Subaru S209 Restored: Emotional Tribute Six Years After Tragedy

Six years after Ryan Stewart's death at the hands of a drunk driver in May 2020, his rare Subaru S209 will return to the track this weekend. We Don't Lift Racing, an Arizona shop based in Tempe, completely restored the damaged vehicle to honor the memory of this enthusiast who never had the chance to attend his first track day.

"Ryan never got the chance to do his first track day. We were going to finish what he started, no matter the cost." — Ravi Tomerlin, We Don't Lift Racing

A Project Born From Tragedy

Ryan Stewart was meticulously preparing his S209 for track use when his life changed forever. In May 2020, he was changing a tire on the side of the road when a drunk driver hit his car. Stewart died instantly. The driver was sentenced to 18 months in prison for vehicular manslaughter.

Ravi Tomerlin, owner of We Don't Lift Racing, knew Stewart well. This regular customer had equipped his S209 at his shop. After the accident, the car sat in an impound lot for years during legal proceedings, exposed to the elements.

A Restoration Against All Odds

When Tomerlin finally recovered the S209, the condition was heartbreaking. The side impact had deformed the rear panel and C-pillar. Worse, years spent outdoors added rust to the accident damage.

The mechanic launches a GoFundMe to finance the work, but his decision is made: he will complete this restoration. "There was never any doubt in my mind," he explains. The rarity of the S209 — only 209 units produced for the United States — strengthens his resolve.

What's Left of the Original?

The damage primarily affects the left side. The rear panel and C-pillar are cut out and replaced with parts from a donor car. The left doors are also scrapped, along with the suspension on that side.

Good news: the carbon roof, a hallmark of the S209, remained unscathed. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 341 horsepower and all-wheel drive transmission are intact. The interior sustains minor damage, cleaned without major issues.

A Tribute on Four Wheels

This S209 wasn't just a collector's car for Stewart. He had it specifically prepared for track duty, adding necessary modifications at We Don't Lift Racing. His first track day was approaching when tragedy struck.

Six years later, the car reclaims its original purpose. Tomerlin documented the entire restoration on YouTube, showing the extent of the work required. From the bodywork to the chassis, every detail has been restored to like-new condition.

Why Was the S209 So Special?

The WRX STI S209 represented Subaru's most extreme version ever offered in the United States in 2019. Limited to 209 units, it produced 341 horsepower thanks to a reworked 2.5-liter turbo engine.

Unlike previous models, Subaru brought in its STI division in Japan to develop this version. Carbon wings, adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, limited-slip differential... everything was there to make this STI the ultimate track weapon.

The original price exceeded $65,000, nearly double that of a standard STI. Today, surviving examples command well above that figure on the used market.

An Emotional Weekend

This weekend will mark the completion of a multi-year project. Ryan Stewart's S209 will finally roll onto the track it never had a chance to experience. For Tomerlin and his team, it's far more than a simple restoration: it's a tribute to a friend taken too soon.

The car will finally experience the sensations it was designed for. Stewart would have surely appreciated knowing that his automotive passion would outlive him, carried forward by friends who refused to let his dream remain unfinished.

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