The primary goal for this space is to preserve the knowledge of Subaru cars, motorsports, and the enthusiast culture around them. Over the last few years, I've noticed that many Subaru fans in the English speaking world seem to be completely unaware of one of the most influential and important figures in the early development of Subaru motorsports. Prior to Prodrive and the immensely popular Colin McRae, Noriyuki Koseki (小関典幸) and his company KIT helped demonstrate the motorsports potential of Subaru and their 4WD technology. Last fall, I had the opportunity to visit KIT Service and document some of the historic vehicles associated with Koseki.
Near to Subaru's main factory complex in Ota, KIT's shop is home to a wide range of Subaru, acting as a sort of museum of the brand and Koseki's motorsports activity.
These days, Noriyuki's son Takayuki Koseki (小関高幸) runs KIT Service. His father was called boss or “Oyabun,” so his nickname is “Koyabun,” kid boss. He was gracious enough to show me around for a few minutes and talk about some of the special cars that KIT has been involved with over the years.
One of the most unique is their Alcyone (XT) gymkhana car, the EVA 88D. Only the roof and windshield remain of the factory body, and the EA82T power plant has been moved behind the driver seat powering the rear wheels via a custom transmission. A product of Japan’s bubble era, this prototype has a striking presence with the black silhouette accented by the orange stripe and EVA text.
After sitting for decades, the gymkhana prototype has lost a lot of its luster. While it would be quite the undertaking, maybe this can be KIT’s next restoration project?
Another highlight was this FJ1600 open wheel racer, powered by an EA71. FJ1600 operated from 1980 to 2009, an analog of other junior formula series such as Formula Vee and Formula Ford. Like those series, it helped those interested in open wheel racing enter with more affordable entry-level vehicles.
Displayed inside the shop are a few of KIT's original wheels, a design which was used on many of the Subaru rally cars in the 1980s. Many other items from years past can be seen around the lobby, creating an atmosphere of true automotive enthusiasm.
This car has been restored to original rally specification, complete with twin carburetor EA. Famed Kiwi rally driver Possum Bourne cut his teeth on a second generation Leone (AB5) like this one. At the time, 4WD rally cars were relatively uncommon and the Group B Audi Quattro had only just come onto the scene a couple years prior.
Subaru were early to the game of putting power to all 4 wheels in passenger cars, especially doing so without the use of a truck-based 4x4 design. As a Fuji Heavy Industries test driver, Noriyuki Koseki saw the potential for 4WD in motorsports early on. He entered a Subaru Leone in the Baja 1000 in the mid 1970s, and co-authored a book on 4WD driving technique based on that experience.
Koseki-san also has a third generation RX Turbo sedan (AA5), another restoration of a period rally car. Seeing both of these Leones was absolutely magnificent, and I felt humbled to be not only in their presence, but also in the presence of someone whose father had shaped the identity of Subaru in motorsports. These cars solidified Subaru’s identity as a 4WD constructor in rally, but weren’t as successful as their competitors.
The most pivotal point in Subaru motorsports history was the founding of Subaru Tecnica International and the creation of four Legacy race cars for the 100,000km endurance record attempt. This white BC5 was one of the four cars built to drive for over 62,000 miles, reaching average speeds of 138mph in January 1989. The Type RA trim, which has been applied to multiple cars over the years, owes everything to these original record attempt Legacies. This accomplishment also proved the value of STI as Fuji Heavy Industries' official motorsports division.
Modified for maintaining high speeds around the Auto Test Center in Arizona, the signature center grille and wheels of this Legacy are optimized for aerodynamic efficiency. Despite car No. 2 hitting a rabbit whilst circling the track, it managed to complete the challenge with the fastest time. Four years before McRae's Rally New Zealand victory, these cars demonstrated that the new Subaru platform was a capable foundation for motorsports, a culmination of years of 4WD Subaru experience.
Although Prodrive and STI moved into the spotlight for rallying, KIT and the Subaru Motor Sports Group continued to compete in the annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb. Their entries over the years included an Alcyone, a Vivio, and a Pleo, an unusual assortment of vehicles to climb the 14,000ft mountain.
Noriyuki Koseki had participated in the annual Safari Rally since 1979, further bolstering Subaru’s motorsports portfolio. Koyabun garnered recent internet attention by restoring this yellow Safari Rally Vivio, one of several Safari Rally cars on the property. You can see the original shell parked in the lot outside, faded by the sun while it was displayed in front of the shop.
The 100,000km Endurance Challenge was not the only record attempt project. This second generation Legacy wagon was the world’s fastest production station wagon in 1993, tearing up the Salt Lake flats of Utah at 155mph. Considering it braved one of the most hostile environments for steel, it's impressive that the Legacy Touring Wagon is still in one piece.
KIT Service continues to participate in motorsports, running their BRZ rally cars in domestic rally events across Japan. Follow KIT on Twitter or check out their Ameblo page to see what they're up to! Huge thanks to Koseki-san for taking the time to talk and show me around. I hope to visit again sometime in the future!
Special thanks to Gojo Gingo (五条銀吾) and Iceman