2008 EVO Nationals
As Mitsubishi's flagship performance car, the Lancer Evolution, has grown in popularity in Australia in recent years, owners have looked for more and more opportunities to drive their vehicles as they were intended – quickly, but safely and responsibly. Some have also looked to enhance their cars to make them more suitable for these types of use……
EvolutionOz.net, the country's largest web-based forum dedicated to Evos and their variants, has over 6500 members and caters for many of owners' needs through discussion topics such as technical, maintenance and parts but also organizes events as well, so Evo owners can do what they really like to do – drive their cars.
The 3rd EvolutionOz.net Nationals was held in 2008 Canberra and Goulburn this year and was sponsored by Ralliart, the sporting arm of Mitsubishi. Cars of all types, from stock EvoIs through to fully race-prepped later models participated in the event. As did the TMR EvoX ClubSpec SS-T.
Having the chance to show our engineering and production skills in such an environment against some of the best Evos in the country, and many of their owners, was a chance we were most enthusiastic about and the car, in the very capable hands of Targa Tasmania winner, Steve Glenney performed beautifully.
All cars competing are classed into one of five categories, according to their level of enhancement. The classes are stock/restricted, semi modified, modified, highly modified and unrestricted.
With its well chosen specs, the TMR ClubSpec SS-T was in the semi-modified category and, with some modesty but underlining some of its qualities, it won its class convincingly. For example, at Wakefield Park, Goulburn's race circuit, its fastest lap was a low 1.08.
But it is also a car that is equally at home on the road. Several of the EvolutionOz.net members drove the car over the weekend and there was praise all round. Greg Stoneham, one of EvolutionOz.net's Administrators said: "this car is as equally suited to the road as it is to the track. On the road, it is quiet, refined and comfortable and rides very well. On the track, it has sharpness and a level of capability that can be seen in its lap times. But, more than anything, it is easy to drive, quickly, in both situations. There are many members of this site who should own a car just like this – it would suit them perfectly as a daily driver, yet on the weekend, they could drive it enthusiastically on the road or swap to the track without doing anything other than putting on a helmet. Great car, well done."
Of course, the modifications to the TMR can be had by any EvoX owner, manual or SS-T. They can be done altogether or piece by piece. Owners can also take their cars much further than the specification we ran at the Ralliart EvolutionOz Nationals. We specialize in full race and tarmac spec cars as well. Call us on 03 9271 3668and ask for more information or email us on info@tmraustralia.com We'd be delighted to talk to you.
Visit www.evolutionoz.net if you get a chance too. There's plenty of interesting material on there, particularly if you're passionate about Evos.
