RallyCross 101

Last year I decided on a whim to drive out to Byron and watch the Milwaukee SCCA RallyCross kick up some dirt. That event was all I needed to decide that RallyCross was something I wanted to try. I spent about 8 months being too nervous to sign up for an event, until I saw the post for RallyCross 101. That was exactly what I needed to not feel nervous about trying something new. For a mere $50.00 - I was committed.

First, I want to give a big shout out to the guys in charge of the event. This was their very first introductory event which combined classroom time, hands on learning the basics, and a beginners course. They were short staffed on instructors and the schedule was about an hour off - but overall didn’t seem to bother the students that much. If those were the only two areas of improvement, I’d call the event a huge success!

Classroom time!

Classroom time!

I wasn’t the only newbie from Chitown Subarus on the course. Robert made time between two long work shifts to get some seat time.

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“The hype meets the expectations, as RallyCross 101 proves to be such a fun learning experience that you’d come back for more. I think that the event teaches you so much more about control than power, that I didn’t even think I knew my car at all. The instructors were well versed and polite, giving us advice every step of the way while still letting us have fun overall. They were also right about one thing though, do one event and you’ll instantly be sold.”

Sounds like I’ll be seeing Robert and his 2016 WRX again at RallyCross events in the future!

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I hope they do another RallyCross 101 event next year. It was very welcoming, relaxed, and absolutely perfect for someone like me who’s a little nervous to try something new.

Looking to get in to RallyCross but not sure where to start? All you need is a car that’s not going to fall apart and the willingness to try something new. No fancy equipment or modifications required!

Is the Milwaukee region too far? Check out Indiana Northwest Region SCCA RallyCross.

Rain Won't Stop Us - 2019 Chitown Subarus BIG Meet

The 2019 Chitown Subarus BIG Meet in Itasca, Illinois brought yet again another awesome turnout. Hundreds of Subaru owners originating from what Jesse Walters of JW Severe Weather would call the “Greater Chitown Subarus Metropolitan Area” showed up despite some gloomy weather. Chitown Subarus has members from not only the city proper, but also includes all of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio.

Photo credit to Mac Matza

Photo credit to Mac Matza

Photo credits to Daniel Duran, Allen Troz Spensley, Devin Smith, Rostik Krysko

It was chilly, cloudy, drizzly and yet 600+ Subaru owners proved once again that weather doesn’t scare them. We filled the lower lot, the roof of the parking garage and even spilled over into the lower level of the garage.

Subaru owners and their families were able to enjoy food from The Cookout on Wheels and Two Wheel Tacos.

Photo credit DelishIsh

Photo credit DelishIsh

Mid-afternoon it was all overcast and had started to drizzle which certainly made for some really neat photos!

Photo credits to Rostik Krysko, Mac Matza,

Another successful BIG Meet in the books. See you next year!

Video credit to Mitchell DeMaeyer

2018 Chitown Subarus Big Meet Drew Record Crowd

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In case you missed it, the Chitown Subarus Big Meet was held on April 28th. We drew a record crowd at the DeVry campus in Addison, IL. Over 650 Subarus, 1,000 people and 50 dogs gathered together to start the season off right!

The line to get in. | Photo credit: Mike Foss

The line to get in. | Photo credit: Mike Foss

Special guests, VIP and car show participants arrived early. We had some enthusiastic members show up early too, and in no time the lot started filling up with Subarus!

Many members brought their dogs to the Big Meet. | Photo credit: Nick Sylvester

Many members brought their dogs to the Big Meet. | Photo credit: Nick Sylvester

In addition to hundreds of Chitown Subarus members, the Big Meet gathered Subaru clubs from around Chicago and surrounding states. Car clubs in attendance included MtnRoo Midwest, Northwest Indiana Subaru Owners (NWISO), South Side Subarus, Fl4t Society, Chitown 86, Chitown Foresters, Gateway Subies, and more. Many attendees were members of multiple groups.

