Quick Facts
- The Film: Gymkhana Aussie Shred is the high-octane finale to Travis Pastrana’s trilogy, featuring world-first stunts across Australia's most iconic landscapes.
- The Machine: The "Brataroo" is a custom-built 670HP Subaru GL Wagon/BRAT hybrid with a 9,500 rpm redline and active aerodynamics.
- The Stunt: A record-breaking 160-foot jump across a 10-story deep canyon gap over an Australian road train.
- The Race: The film serves as a massive hype-builder for the 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship, kicking off in May 2026.
I’ve seen a lot of things in my years covering solo expeditions and off-the-beaten-path madness, but watching a vintage 1979 Subaru BRAT clear a ten-story canyon gap over a massive road train is something that sticks in your soul. It’s loud, it’s unhinged, and it’s quintessentially Travis Pastrana. For a decade, the Gymkhana crew has been trying to crack the code on Australia’s notorious "anti-hoon" laws to bring the world’s most famous stunt series to the Land Down Under. In 2026, the wait is finally over.
Gymkhana Aussie Shred is Travis Pastrana's third and final film in the Gymkhana series, featuring high-octane stunts across iconic Australian locations like Sydney Harbour and Mount Panorama. This isn't just a goodbye to a series; it’s a love letter to a continent that lives and breathes motorsport. From the red dust of the Northern Territory to the technical asphalt of Bathurst, Pastrana has pushed the limits of physics one last time.
The Return of the King: Gymkhana Hits Australia
The energy on set was electric, a mix of "I can't believe we're allowed to do this" and "don't look at the police." Australia has long been the white whale for the Gymkhana franchise. The country’s strict road safety laws and "anti-hoon" stance meant that closing down major infrastructure for tire-shredding antics was a logistical nightmare. But with the backing of local authorities and a desire to showcase Australia’s grit, the "Aussie Shred" was born.
Pastrana’s return to the driver’s seat follows his previous stints in Gymkhana 2020 and Gymkhana 2022. This third installment feels different. It’s more personal. There’s a sense of finality in every slide and every redline shift. We aren’t just watching a driver; we’re watching a master of his craft take a final victory lap through some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.
Meet the 'Brataroo': A 670HP Masterpiece
While the locations are spectacular, the real star of the show is the "Brataroo." Built by the technical architects at Vermont SportsCar (VSC), this machine is a fever dream of 1970s nostalgia and modern aerospace engineering. It’s officially a reimagining of the 1979 Subaru BRAT, but under that retro skin lies a purpose-built weapon designed to fly—literally.
The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is a custom-built stunt car by Vermont SportsCar, delivering 670 horsepower with a 9,500 rpm redline and active aerodynamics, inspired by the 1979 Subaru BRAT. During my time inspecting the car in the pits, the sheer complexity of the active aero was mind-boggling. When Pastrana hits a jump, the rear wing and front flaps adjust in milliseconds to keep the car level in the air.
The Brataroo Specs
- Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four boxer engine, turbocharged to the heavens.
- Power: 670 HP / 680 lb-ft of torque.
- Redline: A screaming 9,500 rpm that echoes off canyon walls.
- Aero: Active carbon-fiber wings that act like plane rudders during flight.
- Chassis: Full tubular space frame with long-travel suspension for those massive landings.
Watching this thing spit fire from its top-exit exhaust while screaming at 9,000 RPM is a visceral experience. It’s not just about speed; it’s about the violence of the power delivery. The 680 lb-ft of torque ensures that the Brataroo can break traction on command, even on the stickiest Australian tarmac.
Beyond the Outback: Iconic Locations and Insane Stunts
The film takes us on a whirlwind tour of the continent. We start in the shadows of the Sydney Opera House. Seeing Sydney Harbour transformed into a drift pad is surreal. Usually, this area is crawling with tourists and commuters; for "Aussie Shred," it became a playground of smoke and screaming rubber.
But the heart of the film lies in the Red Centre. This is where the statistics move from "impressive" to "impossible." The Brataroo completed a record-breaking 160-foot jump across a 10-story deep canyon gap over an Australian road train. For those who aren't familiar, a road train is a massive multi-trailer truck that defines the Australian Outback. Clearing one of these behemoths while suspended over a literal abyss is the kind of stunt that makes your stomach drop just watching the playback.
