From the early age of 5, Ray has always loved the racing scene. With 15 years of experience working with International Motorsport, he has taken part in building some of New Zealand’s most impressive race cars. It is evident of his experience in the way that Ray built his Subaru RA spec-C while keeping the pedigree of the WRX.
As we sat down with Ray, he told us how he has no particular love for any specific make or model. All he wanted was something rare and something to keep the passion alive, “the skies the limit” he told us. We loved talking to Ray as we asked him what he had loved the most and should have kept. He told us all about his ’67 998 Cooper which he thought he would be buried in, unfortunately this was stolen and Ray needed to move on to bigger and better things. We’re glad to see the passion is still alive in such a long run in the motor industry and with a Monte Carlo replica Mini in progress, right down to the last nut and bolt. It will be one to keep an eye out for.
With Ray’s race history, in charge of many International Motorsport race teams, he was used to admiring this kind of action. With Ray seated behind the wheel, we could tell his days for racing were calling.
The Pig is from a Manga magazine, that was started in 1980 and featured Akira before it was made into a movie. It was also where Initial D was first published. It’s not really a rally pig at all. It has nothing to do with rallying other than it was a silly looking thing to have on the side of the Subaru WRC cars. The Subaru community has adapted it and made it a symbol of our sub-culture.
“Really, the drive is the build and full enjoyment of putting together a good piece of machinery and seeing it last”.
Keeping it as close as he can to a traditional rally car, Ray has added certain features, like this Sparco rally steering wheel.
“Most of it comes as you see it. Just a few safety items added. Roll hoop hopefully to hold your head together if you go over”.
As all the die hard Subaru fans know, only the spec-c models came out with pink lower STI struts.
Paying no attention to the wheels, wanting only to keep the gold for the original Subaru look, he was able to pick up 2-3 sets of these O.Z racing wheels.
It was a great pleasure talking to Ray about his car and experiences with International Motorsport and race history. We can’t wait to see what else will be coming out of his shed.
Drive Train
EJ207 2.0L Boxer 16v Engine
IHI Vf-34 Turbo
Guru equal length headers with port matched and flowed up pipe
STI 3″ down and mid pipe
STI grip-n panel filter
Samco TMIC hose kit
Custom fab TMIC
GFB response BOV
STI GRP-N cambelt
Bosh motorsport coils
NGK iridium spark plugs
STI GRP-N ECU with torque performance reflash
STI strut brace
Cusco master cylinder brace
Exedy sport clutch tuff cover
STI GRP-N clutch plate
Exedy chromoly lite weight fly wheel
ARP bolt kit
GFB 6MT super short shift kit
Kartboy bushes
Odyssey 5kg gel battery
Pro drive battery clamp
Armtec battery isolator
Walbro 500Hp intank pump
Exterior
White
Pro drive v7 WRC f Bumper
STI GRP-N side skirts
STI V7 rear wing
Prodrive v7 WRC carbon mirrors
Prodrive WRC carbon roof scoop
STI GRP-N Rally mud flaps
Lite werxs projector lamps
Prodrive WRC style projector headlight buckets
Supporter stickers
Interior
Stripped interior
Chromoly 4 point roll cage
Schroth 4 pt 3″ belts
Firefighter plumbed in extinguisher system
Sparco WRC rally wheel
D1 Q/R steering cupler
WRC style flocked dash
Tri gauge cluster
Standard STI bucket seats
Push start
Wheels / Suspension / Brakes
Ohlins 52mm USD adjustable platform front struts
GAB adjustable platform rear struts
GAB springs and helpers all round
STI GRP-N pillow bar rear arms
PBMS rear diff support
DBA 320mm F rotors
Padgid RS29 pads
OZ racing 17 lite weight wheels
Feature By
Photos – Jared Donkin
Write Up – Luke Wolfkamp
Location – Huia, West Auckland
