Here he goes again - Travis Pastrana sets new Mt. Washington record!
Subaru driver Travis Pastrana set a new record of 5 minutes 28.67 seconds at the 2021 Mt. Washington Hill Climb on the way to an overall event victory at the wheel of the Airslayer STI, his 862-hp 2020 Subaru WRX STI.
The new mark cut more than sixteen seconds from his winning time from the 2017 running of the event up the narrow, steep and treacherous 7.6-mile Mount Washington road. Pastrana blitzed the mountain to set a time that was over 45 seconds ahead of the second-fastest competitor - you read that right!
The Mt. Washington Hillclimb, traditionally held every three years, is one of the most challenging motorsport events and the oldest hill climb in North America. In addition to its long history, the tallest mountain on the East Coast brings famously unpredictable weather and a mixed-surface road, forcing drivers to deal with grip levels that shift suddenly from tarmac to gravel and back again in the middle of the climb. With an average grade of 12% and an uneven surface bounded by serious drops above the treeline, Mount Washington requires courage, skill and the right equipment for the challenge.
The highly developed aero package on the Airslayer STI provided a significant downforce advantage against the 600-horsepower WRX STI rally car used by Pastrana to set the 2017 mark. Along with a huge power bump, major suspension advancements and an ultra-light curb weight, the Airslayer was custom-made for the wide-open nature of hillclimbs.
