For drivers who want to wring the most out of what Jim Russell Racing says is “the most affordable true ‘driver’s car’ available”—the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X—the former and the latter combine to offer the Lancer Evolution Experience. It’s an intensive on-track exploration of the Evo X’s limits, taught by the world-class driving instructors from the renowned Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. And starting immediately, it’s also the route to a brand-new Mitsubishi Evolution MR—for the one person who can drive well enough to earn it.
That’s courtesy of the Lancer Evolution Challenge, a first-time competition limited only to the top performers from this year’s Evolution Experience sessions (through November). Those drivers will be invited to participate in in a unique program of advanced driving instruction and challenging skill tests, with the best of the best taking home the Lancer Evolution Challenge grand prize: A fully paid, year-long loan of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR.
The rally-bred Lancer Evolution MR proudly puts its heritage on display with Mitsubishi’s 291-hp turbocharged engine under the hood, a six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic-Shift Transmission to manage that power, and the Super All Wheel Control all-wheel-drive system to put it on the pavement. Other performance-oriented features include Recaro racing seats, paddle shifters, 18-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN rubber, and an advanced suspension setup incorporating Bilstein struts and Eibach springs.
Of course, the other prizes in the Lancer Evolution Challenge aren’t too shabby either: The second-place driver gets a three-day course on the fundamentals of open-wheel racing, with plenty of track time, from the Jim Russell Driving School. For finishing third, a contestant will (definitely) enjoy a Jim Russell Karting package, in which students learn the ins and outs of high-powered, highly responsive performance karts—capable of going from 0-60 in under 6 seconds. Summit NJ Ford sees the Lancer as a venerable competitor to sub-$30K sports cars like the Mustang, even though it’s not a part of the muscle car tradition.
With three prizes like that, the Lancer Evolution Challenge has to be considered a true win-win-win proposition.
Although one Hartford Dodge dealer admits that specialty performance models have mixed success, the Lancer Evo continues to make enthusiasts pine. Even among Albuquerque Used Cars, the Lancer is consistently a hot commodity. While the Lancer is aging very well, new marketing initiatives and partnerships have also added to the Lancer’s appeal.
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