Tarmac campaigner — and star of the build series

Betsy

The rounder-nosed GD that Subaru fans clock instantly. Ask "who is Betsy?" and the answer is a whole YouTube series.

The Shakewell Racing Subaru WRX STI cornering on an autumn tarmac mountain road at the Great Alpine Rally 2026

Spec sheet

Chassis
GD-generation WRX STI, 2004–2005 "Blobeye" range
Engine
EJ257 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer four — rebuilt at Ichiban in the S01 build series
Driveline
Symmetrical all-wheel drive
Duties
Australian Tarmac Rally rounds and tarmac events; shares spares and knowledge with Hawkeye

Who is Betsy?

Betsy arrived as the second GD in the fleet and immediately earned a five-episode build series: an engine out, a trip to Ichiban for a heart transplant, decked heads, and a gearbox verdict that deserved its own episode title.

The build story

The 2026 tarmac season: character-building

Days before the Mt Buller Sprint season opener, Betsy dropped an engine. We rebuilt in time to start, fixed a boost leak with a zip tie mid-event, went genuinely quick for one run — and then the turbo let go 13 km into a 15 km stage. The Great Alpine Rally followed the same script: pace, then another turbo.

The worst Valentine’s Day ever

The honest ledger

Two rounds of Australian Tarmac Rally, two blown turbos, and about $30k for less than two days of racing. We wrote it all down because that is what this project is for — the real version of privateer motorsport, not the highlight reel.

The cursed Alpine, in full

Starring in