Lawson selling car for charity
Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson is auctioning the first car he officially owned in New Zealand to raise funds and awareness for the I Am Hope Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting youth mental health.
The customised Subaru Forester is being auctioned on Trade Me and bidding closes on November 7, which is the same day as the charity’s major annual fundraiser, Gumboot Friday.
The vehicle comes with a number of unique features, including Lawson’s personal race number and a signed dashboard.
Subaru of New Zealand has backed the fundraiser by supplying a new Subaru W20C short block, while genuine Subaru components and hardware have been provided by Winger New Zealand. The car is also fitted with a new genuine Subaru STI turbo (VF34).
Jerry Delaney, general manger of Inchcape New Zealand, distributor of Subaru in New Zealand, says the brand was proud to support the worthy cause.
“Supporting youth mental health in our country is something the majority of Kiwis hold dear to their hearts,” he adds.
“Subaru of New Zealand was more than happy to get on board and help drive this amazing Subaru Forester project Liam and his sidekick Matt Stevens have completed.”
Since Lawson and Stevens purchased the 2000 Subaru Forester, which has 234,000km on the clock, they have transformed it.
They chose the Forester because it’s a popular model for customising among young males, who are often over-represented in sad outcomes from mental health issues.
“We wanted to really push the project and make the car as cool as we can and then auction it for I Am Hope,” explains Lawson.
“A lot of people have a connection to the charity, or have some experience with it, myself included.”
“I hope we can raise not only awareness for the I Am Hope charity, but also shine a light on youth mental health, especially young men, at a time of the year when the Gumboot Friday is in full swing.”
The Forester has travelled less than 1,000km on its new engine, with the full engine rebuild and performance installation carried out by Possum Bourne Motorsport, which also tuned the car to 300WHP.
Stevens has had to run much of the project solo, with Lawson out of the country competing in F1, and is impressed with the final outcome.
“Customising a car like this is not without issues along the way but I’m confident we have something unique now,” he says.
“With over $25,000 spent on the car over and above all the performance parts that have been kindly donated, it’s probably the world’s most expensive Forester.
“Whoever is the successful bidder on this car is guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind vehicle.”
Improvements fitted to the Forester include adjustable coilover suspension, new Whiteline sway bars and strut brace, new Turbo Back exhaust system, high flow fuel pump, ARP head studs, a standalone Link G4X plug-in ECU and associated components, performance camshafts with full valvetrain upgrade – springs, titanium retainers, guides and seals from Kelford Cams, and new intercooler and clutch.
New wheels and semi-slick tyres have been supplied by BG World Wheels, Kartboy short shifter, a shift knob from Naughty Knobs NZ, Cruz roof racks and Yakima roof box donated and professionally fitted by Roof Racks NZ and the car has been wrapped in satin dark grey.
Sponsorship from the Porter Group covered the compliancing and associated build costs with additional support from Creme Insurance. The interior and exterior of the car has been detailed and ceramic coated by Cutting Edge Detail Pukekohe.