Photo credits: Rico Dadivas, Mike Foss

Once parked, members could roam the expansive lot to check out all the cars and clubs, but many quickly made their way to the CTS tent. The merchandise table was packed all day! It was a joy to see so many members wanting to show off their Chitown Subarus pride. Shirts and stickers were the hot items. Hats and lanyards were available in limited qualities. Two handmade blankets were for sale too.

 Next to the group tent was a raffle drawing, stocked with some really cool items donated by our generous sponsors. The raffle table was made possible by Dave and Busters, DirtFish, Fortune Auto, K1 Speed, and Stroud Built.

$500 off labor and a one-off skateboard deck were the hot raffle items. | Photo credit: Mike Foss

$500 off labor and a one-off skateboard deck were the hot raffle items. | Photo credit: Mike Foss

In short, the day was filled with making new friends and catching up with old ones.

In case members got hungry, we had a food truck on site. The line for The Cookout on Wheels was long all day. Too long. The food truck sold out of most of their menu! We planned for 400 cars and 600+ showed up. In short, we could have used another food truck.

The line for the food truck was long. Too long. | Photo credit Mike Foss

The line for the food truck was long. Too long. | Photo credit Mike Foss

For the first time ever, the Big Meet included a car show. All 40 spots were sold out a week before the event. Entries ranged from fully prepped rally cars to 86s scraping the ground with their wide body kits. Below are some of the unique cars that attended the Big Meet. (Includes show cars, VIPs and standard attendees)

The car show winner. Connor Algier and his turbo Rocket Bunny FR-S represent Vaded Mob. | Photo credit: Rostik Krysko

The car show winner. Connor Algier and his turbo Rocket Bunny FR-S represent Vaded Mob. | Photo credit: Rostik Krysko

The winner of the car show was Connor Algier with his red turbocharged Rocket Bunny Scion FR-S. (Note: The FR-S, Toyota 86s and certain Saabs are considered honorary Subarus by CTS. If it has a boxer motor, you're in the club.) 

The successful day ended with the raffle drawing. In the end, everything ran smoothly.

From all of the admins of Chitown Subarus, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who attended (especially our sponsors), DeVry University for graciously hosting us, and the Addison Police and Fire Departments. It was a pleasure to put on this event. We look forward to doing it even bigger and better next year!

Here's to many more years of bringing the community together.

Video courtesy of Nick Sylvester

Chitown Subarus Winter Karting League Off to a Fast Start!

Monday evening marked the start of the third annual season of winter karting events for CTS. This year an exciting new twist has been added, a points series to crown a season champion. The event drew a crowd of enthusiastic Subaru owners and their friends to the K1 Speed location in Addison.

photo credit: Lincoln Seabrooks

photo credit: Lincoln Seabrooks

Once everyone arrived, run groups were set up with the K1 staff. Then people who were interested signed up for the championship and participants were given  custom event stickers to adorn their helmets.

Photo credit: Nicole Frahm

Photo credit: Nicole Frahm

With the paperwork out of the way it was then time to race! For the racing everyone drove together, both people competing in the championship as well as those who were there just to have a good time. As has become tradition the event consisted of 3 races for every participant. As a result of attendance there were multiple run groups which have everyone time to watch their fellow competitors drive as well as chat about strategy and everything else that gets discussed at a typical car meet.

After the dust settled, times were collected and the winners were crowned. This was made easier since CTS members set the fastest times of the week on that track therefore K1 did most of the work for us.

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This event's winner was Allan S, but the competition was fierce with all 10 championship competitors within a half a second of one another!

As for the championship, six events are planned, points will be F1 style and based on competitors fastest lap of the day. In order to help accommodate members busy schedules the lowest 2 event scores will be dropped.

Our next event will be held on December fourth as the same Addison K1 location, but on other track.

Hope to see you all there!

Stanley Z