Taking pictures Gymkhana 2022 was a scramble

“Gymkhana 2022” was a worthy addition to the favored gymkhana viral video collection began by Ken Block, with loads of insane stunts carried out by Travis Pastrana in his 1983 Subaru GL wagon known as the Household Huckster. However almost each stunt within the video nearly did not occur.

Subaru of America’s “Launch Management” YouTube present is doing a three-part behind-the-scenes look known as “Highway to Gymkhana 2022” displaying simply how a lot of a scramble it was to beat accidents, mechanical points, and plain previous dangerous luck. Be aware that this second episode was filmed earlier than the loss of life of collection creator Ken Block.

The issues began when Pastrana was injured trying a BASE soar off a constructing in Fort Lauderdale for the video. A parachute malfunction led to a tough touchdown, which left Pastrana hospitalized and put capturing on maintain for six months. Regardless of being bedridden, Pastrana was remarkably upbeat, owing to his years of expertise placing his physique on the road.

“Travis has an uncommon quantity of expertise being injured,” William Stokes, Subaru of America motorsports supervisor, mentioned within the video. So he had no downside getting again behind the wheel after his restoration.

As soon as filming restarted, there was a difficulty capturing a drag race between Pastrana and YouTube persona Cleetus McFarland, who drove a 3,000-hp Chevrolet El Camino. A fault within the Chevy’s engine mapping meant it refused to launch onerous, after which the Household Huckster developed issues as effectively. This was particularly problematic as a result of the race was being filmed on a closed public avenue, with solely a restricted period of time obtainable to get the shot.

One other time constraint was daylight. By the point every little thing was set as much as shoot Pastrana performing stunts in tandem with a monster truck, the solar was happening and the clock was ticking. That left time for 2 or three makes an attempt, which may simply get eaten up throughout a number of takes on the lookout for the fitting digital camera angles, or by mechanical points. 

In that high-pressure scenario, Pastrana clipped a concrete barrier, damaging the suspension and rear axle. Switching to rally pit crew mode, Subaru’s mechanics descended on the wounded automobile and received it working once more in time to get the shot.

In the event you’ve seen “Gymkhana 2022,” Subaru’s behind-the-scenes movies are positively price watching to see simply how a lot effort goes into making one thing as harmful and unpredictable as a gymkhana video.