Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde and my Impreza
21 October 2006, 02:15 AM
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Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde and my Impreza
In April 2001, I bought this pristine '98 GT SW:
Although not the most suitable "track day car", it was the perfect all-rounder: Daily driver, shopping, to work, and then at the track in the weekends.
All was well until February 2002, when I discovered the joy of driving on frozen lakes. Now I could enjoy my Impreza all year. It was hilarious fun, until I one day was passed by a Vauxhall Corsa. How could that be?! -A turbocharged AWD-car, humiliated by a shopping trolley?!
I soon enough discovered their secret - rally stud tires! Cheaters...!
A few calls later:
...and off we go:
Youtube, Ice track video 1
Youtube, Ice track video 2
The level of grip and control these tires give you on ice is amazing:
(AX22 data logger)
After a few meetings, I was starting to pass real 2WD/RWD rally cars. Their experience was not enough to level out the additional speed I gained by having AWD. I felt like Petter Solberg
So it was inevitable....
While exiting a corner at full throttle in 2. gear, a loud metallic explosion erupted underneath the car. Forward drive was lost, the car coasted to a stop. The gear lever was stuck, and then the gearbox was stuck.
I was at a mountain, it was was getting dark, the temperature dropped to -20 degc, it was 200 km back home - and my car wouldn't move. At that point I felt very lonely, as I waited 2 hours for the salve van to arrive.
Later that spring, a 6-speed conversion was received from API David:
While preparing to install the gearbox, I noticed an "unidentified" connector at the left side of the gearbox. Could it be...strange...is it really...why?....IT IS!!! DCCD!!!
-I didn't order a DCCD version, as it was too expensive. Lucky me...or?
Sure enough, the DCCD gearbox transformed the handling of the car:
Youtube video, Track day incident
This time - 350 km from home. Fortunately, it was drivable afterwards, but if my Impreza had had the gift of speech, I'm sure I would have been served a hail of obscenities. ".......sorry, I've never driven RWD cars before"
The front left frame was bent and had to be realigned in a jig.
I quickly decided that I couldn't leave the DCCD in open mode. That following Christmas, my parents gave me one of the best Christmas presents I've ever had: A Neetronics DCCD controller! I must have been a really nice boy that year
Equipped with high tech electronics and a high tech drive train, I set out to conquer the ice tracks. I was unbeatable! Sadly not so, at 90 Km/h compact snow feels like running into a concrete wall...
The following year, I drove my schizophrenic Impreza (Dr Jekyll aka AWD, Mr. Hyde aka RWD) with greater respect. As time passed, Mr. Neetronics and I learned how to control the schizophrenia and appreciate the option of switching personality based on demands. We never let Mr. Hyde take control in rainstorms, though
It was July 2006. I thought that I'd let Mr. Hyde play alone in safe and controlled conditions. + 20 degc, dry track, Toyo R888 tires. I shouldn't have, his sinister mind immediately grabbed the opportunity. Well, it was my fault. I served him the perfect opportunity by entering a corner at too high speed and completely off the "ideal line". I just HAD to pass that Honda NSX at the end of the start/finish straight... The rear end lost traction, speed was close to 170 km/h:
This time, it was 1000 km to home. The Impreza was not drivable....
October 2006
Repairs have begun.
New B-pillar
New right lower frame rail
New bonnet
New complete front bumper, headlights etc
New doors
New rear bumper
New rear wheel arch
I'm quite sure there'll be a follow up to this story
More details about this tormented Impreza at
H.M.Haga - homepage
Although not the most suitable "track day car", it was the perfect all-rounder: Daily driver, shopping, to work, and then at the track in the weekends.
All was well until February 2002, when I discovered the joy of driving on frozen lakes. Now I could enjoy my Impreza all year. It was hilarious fun, until I one day was passed by a Vauxhall Corsa. How could that be?! -A turbocharged AWD-car, humiliated by a shopping trolley?!
I soon enough discovered their secret - rally stud tires! Cheaters...!
A few calls later:
...and off we go:
Youtube, Ice track video 1
Youtube, Ice track video 2
The level of grip and control these tires give you on ice is amazing:
(AX22 data logger)
After a few meetings, I was starting to pass real 2WD/RWD rally cars. Their experience was not enough to level out the additional speed I gained by having AWD. I felt like Petter Solberg
So it was inevitable....
While exiting a corner at full throttle in 2. gear, a loud metallic explosion erupted underneath the car. Forward drive was lost, the car coasted to a stop. The gear lever was stuck, and then the gearbox was stuck.
I was at a mountain, it was was getting dark, the temperature dropped to -20 degc, it was 200 km back home - and my car wouldn't move. At that point I felt very lonely, as I waited 2 hours for the salve van to arrive.
