No offense here, but do you even know what you are talking about? Two things:

1. At this level of racing, you do not just "put on" a component and expect to go faster. Professional race cars are engineered, not pieced together from off the shelf components. Damping ratios must be optimized with respect to tire mass, static weight distribution, lateral load transfer, aerodynamic loading, surface, spring rates, etc. etc. etc. You don't even want to know all of the variables. Not even to mention that Motons are superior to KWs in construction and design.

2. Alignment is not a static variable and must be considered based on the dynamics of the vehicle with respect to suspension geometry dynamics. Bump steer, roll steer, camber curves, etc. all play a factor in what your static alignment should be. Evos run less rear camber typically in order to remove lateral grip from the rear so that the car does not understeer. Did you even consider that that they are generating enough front lateral grip so that they need a ton of rear lateral grip so the car is actually driveable and not excessively tailhappy? There are other reasons that they may run the alignment they do, but without having any data, you cannot make the statements that you are making. No two cars are alike, which is why no two setups are the same. Apples and oranges comparing your car to theirs.


In the end, I'm going to go out on a limb here and day that they probably know what they are doing.


Devin

 

I saw the NJ race. You guys were lapped by the leaders twice. Regardless of the black flag.

Then the same thing in Road ATL.

Why are you racing in the GT series? You got passed like you were standing still and blocked B.Davis during a hard battle for first in the section he was fastest in. It may have even cost him the race.

Why not the Touring Car class. It would seem more fitting to the Evo. Lets face it, you are trying to compete with V8 thru V12.

I have watched the WC races for at least 10 years. Its awsome to see an Evo in the race. Even cooler that the car finished both races which is saying alot. But why try to elevate the Evo to such a high horsepower class?

Stasis ran the Audi 2.0 AWD in the Touring Cars. Why not the Evo?

Just curious. Not trying to put you down. It is a great effort. I saw more Evo on Speed than ever before. But it was because you were being lapped by the leaders so you got be on camera as it followed them around.

Once again, not trying to be rude, just realistic and I want to know why the Evo is in GT not Touring. I will still cheer you on when I watch.

 

Alright, I just talked to Vesko, it seems that we will not be at the Super Street TA. That was the plan previously, but plans have changed.

There are a few other things going on (and a lack of funding) including preparation for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in Dec and also testing and R&D in general for next season. The professional racing campaign takes priority here. It sucks when money prevents you from doing things, but unfortunately it is a reality.

He supports several race cars for local club racers and pro racers and when it comes down to paying the bills or running a TA, bills and customers come first and rightfully so.

I know he has his sights set on the recent record set by HKS, so I don't doubt he will want to make it out there, it just will not be this year.

On another note, I should have more details about the car that I can publish as well as many pictures from Road Atlanta, so look for that in the next few days.

 

Agreed, it will be an up-hill battle. I have no doubt that we will get there, however. One condition of SCCA Pro Racing (in their extensive wisdom) of the Evo homologation was that we had to run in GT. This was not our option or choice. We picked the series and thats where we had to run.

We actually would have favored Grand-Am, but they required us to convert to RWD, effectively castrating most benefits of the Evo (awd).

Its a tough situation, really. I think the SCCA imposed the GT class on us on purpose to deter our entry. And now, even though we are in the back (which you would think would be motivation to help us out) we have major resistance from them.

 

Word the Eff up !!! Keep pushing. Can't wait to get some specs.

 

Figures it would be something like that. The Audi did so well in starts in the 2005 ( I think) and then for 06 they put a rev limit on it so Chip Herr couldnt launch as well. It was a performer in the Touring car class too.

That blows me away though. Whats the logic in racing a 2.0L against 5.7 -6.0L cars? Are they being restrictive on your power output? Or can you basically build the car anyway you like as long as it has a spec cage? Arent the rules "tailored" for every car? You always here them say "The SCCA wants an even field for better competition."

