Travis Pastrana’s Aussie Shred Gymkhana Breaks New Ground

The Aussie Shred Gymkhana drops Travis Pastrana into some of Australia's most dramatic terrain and, in doing so, rewrites what a Gymkhana film can be.

Massive jumps, canyon launches and the retro-styled Subaru "Brataroo" combine to create one of the most ambitious stunt reels Hoonigan has ever produced.

Why Australia Was the Perfect Playground

Australia brings scale in a way few locations can: endless red-sand plains, sheer canyon walls and iconic circuits such as Mount Panorama.

The production leans on that scale to stage sequences you simply can't replicate at a closed urban course.

When the Brataroo sails across a canyon, you feel the distance and the risk, and that visual payoff is exactly what the Gymkhana formula needed.

Film crews had once hoped to shoot down under during Gymkhana Nine, but strict driving regulations blocked the plan.

A decade later, Hoonigan received a much warmer welcome.

According to co-founder Brian Scotto, the team was welcomed "with open arms," allowing them to address unfinished business and push the showmanship farther than before.

Car, Caliber, and Chaos: The Subaru Brataroo

At the heart of Aussie Shred is the Subaru Brataroo, a purpose-built, retro pickup that revs to a hair-raising 9,500 rpm.

Built by the same engineers who campaigned STIs in rally, the Brataroo blends raw mechanical temperament with chassis tuning designed for extreme manoeuvres.

That combination makes it the ideal weapon for Pastrana's aggressive driving style.

The car's flat-four character, high-revving, explosively responsive, lets Pastrana exploit the car's momentum in big jumps and tight transitions.

You hear the engine before you see the landing, and that aural cue heightens every near-miss.

Stunt Highlights and Technical Notes

Key moments include canyon launches, high-speed runs through red outback dunes, and choreographed scenes with V8 Supercars at Mount Panorama.

The film also mixes BMX and freeride elements to broaden the visual language of a Gymkhana movie.

On the technical side, expect a lot of suspension travel, reinforced roll cages, bespoke damping rates and precise weight distribution to control landings.

Camera rigs were pushed as hard as the cars, aerial drone choreography and gyro-stabilised car-mounted cameras produce immersive, high-g-force footage.

Pastrana's Swan Song — Pressure to Push Limits

Aussie Shred carries added emotional weight: it marks Pastrana's final outing in the Gymkhana series.

That reality sharpened the team's focus. "This combination of the unfinished business we had down under and this being Pastrana's last film in the series not only makes it very special to me, but also puts the pressure on to push the limits of what we could do both in the car and behind the camera," Brian Scotto said.

The result is meticulous planning combined with moments of genuine improvisation.

When a risk pays off, you feel it; when it doesn't, the film lets you see the thin line between spectacle and disaster — and that honesty strengthens the final edit.

Market Relevance and What It Means for Motorsport Media

Gymkhana has always occupied a niche between motorsport and viral entertainment.

Aussie Shred broadens that appeal by leveraging Australian motorsport credibility — V8 Supercars cameo appearances add context and attract a domestic audience beyond the franchise's usual fanbase.

For brands and content producers, the film is a reminder that authenticity still sells.

Technical credibility (real rally engineers, genuine race cars) married to cinematic scale makes for high audience retention and social shares — and that translates into value for sponsors and platform partners.

Future Outlook

With Pastrana stepping away from Gymkhana, the franchise faces a crossroads. Aussie Shred proves the format can evolve: bigger locations, interdisciplinary stunts and deeper technical storytelling.

Expect future Gymkhana entries to chase similar authenticity — and to pair stunt spectacle with richer motorsport context.

Verdict: A Gymkhana That Feels Fresh Again

Aussie Shred recharges the Gymkhana series. It keeps the raw energy fans expect while expanding the concept with new locations and vehicle chemistry.

The film's scale, technical competence and emotional stakes make it a standout — not just another viral stunt reel, but a well-executed chapter that respects both driver and machine.