World's Oldest Known STI Owner

Ron Billingham keeps on buying Imprezas / Subaru

Stay away from farmers markets

Not to sound ageist, but I tend to get a little nervous when I see someone over the age of 70 in line for their driver's license. Maybe there are some scars from my past I have not dealt with. Maybe I have covered too many stories about accidents involving confused seniors. South Park did an episode on this, called "Grey Dawn", where the licenses of everyone over 70 are pulled after a string of "senior moments" lead to the deaths of many of the town's citizens.

Ron Billingham wants to change my opinion about all that. The 77-year-old is being called "Subaru's oldest and most loyal Impreza turbo fan." The septuagenarian has just bought himself a Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK.

Some might be inclined to feel a little nervous about Billingham being behind the wheel of a car with a 4.8 second 0-60mph time. To put us at ease, one Subaru publicist tells me that Mr. Billingham has never been caught by a speeding camera.

But has Billingham ever gotten a ticket for going too slow? Or for plowing through a farmers' market? That's what I want to know.

Billingham, a retiree and car enthusiast, said, "I'm no boy racer, mind, but have been in the past." He stuck with the new STI mainly because he thinks the ride is smooth and comfortable, and it is relatively low maintenance. He has owned six other Subarus, including the Impreza WR1, and the RB320. His Type UK edition gets 296 horsepower and has a top speed of 155 mph. Soon his STI will be outfitted with 18" wheels and tires. Billingham will purchase the Prodrive Performance Pack for the Type UK if it becomes available.

"Your mum could drive it to the shops with no problems yet when you select ‘Super Sharp’ mode it’s like lighting the afterburner.”

Let's hope he remembers not to light the afterburner and drive straight into a 7-11.

Source: Subaru

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‘I’M NO BOY RACER’ SAYS SEPTUAGENARIAN SCOOBY FAN

Could 77-year-old Ron Billingham be Subaru’s oldest and most loyal Impreza turbo fan?

Berkshire dealer, Bulldog of Twyford thinks so and with Ron taking delivery of the latest new-shape Impreza WRX STI Type UK – his sixth sporty Subaru – there seems every chance he could hold the title.

The sprightly septuagenarian who regularly canoes and occasionally cycles is one of the first new owners of the iconic performance flagship – now with a 300 PS ‘boxer’ engine giving a theoretical 155 mph top speed and 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds.

He has previously owned limited edition Imprezas such as the ‘WR1’ and last year’s ‘RB320’ in memory of the late rally ace Richard Burns, also from Reading like Ron.

Other favourites include both 2.0 and 2.5 litre versions of the Impreza WRX – complete with Prodrive Performance Packs, of course, just for that little extra zip.

He has also owned a Legacy 3.0 litre spec.B Sports Tourer but found it lacked the Impreza’s response – despite its 245 PS six cylinder ‘boxer’ engine.

The retired Managing Director of a furniture design and installation company who has also owned Mercedes-Benz and Porsches said: “I’m no boy racer, mind, but have been in the past.

“The new STI is so much smoother-riding and refined but still goes when you want it to. Your mum could drive it to the shops with no problems yet when you select ‘Super Sharp’ mode it’s like lighting the afterburner.”

A keen motorsport fan, Ron has visited Prodrive’s HQ in Banbury and hopes to visit a rally stage this year, especially when his new-shape Impreza is competing in WRC format.

Meanwhile, Bulldog Twyford Sales Manager, Gary Moores, said: “Ron is very knowledgeable about Subarus and a pleasure to deal with. He is an inspiration to us all.”

The totally new Impreza WRX STI Type UK boasts an upgraded symmetrical all-wheel drive system with even more driver-selectable handling characteristics. It also has three different engine-response modes.

Featuring a new five-door body, increased space and a totally new multi-link rear suspension, the new STI is also £1,600 less than the previous model at £24,995 On-The-Road.

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ck314

This is quite disrespectful, in line with cultural marxism found on MTV, south park, mostly everywhere... Look at former pilot and journalist Paul FrÃ¨re, for instance, who was still testing supercars past 90.

March 19, 2008 1:40 pm

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puddingpuppet

It's not disrespectful. Let's be honest, when quite a few accidents are caused primarily by senior citizens, especially in large, crowded cities you have to look at why. As far as I know your reaction time doesn't get better as you grow old, nor do your senses sharpen. So I can see why some would be world with a 70 year old behind the wheel of a high performance car.

March 19, 2008 2:09 pm

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puddingpuppet

worried*

March 19, 2008 2:10 pm

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ck314

Fatal accidents with inexperienced young drivers at the wheel are higher than those caused by senior drivers, so according to this logic, must ppl be over 25 to be handled a driving license? It's all about logic, and as long as senior drivers go through periodic (and strict) checkings for a renewable license there should be no worries. And, finally, if someone over 70 goes for a high performance car it probably means they've been high profile drivers/pilots in the past, which means they're much more qualified than your 35 y.o. average joe/nancy car illiterate next door.

March 19, 2008 2:30 pm

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puddingpuppet

I never said anything about fatal accidents nor did I say that senior citizens are the cause of the MAJORITY of accidents. I was just merely pointing out that it's natural for people to be worried about old people driving. Their abilities are not like wine, they don't get better with age.

March 19, 2008 11:34 pm

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carrrrera

Walter Rohrl, Porsche's senior test driver is 61 and he is one of the most spectacular drivers even at his age (he is still the senior test driver on all the new Porsches). Therefore the opinion that old people should not drive holds no bearing. So long as the driver is fit enough to handle a car then thats fine. Mr Billingham certainly doesn't look frail or unable to control a vehicle. Hell, lets not forget that the GP Masters series hosted drivers up to the age of 61 (not that there's a limit, just that that was the age of the oldest driver). Its not people like Mr Billingham that are the problem, its the already poor now aged drivers that are the problem.

March 19, 2008 2:44 pm

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Drag

yes 70yo FTW!!!! naw quit being jealous i'm more worried about the ones that buy luxury cars b/c some of those damned cars u could fall asleep in while ur driving and they do take alot of naps

March 19, 2008 2:55 pm

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