The stunts don't stop at jumps. In a nod to the local culture, Pastrana takes the Brataroo "water skimming" across a shallow billabong, using the massive tires and high-speed momentum to hydroplane across the surface. It’s a trick usually reserved for dirt bikes, but in the hands of Pastrana, a 3,000-pound Subaru becomes a Jet Ski.
We also see a pilgrimage to Mount Panorama, the "Blue Mountain" of Bathurst. This is sacred ground for Aussie motorsport. Pastrana’s high-speed drift through the Dipper and down Conrod Straight—hitting speeds that would make a V8 Supercar driver sweat—is a highlight that pays perfect homage to the track's history.
A Star-Studded Lineup: Cameos and Cultural Homage
A Gymkhana film is never just about the driver. It’s about the community. "Aussie Shred" features a "who’s who" of local legends. Two-time Dakar winner Toby Price makes an appearance on his trophy truck, creating a dual-vehicle jump sequence that looks like something out of a video game.
We also see cameos from Chris Atkinson, Australia’s most successful rally driver, and the guys from Mighty Car Mods, who bring a bit of DIY "street cred" to the high-budget production. One of the most entertaining segments involves a rolling drag race on Conrod Straight against a grid of V8 Supercars, ending with the inevitable Aussie tradition: the "shoey." Watching Travis Pastrana chug a celebratory drink out of a sweaty racing boot is the most "Australia" moment in the entire film.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship
While the film is a standalone masterpiece, it also serves as a massive promotional vehicle for the future of Australian racing. The energy from Gymkhana is feeding directly into the 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship. This new series is designed to bring that same high-energy, accessible racing to fans across the country.
The 2026 Motorsport Australia AU4 Championship consists of five rounds from May to September, visiting tracks including Winton Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, and The Bend. It’s a bold move to revitalize the local open-wheel and touring scene, and the interest generated by Pastrana’s film has already sent ticket inquiries through the roof.
The 2026 AU4 Championship grid expects a combined field of up to 22 vehicles, including 12 Gen2 F4 cars and 10 Gen1 vehicles. This mix of new tech and established platforms ensures a "ladder" system for young Aussie drivers looking to follow in the footsteps of legends like Oscar Piastri or Daniel Ricciardo.
2026 AU4 Championship Calendar
| Round | Date | Location | Track Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | May 15-17 | Winton Raceway | Technical/Tight |
| Round 2 | June 12-14 | Sydney Motorsport Park | High-Speed/Flowing |
| Round 3 | July 10-12 | Queensland Raceway | Strategy-Heavy |
| Round 4 | August 07-09 | The Bend Motorsport Park | International/Modern |
| Round 5 | September 18-20 | Phillip Island | Iconic/Ocean-side |
For fans who grew up watching Gymkhana on YouTube, the AU4 Championship represents a chance to see that level of precision driving in a wheel-to-wheel competitive format. The series is leaning heavily into the "festival" atmosphere, with stunt shows and fan zones mirroring the chaotic fun of the "Aussie Shred" film.
FAQ
Is this really Travis Pastrana’s last Gymkhana film? Yes, Pastrana has confirmed that Gymkhana Aussie Shred is his final planned project with the franchise. He’s looking to focus more on his family and his Nitrocross racing series, though he’ll likely never truly stop doing stunts.
Where can I watch the full Gymkhana Aussie Shred film? The film is available on the Hoonigan YouTube channel and various Subaru global social media platforms. It's free to watch and features over 15 minutes of non-stop action.
Can I buy a Subaru Brataroo? Unfortunately, no. The Brataroo is a one-of-one custom build by Vermont SportsCar. However, it has inspired a wave of "BRAT-style" builds in the aftermarket community, and Subaru continues to draw design inspiration from its heritage for modern special editions.
Ready to witness the madness?
If you haven't seen the film yet, clear your schedule. It’s more than just a car video; it’s a masterclass in car control and a farewell to an era of stunt driving that changed the internet forever. And if that's not enough, keep your eyes on the 2026 AU4 Championship—the next generation of Aussie shredders is just getting started.
Watch the Full Film on YouTube →
Get Tickets for the AU4 Championship →
Stay wild out there, folks. I’ll see you at the track in Winton.
— Marcus Rivera