Later that spring, a 6-speed conversion was received from API David:
While preparing to install the gearbox, I noticed an "unidentified" connector at the left side of the gearbox. Could it be...strange...is it really...why?....IT IS!!! DCCD!!!
-I didn't order a DCCD version, as it was too expensive. Lucky me...or?
Sure enough, the DCCD gearbox transformed the handling of the car:
Youtube video, Track day incident
This time - 350 km from home. Fortunately, it was drivable afterwards, but if my Impreza had had the gift of speech, I'm sure I would have been served a hail of obscenities. ".......sorry, I've never driven RWD cars before"
The front left frame was bent and had to be realigned in a jig.
I quickly decided that I couldn't leave the DCCD in open mode. That following Christmas, my parents gave me one of the best Christmas presents I've ever had: A Neetronics DCCD controller! I must have been a really nice boy that year
Equipped with high tech electronics and a high tech drive train, I set out to conquer the ice tracks. I was unbeatable! Sadly not so, at 90 Km/h compact snow feels like running into a concrete wall...
The following year, I drove my schizophrenic Impreza (Dr Jekyll aka AWD, Mr. Hyde aka RWD) with greater respect. As time passed, Mr. Neetronics and I learned how to control the schizophrenia and appreciate the option of switching personality based on demands. We never let Mr. Hyde take control in rainstorms, though
It was July 2006. I thought that I'd let Mr. Hyde play alone in safe and controlled conditions. + 20 degc, dry track, Toyo R888 tires. I shouldn't have, his sinister mind immediately grabbed the opportunity. Well, it was my fault. I served him the perfect opportunity by entering a corner at too high speed and completely off the "ideal line". I just HAD to pass that Honda NSX at the end of the start/finish straight... The rear end lost traction, speed was close to 170 km/h:
This time, it was 1000 km to home. The Impreza was not drivable....
October 2006
Repairs have begun.
New B-pillar
New right lower frame rail
New bonnet
New complete front bumper, headlights etc
New doors
New rear bumper
New rear wheel arch
I'm quite sure there'll be a follow up to this story
More details about this tormented Impreza at
H.M.Haga - homepage
Last edited by hmhaga; 28 January 2008 at 07:41 PM. Reason: Video links updated
21 October 2006, 03:28 AM
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You are so beautifully Scandinavian. You've got a great car and you use it properly. My wife is swedish, and I acnnot wait to take my wagon up to the north to play.
You are a star - keep beasting the scoob
You are a star - keep beasting the scoob
21 October 2006, 07:42 AM
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Great article Hans..........
My Stuff, MG, Subaru, Triumph, Kawasaki @ Fotopic.Net
The frozen lakes look excellent. How much does it cost to have a go on such a prepared track?
Nick
My Stuff, MG, Subaru, Triumph, Kawasaki @ Fotopic.Net
The frozen lakes look excellent. How much does it cost to have a go on such a prepared track?
Nick
21 October 2006, 09:34 AM
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Helo HMHAGA,
Brilliant! The Studs, are they on a seperate set of tyres or, do you have to fit them. If so how do you do it?
Really enjoyed that video.
Nice one.
Alan MaC
Brilliant! The Studs, are they on a seperate set of tyres or, do you have to fit them. If so how do you do it?
Really enjoyed that video.
Nice one.
Alan MaC
Looked like the Taliban were giving chase 
21 October 2006, 11:51 AM
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God dag fra Skotland Hans,
Hvorden star det til ?
Ok, that's as far as I can go in Norwegian ! Great post and vid. So are you going to invite all the scoobynet members to come up the ice lake for a play in your scoob ?!
Andy
Hvorden star det til ?
Ok, that's as far as I can go in Norwegian ! Great post and vid. So are you going to invite all the scoobynet members to come up the ice lake for a play in your scoob ?!
Andy
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21 October 2006, 01:31 PM
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are all scandinavians nutters? you've got a great sense of humour mate!
especially liked the 'Sure enough, the DCCD gearbox transformed the handling of the car' line followed by the vid of you stacking your car
keep up the good work
you've got a great sense of humour mate!especially liked the 'Sure enough, the DCCD gearbox transformed the handling of the car' line followed by the vid of you stacking your car
keep up the good work
21 October 2006, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan MaC
The Studs, are they on a seperate set of tyres or, do you have to fit them. If so how do you do it?
The16x7" wheels are too wide really, but it works. I've now sourced a set of 16x5.5" wheels for this season, which is the width they are intended for.
These tyres have very limited grip/stability when driving in a straight line. To gain speed/traction - you HAVE to go sideways with all four wheels spinning. Not recommended on pulic roads (but we had to refuel......)
Originally Posted by zr750nick
How much does it cost to have a go on such a prepared track?
22 October 2006, 10:25 PM
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Excellent post!
I too have experience of DCCD in open - cost my cousin £800 to have my rear end fixed after he removed it!
Be VERY careful in the wet - or move the wheel forward!
