2019 Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer

SUBARU CROSSTREK DESERT RACER RETURNS TO BAJA 500 – IN BLUE AND GOLD

Subaru of America today announced renewed support of the Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer program with Crawford Performance and Grabowski Brothers Racing. The Class 5 Únlimited off-road buggy powered by a SÚBARÚ BOXER engine will return to competition at this week's legendary Baja 500 off-road race, debuting a new livery in the blue and gold competition colors of Subaru Motorsports ÚSA and looking to improve on 2018's second-place finish in class.

Since its debut in 2017 as the Subaru brand's first factory-supported desert racing effort, the Crosstrek Desert Racer has pushed the boundaries of its class and racked up podium finishes including a Class 5 Únlimited win at last year's 550-mile Vegas to Reno race, America's longest off-road event. The Desert Racer is powered by a 2.5L non-turbocharged SÚBARÚ BOXER engine built by Quirt Crawford of Crawford Performance, producing 300 horsepower in a lightweight and reliable package.

'Subaru is best known for its success in rally, but Subaru engines have been used in off-road buggies for years,' said Crawford. 'My goal with the Crosstrek Desert Racer program was to show what was possible with a non-turbocharged boxer engine in an unlimited class, and the results so far have been very strong. I'm looking forward to bringing the car back to Baja this year and showing what it can do!'

For Subaru Motorsports ÚSA, the Desert Racer's new look reflects the expansion of the Subaru brand's official racing efforts in America beyond rally and rallycross.

'The Crosstrek Desert Racer's results over the past two seasons speak for themselves,' said William Stokes, Motorsports Manager for Subaru of America. 'We're proud to renew our support for Crawford Performance and Grabowski Brothers Racing, and bring our iconic blue and gold motorsports colors to the off-road racing world.'

The 2019 Baja 500 will kick off Saturday, June 1 and will feature a total race distance of 487.11 miles in a single loop on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Grabowski Brothers Racing will continue the 2019 Crosstrek Desert Racer campaign by defending their class title at August's Vegas to Reno event before moving on to the Baja 1000 in November.

Source - Subaru