Khoi's Subaru WRX With Apex ARC-8 Wheels

APEX: Tell us some details about yourself & your cars.

Khoi: My name’s Khoi Ha, owner of #97 Subaru WRX. I bought the 2005 WRX about 3 years ago with 1 goal in mind – getting rid of a car payment.. kidding! Turning it into a track car with that additional fund from having no car payment! When I purchased the WRX, I was very fortunate as the car was equipped with a lot of goodies already, including the STI Brembos, STI 6-speed transmission with r180 differential, a complete STI interior overhaul and a few bolt ons here and there! It didn’t take that long to blow that motor as it was quite high mileage. I swapped in an EJ255 and with my horrible luck; this motor also did not last. From this point on I partnered with Andrewtech Automotive based out of Gaithersburg, MD who are now my #1 sponsor to build a stout motor paired with an efficient and budget friendly turbo, FP Green HTZ. With all the necessary bolt ons and fueling upgrades the WRX is Cobb tuned and makes 458 whp and 427 wtq at 24 psi on 93 octane, which is my fun map. On the track, we put it down to about 18 psi conservative tune. The car is also equipped with an assortment of aero to keep her sticky on the track, including an APR Performance wing, and custom chassis mounted APR front splitter.

APEX: What is your track day wheel setup?

Khoi: Apex ARC-8 17×9” +42 (5×100) in Anthracite wrapped in Hankook RS-3 255/40/17 Tires OEM Brembo BBK Centric premium blank rotors Carbotech XP pads Goodrich SS brake lines Custom 3″ front brake ducts Motul RBF 660 fluid

APEX: Why did you choose APEX Wheels over the rest?

Khoi: I was looking specifically for a wide 17″ rim that fit without spacers in 5×100. Apex is one of a few options out there! Plus they look the best!

APEX: How did you get into track racing & for how long?

Khoi: Cars in general were always a huge hobby. I’ve always enjoyed spirited backroad driving and what really sparked my interest was taking my car down to the Tail of the Dragon where I really got to have some fun. After a few auto-x events, I knew that wasn’t for me. I needed to go faster!

APEX: What is your favorite memory or entertaining story from the track?

Khoi: How about a story BEFORE the track? For a whole year, I thought this wasn’t meant to be. The first NASA HPDE event I registered for; my motor blew 2 weeks before. After dropping in the ej255, I went and got the car retune, all good to go for the next event; wrong. After registering for a different event, this motor blew too! Finally after 1.5 years of my car being in a shop and on its 3rd motor; I gave it another shot. Registered… and took her on the track for the first time!

APEX: How many events do you participate in each year, care to share any track results?

Khoi: The goal is to do 3-4 events (some events are 2 days long) However the pockets aren’t that deep, between track time cost + maintenance and upkeep… It gets very expensive very fast.

APEX: If you could give one tip to a new racer, what would your tip be?

Khoi: Don’t be scared to track your DD. In HPDE programs over 50% of cars in the beginner group are tracking their DDs. It’s about exercising safety and control and not necessarily about going fast. That’s later on! However don’t blame me if you get addicted.

APEX: Where can we follow you?

Khoi: Yes! You can find me on Instagram @kamphotography_khoi (yes I am a photographer as well, all photos in this interview are shot by me or edited by me)

APEX: Do you have any clubs, shops or racing buddies you want to give a shout out to?

Khoi: First and foremost I’d like to give a shout out to my sponsor Andrewtech Automotive for dealing with this haunted car. They are so patient and truly are family to me. Great guys all around and of course the best quality work you can ask for. Secondly, shout out to my “racing buddy” Steve G, we started this together about 2.5 years ago and named our little group “touge express” with hopes of this name carrying on to become a big race team name! Steve has helped build and install many parts on the car and is really the driving force behind me pushing myself behind the wheel.

Matt became the JDM Product Expert at APEX Wheels in 2022. Prior to joining APEX, he worked extensively in automotive sales. As an enthusiast he made the shift from street driving to track driving in order to fully experience his cars at the limit without putting the public at risk. Matt has owned six Hondas (‘94 Integra LS, ‘95 Integra RS, ‘96 Integra GS-R, ‘06 RSX Type-S, ‘95 Civic VX, ‘17 Civic EX-T), two Subarus (‘15 Impreza, ‘22 BRZ), and is likely shopping for the next addition to his stable. When he’s not helping JDM owners figure out the best wheel setups for their cars, he enjoys playing racing video games and indulging his interest in automotive photography. Fun fact: Matt knows every quotable line in The Fast and the Furious by heart.

Have questions about wheels for your JDM vehicle? Use our contact form and ask for Matt.