2011 STU Discussion
Thanks, I was definitely concerned I was not going to end up on top, Christy Vehe was quick both days, and I knew was going to be tough to beat. Eric and Kenneth who co-drove the black EVO 9 MR looked to have a well sorted, all the right parts build and drove accordingly. Sounds like Kenneth had a struggle on his last run on Sunday, as did I, my saving grace was the small lead I built up on Saturday.
The STis are definitely threatening, the larger the course the more the EVO advantage may be, and then again the larger the course the more the EVO 9s larger turbo can work well too.
My budget build worked out alright though... Definitely need to work more on my driving, and then a few misc parts to try to put some distance between competitors on course. I look forward to running with Eric and Kenneth locally if they make the trek down to NWOR for local events for sure.
Even made mention in the little post event SCCA write up!
http://www.scca.org/newsarticle.aspx?hub=3&news=4120
The STis are definitely threatening, the larger the course the more the EVO advantage may be, and then again the larger the course the more the EVO 9s larger turbo can work well too.
My budget build worked out alright though... Definitely need to work more on my driving, and then a few misc parts to try to put some distance between competitors on course. I look forward to running with Eric and Kenneth locally if they make the trek down to NWOR for local events for sure.
Even made mention in the little post event SCCA write up!
http://www.scca.org/newsarticle.aspx?hub=3&news=4120
2011 SCCA Northern States Championship
Both days quickest runs in one video:
Out of car video quickest runs each day, combined in 1 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_svty8HalM
Both days quickest runs in one video:
Out of car video quickest runs each day, combined in 1 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_svty8HalM
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 111
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From: Maryland
Dude...you almost got beat by a girl in an STi.
Just kidding, congrats on the win! Christy has been driving pretty well this year and embarassing quite a few people...including her husband. Poor Dan and the spousal abuse he has to put up with. I was listening to Junior announcing the STU battle on Ustream, what a blast. I have to admit though, I was rooting for Christy. I'm a fan of the underdog. 
As it relates to STi vs. Evo, I know the problem on the east coast is that there aren't many Evo drivers that come out in STU as they mostly stick to BSP or just don't come out at all, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. I know John Hale and Robert Irish have the Texas/Midwest area covered with their STi's. So it's just that there haven't been enough West Coast events going on where all the Evo guys seem to lurk. That's my take on it at least as it relates to "balance of power".
Based on the last two Nationals, there are many who seem to believe that the STi is uncompetitive in STU. I of course disagree...depending on the course of course. The West course last year absolutely killed us, and the results bear that out. At least 5 places on course where it was too fast for second, but no place to really upshift to 3rd and then downshift again. East course was fine since there was plenty of room to upshift to 3rd, use it, then downshift. We'll see how the courses look when we get out there this year, but I'm hoping we don't get entirely screwed over again. But now I've got some 18's to go with the 17's this year, so hopefully that helps. We're hoping to retake the STU crown this year, but no matter who comes out on top, I'm looking forward to some great battles.
Just kidding, congrats on the win! Christy has been driving pretty well this year and embarassing quite a few people...including her husband. Poor Dan and the spousal abuse he has to put up with. I was listening to Junior announcing the STU battle on Ustream, what a blast. I have to admit though, I was rooting for Christy. I'm a fan of the underdog. As it relates to STi vs. Evo, I know the problem on the east coast is that there aren't many Evo drivers that come out in STU as they mostly stick to BSP or just don't come out at all, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. I know John Hale and Robert Irish have the Texas/Midwest area covered with their STi's. So it's just that there haven't been enough West Coast events going on where all the Evo guys seem to lurk. That's my take on it at least as it relates to "balance of power".
Based on the last two Nationals, there are many who seem to believe that the STi is uncompetitive in STU. I of course disagree...depending on the course of course.
The West course last year absolutely killed us, and the results bear that out. At least 5 places on course where it was too fast for second, but no place to really upshift to 3rd and then downshift again. East course was fine since there was plenty of room to upshift to 3rd, use it, then downshift. We'll see how the courses look when we get out there this year, but I'm hoping we don't get entirely screwed over again. But now I've got some 18's to go with the 17's this year, so hopefully that helps. We're hoping to retake the STU crown this year, but no matter who comes out on top, I'm looking forward to some great battles.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Arkansas
As it relates to STi vs. Evo, I know the problem on the east coast is that there aren't many Evo drivers that come out in STU as they mostly stick to BSP or just don't come out at all, especially in the Mid-Atlantic. I know John Hale and Robert Irish have the Texas/Midwest area covered with their STi's. So it's just that there haven't been enough West Coast events going on where all the Evo guys seem to lurk. That's my take on it at least as it relates to "balance of power".
Hale and Irish are both good drivers. My second National-level event in the Evo was against him at Houston, he ended up winning by like .4 of a second. And I got my butt handed to me at the Mineral Wells Pro by both him and Irish...I have no clue how to launch an AWD car
Signed up for Nationals today, hope to see you all there
Last edited by GoTopless; Jul 7, 2011 at 08:41 PM.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,733
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From: Why do they always call the Evo the Dark Side?
I think a rear diff refresh/rebuild is still worth it for the STU guys - particularly TRE's STU rear diff upgrade. Any shop that's opened up the stock rear diff for a CT9A will tell you it wasn't properly assembled from the factory. Doing TRE's refresh will allow you to get some rotation on throttle, though it won't be as dramatic as the 12 plate maxx lock obviously.
Extremely worthwhile, though you should talk to Jon@TRE about it if you're interested
Extremely worthwhile, though you should talk to Jon@TRE about it if you're interested
Thanks for your thoughts Brian. I intend to do the front bar for sure and I know Rick so I'll talk to him.
I'm suspicious of the rear diff rebuild - not that it couldn't be rebuilt to actually work - but that it can be done legally. Anyone call TRE and discuss?
Kevin
I'm suspicious of the rear diff rebuild - not that it couldn't be rebuilt to actually work - but that it can be done legally. Anyone call TRE and discuss?
Kevin
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...y-factory.html
It looks like Mitsubishi arranges them in a way that avoids noise, but the manual says to arrange them in a way that's better for performance.
So, I noticed this thread today - it sheds a lot more light on the "factory does not build them to spec" thing:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...y-factory.html
It looks like Mitsubishi arranges them in a way that avoids noise, but the manual says to arrange them in a way that's better for performance.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...y-factory.html
It looks like Mitsubishi arranges them in a way that avoids noise, but the manual says to arrange them in a way that's better for performance.
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Another win for the Evo out in Colorado...
...with an STi driver.
Kevin, sorry to hear about the issues with the battery cable, but looks like you guys still found some good time on Sunday morning.
...with an STi driver.
Kevin, sorry to hear about the issues with the battery cable, but looks like you guys still found some good time on Sunday morning.
So, I noticed this thread today - it sheds a lot more light on the "factory does not build them to spec" thing:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...y-factory.html
It looks like Mitsubishi arranges them in a way that avoids noise, but the manual says to arrange them in a way that's better for performance.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...y-factory.html
It looks like Mitsubishi arranges them in a way that avoids noise, but the manual says to arrange them in a way that's better for performance.
BTW! Congrats on the win Brian! I'm sure that must have been an incredible drive
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,733
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From: Why do they always call the Evo the Dark Side?