|
|
Time to read 9 min
There is no official playbook for being a Subaru enthusiast. There are no set of rules, no guidelines for individuality, uniqueness, or creativity. The most freeing aspect of membership in our community is the pure desire to express yourself through your vehicle, its performance - no matter what genre you choose - and its overall personality, whether you are from the city, country, or suburbia. When you are exposed to this vast community of experienced drivers, life-long owners, and excited new-comers who spend time, money, and energy living the life they love, you cannot help to appreciate how important it is for this spirit of individuality to shine and be supported by peers and competitors alike. When an enthusiast comes along who is re-writing the script of what outsiders may think is textbook behavior and pursuit, it is almost our duty as fellow members to stand up, stretch our necks, take notice, and point our fingers, not in judgement, but in praise. This support of diversity and individuality is what makes our community so powerful and inspiring. Crossing paths with spirited people who think differently is not only infectious, but it is necessary.
When an individual has several gifts that are exercised well while they live as an active practitioner, even the most distant spectator will have a sense of their presence. We see this at every event as the most talented raise their heads above the crowd and show their true metal behind the wheel and how they interact with the community. Some of these individuals show their experiences through the lines on their face, the dirt under their nails, and the pure love they have in their eyes for the lifestyle. These are the individuals we should allow to magnetize our pursuit, assist in our purpose, and help to inspire our journey so we can obviously learn about success, but also learn about failure. A true native of the state of Virginia, long time explorer of the automotive world and extreme enthusiast Chaz Kingrea has learned a lot about his life standing trackside, under the hood, and through the windshield of many a performance vehicle. Many could say that his first breath inhaled an air of both performance and adrenaline which remained in his system for life. "I’ve lived in Fluvanna County my entire life.", Chaz said with pride. "I’ve loved cars as long as I can remember, and my dad raced Sprint cars when I was young." Two sentences that clearly mark his legitimacy to those inside or outside the enthusiast world.
Kingrea's love affair with all things automotive obviously began early as his channel of influence ran directly from family to soul during his childhood. "My dad raced Sprint cars when I was young," Chaz remembered. "He had a 2000 Impreza RS that he began modifying when I was growing up." While in the midst of any great origin story, it is always exciting to hear how an enthusiast's first stepping stones were laid down to guide the path and direction toward one's Subaru modification journey. Chaz was in the middle of a cycle, not just watching with anticipation, but by getting his hands dirty early and becoming immersed in the lifestyle by simply appreciating what his dad was pursuing during his life and seeing the rewards he was gaining. "I was given my first Subaru, which was the 2000 Impreza RS, by my dad in 2015.", he said with fond reflection. "The Impreza was my first performance car... I installed an upgraded clutch and a 75 shot of nitrous all when I was only in high school." Whether you are a novice enthusiast at the beginning of your journey, or an experienced lifer who has seen your fair share of modifications, the vision of a teenage Chaz undertaking his first modification and deep dive into amplifying performance should not only be inspiring, but also an example to pass along to other young automotive lovers.
Most of the origin stories we share begin and end the thread populated with similar models and platform types which, to some, may show how the specific enthusiast focused their desire to pursue and obtain the one dream car that they had set their young mind on years ago. This is not an oddity or something to look at as even average behavior, but it is a common course. Reading about someone falling for a WRX as a pre-teen then growing up to own, modify, and cherish their dream car is generally how the story goes. Glancing at Kingrea's beginnings quickly then tuning the page may cause most to assume that he followed the same path as everyone else. This is what makes him so interesting. Being gifted with that first Impreza RS ignited the spirited fuel poured in by the experiences shared with his father. His individuality, ingenuity, and creativity soon followed alongside his unique sense of choice that came from a view a few degrees to the left. His first purchase choice, considering the profile of his first real car, might seem unorthodox to some, but an incredible artistic leap for others. "The first Subaru that I purchased was a non-turbo 2005 Subaru Forester with a manual transmission in 2017.", he remembered. "I love wagons. I love the way the Foresters look in comparison to the WRX wagons."
