The shooting of the movie Gymkhana 2022 was going on with great difficulty.

Posted on January 28, 2023
Modified
The shooting of the movie Gymkhana 2022 was going on with great difficulty.

"Gymkhana 2022" was a worthy addition to the popular Gymkhana viral video series started by Ken Block, full of insane stunts performed by Travis Pastrana in a 1983 Subaru GL wagon called the "Family Haulster." However, nearly all of the stunts featured in the video almost never materialized.

Subaru of America's YouTube show "Launch Control" offers a three-part behind-the-scenes look titled "Road to Gymkhana 2022." (This second installment was filmed before the death of Ken Block, the creator of the series.)

The problem began when Pastrana was injured while attempting to base jump from a building in Fort Lauderdale for a video. A parachute malfunction resulted in a hard landing, Pastrana was hospitalized, and filming was suspended for six months. Despite being bedridden, Pastrana was remarkably cheerful.

"Travis' experience with injuries is unusual," Subaru of America motorsports manager William Stokes says in the video. So he had no problem getting behind the wheel after his recovery.

When filming resumed, problems arose with the drag race filming of Pastrana and YouTube star Cleetus McFarland driving the 3,000-horsepower Chevrolet El Camino. The Chevrolet's engine mapping was faulty and refused to launch hard. This was especially problematic because the race was filmed on a closed public road and there was limited filming time.

Another time constraint was daylight hours. By the time everything was ready to shoot the pastorana performing stunts in conjunction with the monster truck, the sun was setting and the clock was ticking. This meant multiple takes to find the right camera angles, and mechanical problems could easily eat up the time.

In that pressure situation, Pastrana hit a concrete barrier, damaging his suspension and rear axle. Switching to rally pit crew mode, Subaru mechanics got into the damaged car and got it up and running again in time for the shoot.

If you've seen Gymkhana 2022, Subaru's behind-the-scenes video is definitely worth watching to get an idea of how much effort goes into making something as dangerous and unpredictable as a gymkhana video.

You may also like

2026Hyundai Palisade revealed with a box-shaped design, 9 seats
2026Hyundai Palisade revealed with a box-shaped design, 9 seats

Hyundai revealed a new generation of medium-sized SUV in its Palisade3 column.The SUV debuted late Friday in South Korea, and the version shown is for...

Dec 06

Electric Mercedes-Benz G-class will serve as the latest Popemobile
Electric Mercedes-Benz G-class will serve as the latest Popemobile

Mercedes-Benz Ceo Ola Källenius personally greeted Pope Francis and headed to the Vatican on Wednesday to hand over the keys to the Pope's new Popemo...

Dec 05

2025 DS N°8, French electric flagship, unveiled
2025 DS N°8, French electric flagship, unveiled

France's DS unveiled the N°8 on Thursday, an electric crossover with coupe-like styling, presented as the brand's new flagship and the first model po...

Dec 13


Trending

Mercedes-Benz Expands Manufaktur program and opens Customer Studio
Mercedes-Benz Expands Manufaktur program and opens Customer Studio

Mercedes-Benz is ready to take customer engagement and customization a step further.On Thursday, Mercedes opened Manufaktur Studio, while announcing c...

Dec 06

Ride the Prototype: The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is About to Right the Wrongs
Ride the Prototype: The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is About to Right the Wrongs

I gripped the door handle of the CLA EV prototype in the blowing Austrian Alps. I heard a click and felt a firm sensation in my hand. A good impressio...

Dec 13

Electric Porsche Macan Recalled for Headlights Too Bright
Electric Porsche Macan Recalled for Headlights Too Bright

Porsche is recalling 2,941 electric Macan crossovers because the headlights are too bright, which may reduce visibility for oncoming drivers and incre...

Dec 15