Subaru Solicits Extreme Owner Videos. Minds Blown.

"Driving Sports TV" (drivingsports) 11/01/2013 at 10:27 • Filed to: Subaru, Contest, Extreme, Bucky Lasek, 2015 Subaru WRX

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Honesty, I can’t believe Subaru corporate is doing this. For the company that for years avoided showing any extreme driving in their commercials (yes, they even avoided showing rally), this is a huge jump (pun not intended.)

Subaru of America is running a contest only open to WRX, STI and BRZ owners where they are asking owners to “upload videos showing driving chops.” Like, seriously, doing donuts and stuff.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The company that, only a few years ago, used what was clearly a computer-generated WRX to promote a new vehicle because “that was how it would get past legal” is now asking owners of their performance cars to upload videos showing “driving chops.” When I was talking to their agency there was a very long pause after they used those words. I had to confirm that was what they said.

Maybe years of involvement with X Games has finally swayed them, or maybe Bucky hosted an all-rager at Lasek Land for the legal team. However it came about, it seems that that Subaru is finally embracing its wild side. Finally.

Speaking of Bucky, here’s where he is officially involved: winners of this official Subaru owner’s contest will join X Games Gold Medalist Bucky Lasek in a special “DoubleURXXX” video production with all expenses paid. I’m guessing the new 2015 WRX will be involved... somehow, but I wasn’t able to get any more details out of corporate.

This is why I’m posting about it: this needs to be successful. This needs to see a massive response from owners. Why? From Subiesport Magazine to Driving Sports , Subiesport TV and Launch Control , I’ve worked with the Subaru team for almost a decade. They’s smart, progressive and I’ll bet anything marketing had to fight tooth and nail to make this possible for owners. Plus, dude, hanging out with Bucky for an all-expense paid trip to... somewhere? Yeah, that’s not bad either.

Legal did manage to rubber stamp some restrictions, like you have to 18 or older and a resident of the US. You can read all the details at the page for the production company they set up for this gig: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . You’ll also need to enter the VIN of your car to qualify and enter the site. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Cut-off is November 10, 2013!!

webmonkees > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 10:35

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Their login page has the best invalid password response.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 10:59

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Sounds like they re baiting owners into invalidating warranties

Squid > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 11:01

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By chance they wouldn't use the VIN info to deny warranty claims now would they?

Driving Sports TV > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/01/2013 at 12:41

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Paranoid post is paranoid.

Driving Sports TV > Squid 11/01/2013 at 12:43

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That would be the best way to blow years of customer loyalty. I can't see why that would make sense at any corporate level. Costs way more to gain and retain customers than Subaru would "save" from denying any warranties based on a contest.

NaturallyAspirated > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 12:46

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If I knew a couple of CHiPs, I would stage a chase scene with my '98 Legacy just to see what their legal team thinks of that.

highmodulus > Squid 11/01/2013 at 12:59

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SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 13:47

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Is my tin foil hat showing again?

Driving Sports TV > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/01/2013 at 14:24

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Exactly. :p

Squid > Driving Sports TV 11/01/2013 at 15:12

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I know that it would be a stupid thing for them to do. I just thought it would be a funny drawing from what Mitsubishi did to Evo owners. . . One day I'll have a subie.

webmonkees > Driving Sports TV 11/03/2013 at 01:41

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No extreme driving?