Mitsubishi partners with Jim Russell Racing School to offer Evolution experience
Mitsubishi Evolution X MR at Jim Russell Racing School - Click above for a high-res image gallery
If you're interested in honing your track skills behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Jim Russell Racing School has partnered with Mitsubishi to host a full day of instruction at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.
Russell's involvement with Mitsubishi began by fitting the last generation Evo's 4G63 engine into its Lola-built open-wheeled race cars, and according to the school, the next step was to offer a full course based around the all-wheel drive sedan. Although Russell hasn't released full details on the course, expect your $1,000 to net you plenty of track time, along with stints on the school's makeshift skidpad in five Evo MRs equipped with either Mitsubishi's new six-speed TC-SST (dual-clutch) gearbox or traditional five-speed manual. Hit the jump for the press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School's Lancer Evolution Experience Kicks Off at Mitsubishi Owners Day 2009
July 9, 2009 --CYPRESS, Calif. -- Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, the world's premier performance driving school, is teaming up with Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) to create an exciting new driver training course that utilizes the rally-bred Lancer Evolution sedan called The Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience. The new driver training program will be formally announced on July 11 at this year's Mitsubishi Owners Day (M.O.D.), the annual celebration of all things Mitsubishi held on the company's Cypress campus.
The Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience program will offer a full day of instruction that begins in the classroom and continues on the exciting track as drivers get behind the wheel of the latest Lancer Evolution. The curriculum will focus on improving a driver's technique, speed and car control skills at Infineon Raceway, one of the most challenging race tracks in North America.
"Deciding to work with Mitsubishi Motors for The Lancer Evolution program was an easy choice," said Chip Pankow, president of Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. "We have been using the 4G63 engines in our Lola-built school cars and found them to be exceptionally reliable. The launch of The Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience strengthens our position as the leader in delivering new concepts and deliverables for automotive manufacturers seeking to broaden their customer base."
Those in attendance at M.O.D. will witness the reveal of two of the cars to be used in the Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience, as well as the single-seat, open-wheel FJR-50, Formula 3 derived race car, which is designed by Lola Cars International Ltd. and powered by the venerable Mitsubishi 4G63. More than 1,500 owners and enthusiasts from around the country are expected to attend this year's M.O.D. which will showcase everything from Starions and 3000GTs to Eclipses and Lancer Evolutions.
In addition, all Mitsubishi owners will be eligible to participate in a drawing for a number of highly coveted prizes from participating vendors. The grand prize at the 2009 M.O.D. drawing will be the very first seat in the Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., worth $1,000.
About Jim Russell Racing Drivers School:
The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School offers a complete driver training program that includes instruction from some of the finest coaches in the world, technical instruction from industry leaders, and educational seminars on being a complete racing driver. With the addition of Mitsubishi Motors, Jim Russell increases its breadth and depth of programs available to consumers to experience an automobile for themselves, experience the product differentiation for themselves and help build brand loyalty. Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is located Turn 1 of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. For more information visit www.jimrussellusa.com.
About Mitsubishi Motors North America
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks through a network of approximately 420 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tourian 9:56AM (7/13/2009)
Yes. I'm in. Sign me up.
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Bobmarley 9:57AM (7/13/2009)
...my job sucks
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zamafir 10:03AM (7/13/2009)
cool and strange. i've never encountered dealers so reticent to allow people to test drive there cars than Mitsubishi when the evo x came out, now you can pay for the privileged :). Looks fun, hopefully it'll be as successful as all the others the various luxury brands offer.
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Paxx 11:19AM (7/13/2009)
Now to save some extra cash and vacation time. This is about as good a way to blow $1k as any other thing I suppose.
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Scooter 11:24AM (7/13/2009)
That's actually a pretty reasonable price to learn more about the handling and real capabilities of my daily driver without actually having to risk wrecking my own. I may have to go out and do this.
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Aloysius Vampa 11:26AM (7/13/2009)
"in five Evo MRs equipped with either Mitsubishi's new six-speed TC-SST (dual-clutch) gearbox or traditional five-speed manual."
With a five-speed manual, it wouldn't be an MR.
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Marc 12:01PM (7/13/2009)
I'm confused... Russell Racing was using Mitsubishis back when I went through their program back in '98. Did they go to another manufacturer or lose the partnership at some point in time? All the Formula Russell cars had Mitsubishi engines and they used Galants, Eclipses, and the 300GT VR4 for other programs. You'd think they would mention in their press release that they were getting back together with Mitsubishi.. or something.
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James Dehnert Sr 9:40PM (7/14/2009)
This is Russell in California at Infenion Raceway (aka Sears Point). They used to use "Formula Mitsubishi's" basically a formula ford with a Mitsu engine for the beginning class, and "Formula Russells" basically Star Mazdas with different bodywork for the advanced class and for the racing series. I raced from 99 to 07 and we has between 50 to 70 racers every race weekend. Great times. After 07 the new owners changed just about everything. The new cars, the FJR-50 is really incredible. The costs for racing the FJR-50 are... more expensive. So much so that now the have about 8 to 10 regular racers. The new owners are trying to do new things, so that may be just fine for them. I, however, miss racing with the regulars.
They also seem to have close ties with Audi and I have seem more than a few R8's by their new offices. I think that would be a more interesting ride, but the Evo looks like fun too.
Marc 10:57AM (7/15/2009)
Yup, that's the one I'm talking about. I grew up in Walnut Creek and took all my courses at Russell in the late 90s. Now I'm in SoCal and miss the NorCal tracks. WSIR is nice, but I grew up on "the Point."