  • Contact the DMV: You can also check with your local DMV office to find out more information on the car using its vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Check with the NICB: The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) can tell you if the car was reported stolen or salvaged as well.

Autoblog notes that if the vehicle passes all these checks and there aren’t any red flags raised, then you can proceed with the sale. However, there are more steps to follow.

A ‘bill of sale’ can complete the purchase

When proceeding with a no-title sale, it’s important to write out a “bill of sale” with the seller in order to complete the transaction. You can do so by following these steps:

  • Write the details of the sale: Include the car’s VIN, mileage, and the sale price of the car. Also include other information like if the car is being sold “as is” and if the seller will supply the title later on.
  • Fill out the buyer’s and seller’s complete information: It’s important to include the both parties’ legal information including full addresses, phone numbers, and legal names on the bill of sale.
  • Pay the seller: After getting a proper bill of sale filled out, be sure to pay the seller using  form of payment that can be traced later on, if needed. Use a bank draft or check that you can refer to, or you can even makes a sales agreement that puts the money in escrow if the seller says they will give you the title later.

The seller can request a duplicate title

A car on the showroom floor
A car on the showroom floor | Getty Images

Another way to buy a car without a title is to have the seller request a duplicate title from the DMV. Autolist notes that they will need to provide the VIN for the car, the name and address of the titleholder, the car’s mileage, and proof of ownership. It can take a few days for the new title to arrive, but in this case, it’s important to not hand the seller any money until they have the car’s title in hand.

Get a surety bond

After you have procured a proper bill of sale, you’ll need to take it to the DMV, along with all of the other necessary documents. The DMV will then send you a letter stating the amount of the vehicle surety bond that you need to purchase from an insurance company. The surety bond ensures that the vehicle is clear of any liens so that you can be its new owner. Once you buy the surety bond, you can then apply for a bonded title that shows you as the new owner.

Is buying a car without a title worth it?

A client looks at a used car for sale at the AGAT Profi dealership.
A client looks at a used car for sale at the AGAT Profi dealership. | (Photo by Dmitry RogulinTASS via Getty Images)

Cars that are sold without titles are usually a lot cheaper than those that come with them. However, the steps that you need to complete to legally buy one, in addition to the added cost of the fees, might not make it worth it in the end.

In any case, if you plan to buy a car without a title, you should ask yourself if you want to go through all of that hassle to get it legally registered. If the car seems worth it, then do it. But if not, then you might be better off buying a car with a title. It could save you a lot of headaches, and even some money, in the long run.

RELATED: Do You Know Where Your Car Was Built?

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The Wienermobile vs the Nutmobile: A Food Car Faceoff

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Everyone remembers the moment they saw the classic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile on the road, which has been around since 1936. But there’s a new peanut in town, and it brings with it the Planters Nutmobile. And because I love unnecessary comparisons, today we’re looking at these two food cars to see which is best. To do that, we’ll be looking at what’s under the hood, as well as what you’re paid to drive them.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile | Bill Uhrich via Getty Images

The Wienermobile’s experience brings it many modern gadgets

Since its conception in 1936, the Wienermobile has had time to evolve into a respectably modern car. Most of the Wienermobiles shuffling around the states were built in 2004, but there are also a few from 1995 designed by Harry Bradley. Regardless, these revivals of the Wienermobile have clocked thousands of miles, and to do that, they needed proven technology.

In terms of engine, the Wienermobile has a 6.0L Vortec engine from Chevrolet, fitted to such cars as the Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Yukon XL, as well as others listed on GM Authority. But that power gives the Wienermobile a staggering 300 horsepower. Though the four-speed Chevy transmission is slightly dated, and I’d imagine that even with all that power, the Wienermobile wouldn’t be a screamer.

That said, it’s packed with other comfort features, including seating for six Hotdoggers. There’s also a removable sunroom (or bunroof), a backup camera, and even solar panels. That way the Oscar Mayer jingle can be played without using any battery. Though we’d imagine hearing it on repeat would get old fast.

The Nutmobile is the newer kid in town, but steps up to the plate

Mr. Peanut And The Nutmobile
Mr. Peanut And The Nutmobile | Planters

Well, we say newer, but the Nutmobile was actually conceived in 1935. However, it didn’t get revitalized unti 2002, where it debuted in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parage. The Nutmobile of today was built in 2014 and is 26 feet in total (one foot shorter than the Wienermobile). This odd peanut car was designed by TurtleTransit, a company known for its promotional vehicles.

But despite promoting two different foods, the Nutmobile and Wienermobile have the same DNA. Under the shell is the same 6.0L GM-provided Vortec engine, but in the Nutmobile that manages anywhere between 322 and 360 horsepower. That’ll get the Nutmobile up to 80 miles per hour, enough to pass other slowpokes on the highway.

Though the Nutmobile has one leg up over the Wienermobile: the interior. It’s a creative, retro-themed environment with carpet on the walls. But what’s cooler is a full timeline on the ceiling of Mr. Peanut’s evolution (for context, the character was created in 1919).

Which foodmobile is the best?

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (top) and Planters Nutmobile (bottom)
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and Planters Nutmobile

At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter which mobile is best. Both are owned by Kraft Heinz, and often tour together for large events. The deciding factor between these two food-themed cars all depends on which you like more: hotdogs or peanuts.

With that said, if I had to drive one of these, I’d say the winner is the wiener. But this is solely on the basis of aerodynamics, engineering, and style. Though Car and Driver did get a chance to meet with the Peanutters driving the Nutmobile, who explained the driving conditions to be slightly treacherous. Though what would you expect from a 26-foot long peanut.

But unlike Planters, Oscar Mayer is taking applications for new Hotdoggers. If it’s your dream to drive across the country in a fiberglass bun, then send a cover letter to the good folks at Oscar Mayer. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up bringing hundreds of smiles per mile to hungry patrons across the country.

RELATED: Forget Ferrari. Two Wienermobiles Are For Sale!

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