20 YEARS OF SUBIEFEST

LA Car of the Year

My first introduction to Subaru performance came when I was a judge for the Los Angeles Car of the Year back in 2002. 

The LA Car of the Year Award was the brainchild of the late John Retsek, the founder and an original host of KPFK’s The Car Show—now the longest-running program about cars on the air waves.

One of the LACOTY candidates that year was the new Subaru WRX, and I remember the cool air in the late evening when I took that car up one of LA’s rightward veering onramps to the sky, passing an eager Audi A6 on its left. The drive was exhilarating, and I marveled at the WRX’s grip around corners.

In a field of contenders that included the first-generation Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Corvette, the Subaru WRX was voted the overwhelming favorite by the judges to receive the Los Angeles Car of the Year Award (see LA Car’s 2006 interview, “John Retsek: The Car Show”).

Enter Subiefest

2006 is also the year local Subaru enthusiasts (mostly WRX and STI gearheads) gathered together for a regional meet in Southern California. That meeting marked the beginning of Subiefest.

Over the years, Subiefest has mushroomed into a multi-state, national festival series officially backed by Subaru of America. 

There is now a Subiefest Midwest, along with Subiefest Florida, and Subiefest Texas. 

On Satuday, July 25, 2026, Subiefest celebrated its 20th anniversary with Subiefest California at the Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia. It remains the largest gathering of Subaru enthusiasts on the West Coast.

Subaru of America Steps In

While Subiefest began as an independent enthusiast event, it received the support of regional dealers for local events. 

In 2017, Subaru of America took the giant step of serving as the title sponsor for Subiefest. This coincided with the celebration of Subaru of America’s 50th Anniversary.

It resulted in a material change in the event. The car company began flying out heritage vehicles to the event, including Japan market-only models like the 2001 Impreza S202 STI and the Subaru 360—the first Subaru sold in North America.

The corporate partnership with Subaru of America as the title sponsor now brings in factory prototype displays, historic movie cars, more opportunities to drive the current Subaru models, rides with professional racing drivers in race-prepared cars—not to mention the hefty financial backing of the car company to the festival circuit. 

Subie Events Across Six States

Today, Subaru of America is the title sponsor for several Subiefest events, as well as the Wicked Big Meet, and Boxerfest festivals.  

“Every year, the Subiefest event series continues to surprise, delight, and bring together Subaru enthusiasts from across the country. As a true can’t-miss celebration for the Subaru community, we are excited to welcome fans of all kinds to connect, explore, and create lasting memories,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.

The Best of Subiefest for 2026

This year’s Subiefest California was held on familiar grounds—the massive parking lot of the historic Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia. 

An exact official attendance count has not yet been released as of this writing, but it appears to have comfortably retained its title as the most populous Subaru festival for the western United States, let alone California.

The organizers were wise to shift the hours of the festival into an evening schedule (it opened at 3pm and closed at 10pm) to provide relief from the summertime Arcadia heat. 

By 5:30pm, the air was already cooling, and by 7:15, the sunset clouds cast a beautiful hue on the festival grounds. The evening schedule lent a touch of the popular Night Lights atmosphere that has been trending in Southern California. 

Main Attractions

Subifest California featured a full spectrum of attractions and events, including racing competitions, exhibits of special vehicle builds, professional dirivng demonstrations, X Games podium displays, an AWE Tuning Loudest Exhaust Competition, and endless vendors.

The Learning Curve

The learning schedule was jammed packed, with Subaru Motorsport USA’s Rhianon Gelsomino tearing up the Santa Anita grounds as part of “Rally 101”, a session on “Subimods”, LiquiMoly on hand on the benefits of oils and additives, and Annex Suspension on debunking coilover myths. 

Awards

Trophies, medals and other prizes were awarded to the top vehicles in model categories (the WRX category must have been massive).

A Special Bucky Lasek’s Choice Award was handed out. There were autocross awards. And of course an award was handed out to the winner of the loudest exhaust competition.

Full Circle

That US-debut of the 2002 Subaru WRX that ended up winning the Los Angeles Car of the Year Award was just the harbinger of things to come. The groundswell of popularity of Subaru as a performance vehicle culminated in today’s Subiefest—now 20 years strong.  

Subaru puppie lovers and mountain trekkers, make room for the tuners and high performers. This family keeps getting bigger.