F1 star Liam Lawson auctions customised Subaru Forester for Youth Mental Health

Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson is auctioning his customised Subaru Forester to raise funds and awareness for the I AM HOPE Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting youth mental health in New Zealand.

Currently listed on TradeMe, the auction for the unique Forester will close on the charity’s big annual fundraiser, Gumboot Friday on November 7th. The car is officially the first car owned by Lawson in New Zealand and comes with unique features including his personal race number and signed dashboard.

Since purchasing the 2000 Subaru with sidekick Matt Stevens, they have transformed the Forester with an original 234,000kms on the clock into something very special.

“We wanted to really push the project and make the car as cool as we can and then auction it for I AM HOPE. A lot of people have a connection to the charity, or have some experience with, myself included,” said Lawson of the project.

Lawson, well known for his love of car culture, chose the Forester because it’s a favourite model for customising among young males who are often over-represented in sad outcomes from mental health issues and he hopes this will shine a light on the hope that the foundation offers to thousands of young Kiwis every year.

The project has been a long time in the making. Lawson and Stevens originally started the project before Lawson was promoted to a full-time Formula 1 racing seat. With all the demands of F1, Lawson hasn’t been able to return to New Zealand as often as he’d like but the project has slowly been coming together in his absence.

“It’s been a far longer project than I ever imagined but I’m excited that it’s finally going to auction. There’s been a few dramas along the way but finally it’s ready to go and 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,” said Lawson.

Mike King, founder of I AM HOPE, said: “This is Kiwi generosity at its best: a much-loved first car rebuilt into thousands of minutes of free counselling. Liam, Matt and their crew have taken a passion project and made it a lifeline for our kids. If you bid, you’re not just buying a car – you’re buying time with a counsellor when it matters. Getting your hands on an awesome car and helping kids at the same time is a no-brainer. Thank you to Liam and Matt for their incredible effort.”

A unique Collaboration for a Worthy Cause

A number of New Zealand suppliers came onboard with Lawson in the rebuild of the Subaru Forester which has traveled less than 1,000km on a brand-new engine. The full engine rebuild and performance installation was carried out by Possum Bourne Motorsport, who have also tuned the car to 300WHP.

Subaru New Zealand supported a new ‘heart’ for the Forester and generously supplied a new W20C short block with genuine Subaru components and hardware supplied by Winger New Zealand. It is also fitted with a brand new genuine Subaru STI turbo (VF34).

With Lawson out of the country Stevens has run the project solo to get the car ready for auction and he’s 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. 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,” he quipped.

“Whoever is the successful bidder on this car is guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind vehicle. After seeing this transform from what we started with it’s kinda sad to see it go, but it was always intended to be donated to I AM HOPE so I’m just pleased we finally nailed it,” added Stevens.

“So many people and businesses kindly supported us, I only hope I’ve remembered everyone. Just a huge thank you to all those who came on this journey which has taken longer than we expected but I’m so glad we’ve got it ready for Gumboot Friday this year.”

Among the list of makeover improvements already fitted to the Forester are 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 a new intercooler and clutch.

To make the Forester look smart, brand new wheels and semi-slick tyres have been supplied by BG World Wheels, Kartboy short shifter, a cool 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 completely wrapped in satin dark grey. Sponsorship from the Porter Group covered all 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 Pukekoke.

Lawson and Stevens have created a very unique vehicle and as Liam’s very first registered car in New Zealand, it could well end up in a private car collection, with all the profits going to the I AM HOPE charity.

The auction listing on TradeMe closes at 7pm on Gumboot Friday November 7th, the weekend Lawson races in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

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Performance & Handling:

• Brand new Subaru W20C short block, generously supplied by Subaru New Zealand.

• Miscellaneous genuine Subaru components and hardware supplied by Winger NZ.

• Full engine rebuild and performance installation by Possum Bourne Motorsport, who have also tuned the car to 300WHP.

• Brand New wheels and Semi Slick tyres from BG World Wheels

• A standalone Link G4X Plug In ECU and associated components from Link ECU

• Kelford Cams EJ20 performance camshafts with full valvetrain upgrade – springs, Titanium retainers, guides & seals.

• New Whiteline sway bars and strut brace

• Kartboy Short Shifter

• Naughty Knobs NZ Shift knob

• New Turbo Back Exhaust System

• Brand New Genuine Subaru STI Turbo (VF34)

• High flow fuel pump

• ARP Head Studs

Cosmetic

• Cruz roof racks and Yakima roof box that were kindly donated and professionally fitted by Roof Racks NZ.

• Car Detailed (Interior and exterior) and Ceramic Coated by Cutting Edge Detail Pukekohe

• Sponsorship from the Porter Group covered compliance and associated build costs, with additional support from Crème Insurance.

• Car has been wrapped in Satin Dark Grey