Without getting too far off topic or violating too many confidences, I feel compelled to tell a story because the experience really *was* amazing, and I can't stop smiling about it.

Earlier tonight I was presented with an opportunity to see, touch, smell, and ride in a "track-only" high performance car. Something ultra-rare and ultra-exotic in the USA, but perhaps not very well known because it is not offically brought here.

What was it? A 1997(?) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO V.

YES, a real one.

A JDM, right-hand-drive, odometer and speedometer reading in KM/H instead of MPH, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO V. With monster stiff suspension, huge amazing brakes, Kumho V700's, and 15psi of boost.

For confidentiality reasons, I can't say who owns the car or where exactly I rode in it. But I will tell you that it was truly amazing. I've driven and/or ridden in some really great machinery due to various hookups, but this car was truly unique.

First of all, the look. At first, it screams "boring four door sedan with ricewing". Until you notice things like the big front-mount intercooler, huge Brembo brakes, boost gauge, and so on.

Riding shotgun in it was a wild experience because I've never sat on the left side of a car and NOT had a steering wheel in front of me. Also, the blowoff valve dumps on that side of the car, so the sound was amazing.

Fast? Yes. 0-100kph in less than 5 seconds. Very short second gear. 150kph way too quickly and easily, with plenty more to spare.

Traction? Tons of it, of course. Full-throttle blasts in first gear produced NO wheelspin.

Grip? Indeed. Super stiff coilover suspension and Kumho V700's... say no more. Fairly neutral chassis with a hint of understeer, as far as I could tell. Nice rigid feel of course.

All in all, I must say it was arguably the most balanced and generally entertaining overall package that I can think of. It could run circles around the new body style M5 on a road course as far as I'm concerned. The car was an absolute delight to ride in, and I can't even imagine how much fun it would be to drive.

PS- With any luck, this car will appear at the Speedtrial event in 10 days. I can't wait to see it and ride in it again!!!

From one car guy to many more... I hope you all can appreciate how cool that experience was.

Jon
who needs to win the lottery

 

*sigh*

Brian

 

Hot digity. I know more than a few guys that would cream their pants in that car. Oh can I say that?

 

Well tell them to come to Speedtrial and they might see it in action. But make sure they bring extra Kleenex.

Jon

 

Heh, evo at speedtrial? Gonna have to bring that extra memory card for the digicam...sounds like a hell of a ride...i'm particularly amused by the left-side sans wheel observation, that must have been strange...the autocar of the future!

 

Gotta get a 256MB compact flash. Polish the zoom lens.

 

*POSSIBLY* and *HOPEFULLY* at Speedtrial, but no promises.

Yes, the left-side-with-no-wheel-gauges-or-pedals thing was truly strange.

PS- this manufacturer photo was just sent to me, funny how it's the same color as the one I rode in (including big red calipers)...



Still smiling,

Jon

 

If it's there, I'll be there in my Civic, taking it in the twisteez, sir!

 

But he will be able to "straight line" the uphill esses...

Will
-who will bring extra shorts to VIR

 

 

All I can say is...WOW!

Jason- who hopes the Lancer beast will be there!

 

Bas-terd

See you this weekend at Disneyland, err...VIR.

 

The only bad part about this thread is that Jason is still asleep, and he's sleep typing.
!!!WAKE UP JASON!!!!!

 

Can somebody pass the tissues. Was this random or did you know it was arriving shorlty after I got off the phone w/you

 

Totally random and spur-of-the-moment. A gracious, kind, wonderful human being who shall remain nameless invited me along to see it at the last minute. Needless to say, I owe him

Jon


[Modified by JonSE-R, 11:23 AM 2/13/2002]