Get ready to have your mind blown—Travis Pastrana’s latest Gymkhana creation is here, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Meet the 'Brataroo 9500 Turbo,' a Subaru Brat so extreme it’s been dubbed 'completely unhinged'—and that’s a compliment. If you thought his previous build, the Family Huckster, was wild, buckle up. This carbon-fiber-bodied monster just made its debut at the 2025 SEMA show, and it’s a game-changer. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this the most over-the-top Gymkhana car ever, or has Pastrana finally jumped the shark? Let’s dive in.
Built by the wizards at Vermont SportsCar (VSC), the Brataroo is a masterpiece of engineering and madness. Under the hood roars a custom 2.0-liter boxer engine, cranking out a staggering 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. Yes, you read that right—670 horsepower in a Subaru Brat. While the exact details of the turbo setup remain a mystery, one thing’s for sure: this thing is boosted to the moon. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a Sadev gearbox, ensuring every ounce of energy is put to good use.
But the real magic lies in the body. Crafted entirely from carbon fiber, the Brataroo features active aero elements that would make a fighter jet jealous. The front fenders have pivoting louvers to fine-tune airflow mid-drift, while the rear wing is fully adjustable—choose between a high-downforce monster or a smaller wing for, as Pastrana puts it, 'general tire-shredding antics.' Khyzyl Saleem, aka The Kyza, lent his genius to the widebody design, and the result is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
And this is the part most people miss: the interior is just as wild. Inside, you’ll find a restored factory radio and HVAC stack, but with a twist. The HVAC controls now adjust the active aero, while the radio and a Uniden CB are there purely for the nostalgia. Pastrana sums it up perfectly: 'This Brat’s completely unhinged—in the best way possible. It’s got the soul of a vintage Subaru with the tech to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done.'
The Brataroo stars in the latest Gymkhana installment, Aussie Shred, set to premiere in early December. Filmed in Australia, the video promises Pastrana’s signature blend of death-defying stunts and borderline reckless driving. But here’s the question: has Gymkhana peaked, or is this just the beginning of a new era of automotive insanity?
For now, we’re left to imagine what a 9,500 rpm boxer engine sounds like mid-drift. One thing’s certain: this car is a testament to what happens when creativity, engineering, and pure chaos collide. What do you think—is the Brataroo a masterpiece or overkill? Let us know in the comments below!
Photos by: Gymkhana