I too have experience of DCCD in open - cost my cousin £800 to have my rear end fixed after he removed it!
Be VERY careful in the wet - or move the wheel forward!
15 February 2007, 02:33 PM
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Time for an update.
June 2006:
At this point, I was seriously considering scrapping the car. Having it repaired at a bodywork shop at £80/hour would exceed the value of the car - AND the size of my wallet.
I parked the Impreza in a garage, and left it there until November 2006 - not quite sure what to do. Then fortunately, a friend of mine, who is a trained bodywork mechanic, offered to repair the Impreza. The car was then renamed to "The Bird Phoenix"
As this had to bee done in his spare time, it would take time...
November 2006:
As it turned out, the car/shell itself had survived the crash. All bodywork clearances/measurements and suspension alignment turned out to be ok - so repairs could begin. As I sourced many many second hand parts, I had to do a full respray. 1 blue door, 1 green door, 1 red door, 1 silver door, blue front and rear bumpers - and a black body. I would feel bad spending all that money without any visible difference afterwards, so I decided to respray in a new colour.
I also decided to do away with all of the the plastic styling, as it usually causes a "£60 plastic rivet bill" each track day. I was also lucky to source a new aluminium bonnet from Subaru (losing some of the weight added by the fat 6MT gearbox).
January 2007
February 2007
Respray finished!
Colour is Volvo Titanium Grey (455), why pick from the Subaru palette?
I'll have new and better quality daylight pictures when the car is finished, which will be in a week or two. I can hardly wait...
Absolute deadline is March 2., time for some ice track fun again
June 2006:
At this point, I was seriously considering scrapping the car. Having it repaired at a bodywork shop at £80/hour would exceed the value of the car - AND the size of my wallet.
I parked the Impreza in a garage, and left it there until November 2006 - not quite sure what to do. Then fortunately, a friend of mine, who is a trained bodywork mechanic, offered to repair the Impreza. The car was then renamed to "The Bird Phoenix"
As this had to bee done in his spare time, it would take time...
November 2006:
As it turned out, the car/shell itself had survived the crash. All bodywork clearances/measurements and suspension alignment turned out to be ok - so repairs could begin. As I sourced many many second hand parts, I had to do a full respray. 1 blue door, 1 green door, 1 red door, 1 silver door, blue front and rear bumpers - and a black body. I would feel bad spending all that money without any visible difference afterwards, so I decided to respray in a new colour.
I also decided to do away with all of the the plastic styling, as it usually causes a "£60 plastic rivet bill" each track day. I was also lucky to source a new aluminium bonnet from Subaru (losing some of the weight added by the fat 6MT gearbox).
January 2007
February 2007
Respray finished!
Colour is Volvo Titanium Grey (455), why pick from the Subaru palette?
I'll have new and better quality daylight pictures when the car is finished, which will be in a week or two. I can hardly wait...
Absolute deadline is March 2., time for some ice track fun again
Last edited by hmhaga; 15 February 2007 at 04:33 PM.
15 February 2007, 04:29 PM
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Right! These ice track/racing vids are banned from SN!!!
Too much fun being had without me
In the voice of a 12yr old "I wanna go ice racing" <stamp feet>
Too much fun being had without me
In the voice of a 12yr old "I wanna go ice racing" <stamp feet>
05 March 2007, 08:17 PM
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Finally finished and back on the road, just in time for the ice track fun 
But rather inconveniently, the cam belt idlers decided to pack up on me only two days before the event - but through some short cuts I managed to source new parts and spent the Friday evening in the garage.
But rather inconveniently, the cam belt idlers decided to pack up on me only two days before the event - but through some short cuts I managed to source new parts and spent the Friday evening in the garage.
![[MikeyB]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23a67f98' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
06 March 2007, 01:46 PM
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I have a second set of wheels for these tires:
The16x7" wheels are too wide really, but it works. I've now sourced a set of 16x5.5" wheels for this season, which is the width they are intended for.
These tyres have very limited grip/stability when driving in a straight line. To gain speed/traction - you HAVE to go sideways with all four wheels spinning. Not recommended on pulic roads (but we had to refuel......)
The tracks are already prepared for rally driver education, so they are there from late December to the end of March. We typically pay £40/car for a whole day, from sunrise to sunset. You are welcome to join in!
The16x7" wheels are too wide really, but it works. I've now sourced a set of 16x5.5" wheels for this season, which is the width they are intended for.
These tyres have very limited grip/stability when driving in a straight line. To gain speed/traction - you HAVE to go sideways with all four wheels spinning. Not recommended on pulic roads (but we had to refuel......)
The tracks are already prepared for rally driver education, so they are there from late December to the end of March. We typically pay £40/car for a whole day, from sunrise to sunset. You are welcome to join in!
could you send some details of were you and the ice circuits are in norway,thankyou