How 845 Racing is Lowering the Barrier to Grassroots Motorsport

The off-season never really feels like downtime when you are trying to build something permanent. For years, 845Subie has been a dominant force in the Hudson Valley car scene—a tight-knit community built on Subaru Performance, DIY Tuning, charity meets, and a shared love for the boxer engine. But car meets and cruises are just the starting line.

There has always been a collective hunger in our crew to push our cars past the speed limits of public roads and onto a closed course. That hunger has officially evolved.

Introducing 845 Racing—a dedicated, structured race team born directly from the DNA of 845Subie, designed to prove that grassroots motorsport isn't a pipe dream for the average enthusiast. It is entirely possible, completely accessible, and it's happening right now.

People First, Pistons Second

If you’ve ever hung out with our crew, you already know the truth: the cars might bring us together, but the people keep us here. At its absolute core, both 845Subie and 845 Racing are driven entirely by community.

We love the engineering, the modifications, and the boxer rumble as much as anyone, but the real magic is the atmosphere we've built. It's the late-night garage builds, the trackside hangouts, the shared knowledge, and the genuine connections that form when a group of passionate people rally behind a common goal. We aren't just a collection of cars on a grid; we are a family. Whether you are running a fully prepped track weapon or showing up to support the squad in your daily driver, the energy and camaraderie are what truly define us. Most of the 845Subie and surrounding clubs already have built cars that can handle a lot of the demands the Autocross and or the Track can throw at it. Lets get them out there!

The Ultimate Proof of Concept: Sweeping the Grid

We didn't want to just launch a team on paper; we wanted to prove the concept where it matters. Our presence at regional events has been growing rapidly, fueled by that exact community energy. It was incredible to have Will join us at the races recently, stepping right into the mix and experiencing firsthand what the 845 racing family vibe is all about.

And speaking of putting on a show, we have to talk about what went down at Wicked Big Meet.

Representing the squad, Phil Gagnon in the number 12 car for 845 Racing put down an absolute masterclass on the track. He delivered a blistering, edge-of-your-seat run that cleanly secured him first place in class Stock Turbo.

The Drama at WBM: In classic racing fashion, a post-race scoring mishap temporarily threw a wrench into the official results. But instead of slowing our momentum, the ensuing drama and correspondence actually backfired in the best way possible—it catapulted Phil's popularity sky-high, making him an absolute crowd favorite and putting 845 Racing squarely on everyone's radar. Everyone knows who really won the stock Turbo Class at WBM!

Fueling the Grid: The Subimods Connection

The biggest barrier to entry in motorsport has always been cost and knowledge. It’s intimidating to roll up to an SCCA solo event or a high-performance track day (HPDE) not knowing if your brake pads will fade into a wall or if your oil pickup will starve in a high-G corner.

That is where our partnership with Subimods changes the game.

As a dedicated aftermarket powerhouse, Subimods provides the structural support, parts access, and technical reliability guides that grassroots racers need to build cars that are Street Bred, Track Ready. Having an industry heavyweight

backing the grassroots movement means our members aren't just guessing in their garages—they are building reliable, track-proven setups capable of enduring hot laps without blowing the budget. Recently 845subie was approached to promote the Gridlife Youtube Subimods series Advance Beyond The Grid. we reached out to our local clubs Saints n Sinners JDM, VB Mafia and RallyChix. We are gearing up for an Epic weekend there come to Lime Rock Park Aug 21-23.

From the Hudson Valley to the Big Leagues.

Let’s be honest about the dream. When we look at the peak of American Subaru motorsport, we look at Vermont Sports Car (VSC) and Subaru Motorsports USA. They represent the pinnacle—engineering madness, immaculate liveries, and factory-backed dominance.

Our goal with 845 Racing isn't just to mimic them; it's to get their attention by dominating the local ranks.

When a structured grassroots team shows up to local SCCA and track days with a unified presence, professional social media coverage, and an army of dedicated members, people notice. By building a legitimate team with real membership perks, structured track-day support, and heavy grassroots marketing, we create a platform.

Every time our local racers get a shoutout or a nod from the broader community, it elevates the entire 845 region. It shows the big leagues that the true soul of the Subaru brand isn't just winning championships on factory budgets—it’s alive and thriving in the hands of enthusiasts waking up at 5:00 AM to change tires in a cold paddock.

845 Racing is fundamentally an experiment in community power. This team structure is a vehicle to give local drivers the sponsor backing, media attention, normally reserved for high-dollar teams.

Whether you're a veteran track driver who can coach, a novice wanting to take your daily driver to its first SCCA Autocross, or a content creator who wants to capture the action, there is a place for you on the team.

The 845 Racing membership framework is designed to help you handle the logistical hurdles of racing so you can focus on hitting your apexes, dropping your lap times, and proving what a grassroots Subaru community can accomplish when we pool our passion together.

The builds are dialed in, the sponsors are locked, and the grid is waiting. Let's get it. Look for more information on the Roll Out of the club Racing team at the start of 2027!