Zhong’s Car Before All The Fire

2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX GSR

Power

  • SpeedElement Built 2.0L
  • CBRD BBK Full Turbo Ported
  • ARP Mainstuds and Headstuds
  • Supertech Valvetrain
  • Kelford 272s
  • Nisei UICP/LICP/FMIC
  • Perrin Intake
  • Megan Racing Full 3″ Exhaust
  • Titek V2 02 Housing
  • Buschur Racing Ported Coated Exhaust Manifold
  • Deka ETX14 Mini Battery
  • S.S Clutch Lines
  • RC Engineering 1200cc Injectors
  • Walbro 255 Fuel Pump
  • Weir 12-plate Rear Differential
  • Perrin Shortshifter
  • AMS Shifter Bushings
  • AMSOIL 15w50 Dominator RD50
    Dyno tune by FFTEC Motorsports using Tephra Mod V7
  • 500whp/429wtq (RRE Dynapak) @28.5psi E85
  • 427whp/379wtq (RRE Dynapak) @25psi 91oct

Handling

  • Robispec KW Clubsports
  • Whiteline Bushings and Roll Center Kit
  • Perrin 25mm Rear Adjustable Sway Bar
  •  Toyo R888 255/40/17 Tires
  • Buddy Club P1 Racing QF 17×9 +28
  • Raybestos ST43 Front and Rear Pads
  • Performance Friction 2pc Rotors
  • Stoptech S.S. Brakelines
  • Girodisc TI shims
  • AMS Brake Ducting
  • Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid

Driver

  • TC Design 4-Pt Rollbar
  • Schroth 4pt ASM Harness
  • HANS Device
  • Alpinestars SFI 3 layer Driving suit
  • Alpinestars SFI Driving Gloves
  • Alpinestars SFI Nomex Balaclava
  • Alpinestars SFI Nomex Driving Socks
  • Kognition Design 68″ Rear Trunk Mounted Wing
  • DIY 3.5″ Alumilite Chassis Mounted Splitter

How did you get started tracking your car?

I started back in mid-2007.  I watched a lot of car & track videos from people I knew who were tracking.  Later a friend told me about this event at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, CA and said I should come try it out.  5 years later, here I am.  My car had 294 whp back then on stock tires, stock brakes and stock suspension with very minor bolt ons.  That was an eye opening and addicting experience.  I got hooked bad.

So how many track days do you have under your belt?

32, but who’s counting.

And what series have you run in?

I was the 2011 eXtremeSpeed Evo Competition Cup Series Champion for Modified class.  For 2012, I’m running in eXtremeSpeed’s AWD Competition and Extreme Time Attack in the Modified and Tuner classes respectively..

What was your scariest moment at the track?

One time at Buttonwillow, my ducting caught on the front right axle, which then severed both my ABS and stainless steel brake line going into Lost hills at 120.  I lost all brakes, front tires locked up, and went straight off the track over a blind crest.  I felt so helpless and out of my control.  I was just along for the ride, and that is such a scary feeling.  Thankfully, there was only minor damage and no one got hurt.  It was my lucky day that day.   

What is your biggest pet peeve when you go to the track?

That would have to be preparing the car, unloading the car, swapping  tires and at the end of the day, putting back on street tires, loading the car, swapping brakes when you are all tired and doing everything by yourself.  Do that for 30+ track days and you just get tired of it.

If you could recommend any one part what would it be?

If I had to pick 1 part you could put on the car, it would have to be a data acquisition/logging product.  It is so important, versatile, and crucial to your development in going faster and driving better.  It is like having a professional coach sitting with you telling you all you need to know.  If you can’t afford that, the next best thing would have to be a well positioned in-car camera.  It is such a great learning tool.

Any parting words for the track heads out there?

Make sure you save up enough money to track the car as it sure likes to eat up funds quick.  Quality seat time, quality seat time, quality seat time, repetition, consistency is the name of the game.  Invest in quality coaches and organizations that will teach you the fundamentals and steer you on the right track.  That is the most valuable thing you can do if you want to learn how to drive on  the track.  Practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect.  A friend once told me, “You start off with an empty bag of skill and an full bag of luck, and you hope to fill the first before you run out of the second…” — so true.  Pick up some driving and racing books like Going Faster and Speed Secrets and read them before heading out to a track event.  Watch quality track videos of the track you will be attending, and just ask questions at the track from the experienced people.  You will gain a lot of knowledge.  Most importantly, go have fun.