This important purchase led him on a path of learning, experiencing, and experimenting. His love for the overland icon and interest to always learn more has helped him develop an organic brand expertise through years of practice and wrenching that other enthusiasts should use as a positive example. "I have done extensive modifications to multiple Subarus that I own including Auto to Manual transmission swaps and converting one to rear wheel drive.", Kingrea explained. Combining a pure desire to make things stronger, perform better, run more efficiently, and drive faster are components of the enthusiast soul, but sometimes might fall quiet depending on motivation or passion in the individual's heart. Having the ability to make something happen is not the same as standing up, declaring that you've accepted the challenge ahead, and taking the steps forward to both learning about and implementing the actions needed to succeed. Kingrea has through pure practice and confidence pushed forward onto another road and genre with a platform that stands out only because of his vision, belief, and experience gained by doing, not just dreaming. "I believe that I am of a high degree of enthusiast, I absolutely love these cars and the community surrounding them.", he added. His relationship to the Forester would expand as he took bolder, more confident steps as an innovator.
As we move forward in this timeline, but not following the somewhat predictable recipe that is expected, Chaz is confronted with another overland vehicle that will not only become his most challenging and rewarding venture, but will also define his persona as an envelope pushing creative who yearns to think with adventure and innovation through the products he chooses to champion. Purchasing his 2004 Subaru Forester XT would put him on a launchpad of education that definitely places him in a channel slightly more illuminated than his peers. "I bought the 04 Forester XT in 2020 and have been modifying it since - but it has been through many different stages since then.", he said proudly. "I am very experienced with Subarus now being at a dealership for 4 years and almost at Master Tech level." Like any other serious modification journey, nothing great comes without challenge and even extreme stress before seeing all your visions fall into place. Kingrea's new project was no different. "Originally, I bought it with a used built engine that the previous owner severely overheated without my knowledge, which resulted in a blown head gasket that caused internal engine damage.", Chaz explained. "I also had the bell housing break where the clutch pin slides into, so I had to replace the transmission's bell housing."
Obstacles and uphill climbs are often the catalyst for victory to the determined and passionate competitor. Experience and drive moved Chaz to follow his script and move forward with a positive attitude and guidance through the most difficult steps under some very discouraging conditions. "I did most of the work myself," he said proudly. "I chose IAG for most of the engine components because of their proven performance and reliability at a Motorsport level. The rest of the parts I chose based on research I did and what would work best for what I was doing and within my budget.", he added. "I had Bespoke Performance and Fabrication assemble the long block, I put everything else on it and installed it in the car, and then took it back for them to pro tune it." Chaz is obviously focused on the progression of his build and his dream to push his vehicle to its fullest potential, but also to set a clear goal to prove his innovative path in the competitive space which comes with additional planning, investment, and determination. "As of now, the modifications I’d like to add to the Forester are a full roll cage, hydro hand brake, rotated turbo set up, fuel surge tank, an IAG destroker, and straight cut gears," he confirmed. "The ultimate goal for my Forester is for it to be a competition drift car that I can take to places like GridLife, Hyperfest, and smaller drift competitions," he said. With motorsports at the top of mind, Chaz speaks out his intentions out clearly.
Like any discerning Subaru lover and performance seeker, Kingrea made his choices carefully and systematically to ensure his chariot could be all he needed and wanted to be now and into the future. "I bought a lot of my parts from Subimods because they regularly have exactly what I need in stock and they ship very quickly.", he said with confidence. "I also love their helpful customer service, how involved they are in the Subaru community, and their participation in motorsport events," he added. "I absolutely love Subarus and the community surrounding them."
MODIFICATIONS:
Does Chaz Kingrea's story give you inspiration and drive to modify your Forester?
Take a look at the wide range of aftermarket parts and accessories for the Subaru Forester in the Subimods catalog to update and fulfill your dreams. Pick out some new exterior upgrades, lighting, and protective options to keep your Forester safe, secure and comfortable wherever adventure and performance spirit leads.
Check out our product gallery below to sample a small selection of quality products:
Please reach out to our team with your interest or to ask specific questions about the information covered in this article. We would be very interested in your thoughts and would be glad to help as much as possible.
For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform.
Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear your opinions.
THANK YOU!
Bryon Turcotte - Managing Editor/Writer
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
