Strength in numbers: Subaru Scoobyfest

The Subaru faithful will be gathering on Saturday March 21 for the annual Scoobyfest – a celebration of Boxer engines and Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, and also a rich heritage of making cars that are anything but run of the mill.

And, fittingly, this year it takes place at Red Star Raceway, the challenging four kilometre race circuit near Delmas, a venue where the traditional Subaru attributes can be shown off to best effect. Some 150 entries of all types are expected, but many more spectators will arrive in Subarus, with the highlight being the presence of the new WRX (a finalist in the 2015 Wesbank SAGMJ Car of the Year Competition) and also the giant-killing WRX STI. For those who like to use AWD to turn the rough into the smooth, Subaru Southern Africa will show off the brand-new Outback range, which reached showrooms just before the gathering.

For the first time, there will be a 4x4 facility as part of the activities, situated at an adjacent quarry and aimed specifically at the growing number of Outback and Forester owners who are joining the club.

“This is our sixth annual Scoobyfest and our first at Red Star,” Says Wayne Hay, chairman of the Subaru Owner’s Club of South Africa’s Gauteng branch, which organises the event. “We like to enjoy our cars in their natural environment, and Red Star is perfect. But it’ll also be a great day for the whole family with plenty of attractions for the kids – including pedal go-karts and an inflatable swimming pool.”

Activities will include the ever-popular skidpan gymkhana, ‘hot’ laps of the circuit, and a couple of opportunities for the fast guys to test their mettle. This includes elimination drag races, and a ‘time attack’ on Red Star’s short circuit.  A well-stocked canteen will take care of food and drink requirements.

Adds Ashley Lazarus, Marketing Manager of Subaru Southern Africa: “The Subaru Owner’s Club of South Africa plays an important role for our brand: they are thought-leaders, influencers and ambassadors and we place great stead in what they are doing and saying. Their passion, enthusiasm and sense of community is a constant reminder that Subaru is an extraordinary product and a brand like no other.”

The club ethos is summed up in a simple statement: it’s All We’ll Drive…

Entrance to Scoobyfest is free, but taking part in any driving costs R150 for SOCSA members, and R250 for others. Passengers on all activities pay R50 for an indemnity, and don’t forget to bring your own helmet for the track sessions! Entries must be done on-line (there are no entries on the day) so go to www.socsa.org.za if you want to take part in the formal activities.

The GPS co-ordinates for RSR are S 26° 04’ 30.9”, E 028° 45’ 20.0”. Alternatively, from Johannesburg take the N12 heading towards Emahlahleni (Witbank) and exit at the Dryden/Groenfontein off-ramp.