Good luck with what sounds like an uphill battle. It would be something to place in the top ten next year. These programs always take a few years to develop anyways. Congrats on finishing both races. That is what impressed me the most.

 

Looking at your "Drives" list, are you sure you're not rooting for Remington? lol.

Yeah, i remember the Audi's, they did quite well, I was almost disappointed when that program was cancelled.

I'm not sure the logic in where they placed us, but we're there. We are actually racing cars up to 8.3L (viper). We are the only turbo car in the field (except for the occasional 997 turbo that pops up in various races). Perhaps they thought that would give us an advantage?

As far as the rules go, we have been given some room on most things. There is no spec cage, but they require specific safety equipment.

It will be a battle to get the car up to speed reliably. There is no doubt it would be easier to be competitive in TC, but I'm sure we will get there. The man in charge of this program is incapable of quitting, and he has committed. In fact, his favorite saying is "Don't Lift".

No excuses, we will get there.

 

The cool thing is I can actually watch both of the cars I own race against each other! (My other ride is a V)

Will your team be doing a full season next year? I think that is some of the probs with the Evo and Suby. You only see them compete in one or two races each season. At least the Lexus is at the back of the pack too.

I cant imagine how hard it is to compete against fully sponsored vets in that race. The Caddy alone was built by Pratt and Miller. That says it all right there.

Is the car capable of top ten finishes? We have all seen videos of Evos passing Vipers on track but I doubt those were pro drivers with big financial backing under the hood.

 

I don't doubt that there will be some top ten finishes next season. There is work to do, but Vesko has made it clear that he is not in it to be a mid-packer. I believe a full schedule is the plan next year. The cars were just not ready for a full season this year.

The Caddy's are built by Pratt, the Mudstains are also $500k plus per unit, the vipers are all factory built, the corvettes are uber fast and built for speed, the porsches are factory built. The Lexus was supposedly built to run ALMS, so i'm sure they will get up to speed as well. I have to say that the Evo is built as well as any of those, if not better (of course i'm biased). You would be amazed at the build quality of that car (and the second car for that matter).

I can't wait until I can post pics of the engine bay and the inside of the car. It is clean to say the least.

So, there is work to do, but we'll get there.

 

After i read that you said you guys were going to Buttonwillow for that Super lap battle, i was determined to go so i could meet you guys. However, i was a bit surprised that you guys were going to that event. I was thinking, why risk the car in that type of an event when you have bigger fish to fry? So i guess im not surprised you guys wont be coming after all. Maybe next year at the long beach race?

 

Charlie, what do you recommend they do regarding camber?

 

WC and ALMS are my two most favorite series. I cant wait till next year now to see you guys in action.

 

We'd be happy to meet anyone from evom, for sure. We may even need help in the pits if you're handy with a wrench.

The plan was to go to the TA, but you're right, its more of a "fun" thing to do for PR, and right now there is more dev to do. For the TA to be worth the time there needs to be a proper aero package developed, and new tuning for a proper fuel. We'll get there too, but just not this year.

Btw, the camber was due to other constraints not related. Vesko can set a car up better than most, i'd put my money on him any day.

I know what you're sayin'. TC will be sweet with all the de-tuning next year (we also campaign a 330 e90 in TC).

I can't wait for all the GT2 action next year in ALMS. The new M3! Yes please! And the corvettes coming down a class to scrap it up. It will be good times. Have you been to a WC/ALMS weekend?

 

^ I really wish you guys would set up a donation.... I for one would really like to kick you guys what little help i can.
cant wait for the pictures...

 

That may be something we will setup for next season. I'm not sure all of the ramifications of that, but we'd like to make it worth everyone's money for sure. We'd also like to have a decent showing before we accept any sponsorship.

We really want to include the community as much as possible. Perhaps we can even work something out with EvoM. There is no help to be had from Mitsu, but thats not a major concern.

Hopefully i'll have specs and pics very soon.