I think this is a great question. With 80# that need to be added back, this is where I would be adding the weight.

I know that in most cars nowadays, the doors actually increase rigidity with their structural supports. Since the doors on this car are simply skins now I bet some cross bracing would be pretty useful!

 

I used Lexan in the side windows and have the material for front & rear. For the reasons you mention, I've decided to leave the front glass as-is and perhaps only change the rear to Lexan. Since I don't have a roll cage, I also have concerns about loss of structural regidity if I remove the windshield and perhaps rear glass.

 

Seam-welding is on the list for Winter 2008 off-season work. A major Evo race car fabrication shop told me that in seam-welding an Evo chassis, it only used about 3.5lbs of wire. Personally, I don't believe the doors contribute much to Evo structural rigidity, though I do agree that many standard car doors can add quite a bit to overall stiffness because there are large amounts of unibody flex.

Steering wheel & tilt shaft will be replaced in the off-season with quick release wheel and lighter straight column. Fuel gauge isn't connected, so I have a constant fuel warning light reminding me to check the level. It's probably not a bad idea to always think about it when you only have 4 gallons.

 

Mark and Sebastian should be out there running tomorrow, right? For anyone who wants to see it in action first-hand.

Texas Motor Speedway Bus Parking Lot in Fort Worth, Texas
MAP with exact coordinates. Click for map --> http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=33.027627,-97.28548

 

I wish I could go. The last time I went out to Dallas area to autocross I got a ride with Mark. However, he kept blowing off interooler pipe couplers. I''m sure he remembers that day very well. It was a big pain in the a** for him.

 

16X10 custom wheels with slicks. Amazing setup.

 

How does the beast handle on 16" slicks compared to the R-comp?

 

Well....I only made two runs on the tires to save them for Nationals. I was changing from 2 year-old 710's, so they felt great comparatively. I think that I will need to learn over the next year, just how much more I can push the slicks, and make minor suspension adjustments to capitalize on the grip.

I can say that two weeks ago on the old 710s, same course layout, same surface, I finished 0.8 sec behind Stuart Maxcy's Viper SS winning time. Last weekend I was 1.1 sec ahead of Stuart's SS winning time with the new tires. It could just be the difference between old and new tires. I really don't know. At 2400 lbs, I can say the car is crazy quick.

Mark

 

which kw,s are you runing??

 

I originally had some custom-valved KW Competition 2-ways, which were great. KW allowed me to test a set of revalved KW Clubsports (2-way) that I currently use, which are also excellent. I believe the Clubsports have a high-end valving technology that has proven faster in KW tests on the Nurburgring, than the V3s. Of course, I'm not traveling at Nurburgring speeds, so I think any of the KWs are a great coilover system at an unbeatable price for this quality. Price will determine whether you go with the V3, Clubsport, or Competition. Just have them setup to match the spring rate you choose. The stainless housings are nice because there's never any corrosion to deal with.

Mark

 

Great car! You make us Evo guys PROUD! Keep up the great work! You and your Dad are an amazing team! Role models! I plan on doing the same thing with my daughter and my Evo 9MR! Your car is done right/professionally! It is nice of you to allow people to take photos/videos of your car so other Evo owners can learn! Many thanks for everything! I wish you 'three' a very fast and safe racing season next year! I am 'glued' to this thread! Thanks again!! -Howard

 

Just remember the Evo 9 is not classed in F-Prepared yet, only the Evo 8 is.

 

sounds like a letter to the SEB is in order!! a little more than semantics, though, really.. unless you plan on having that MR stripped and ready to go by next weekend and hand everybody their ***

 

Shouldn't it be legal for XP?

 

Legal - Yes
Ticket to win - maybe not.

FP on the hand this car should have a great chance.