Underpowered...but handles like no other!

ImportCarTuner (AKA ScoobyTuner/EvoTuner/MiniTuner) takes top American Tuner
Underpowered...but handles like no other!

November 09, 2004

Considering the competition of 600+ hp Skylines, EVOs, Supras, etc. we were far and away the underdogs at “Time Attack II”. All the Japanese giants were there in full force with full pit crews and BIG $$$$$ vehicles.

The top teams loaded their vehicles with “hired guns” that included some of the top drivers in the world (like the famous “Tarzan”, “Chunky”, and “Boney” of Japan. The Sparco team had the affable Kiwi Rhys Millen of rally fame on hand). One 500 whp WRX was piloted by Gary Sheehan.

Cars were broken in to Limited (streetable…at least in theory) and Unlimited (full Race Cars). Subcategories included All Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive, Front Wheel, Mid-Engine, etc.).

We knew we had little chance of wining as our car only pumps out about 375 hp (Perrin Turbo Back Exhaust, Intake and an ImportCarTuner custom ECU reflash and cams). However, armed with a killer DMS 50 mm Tarmac suspension setup, Perrin sway bars and the best looking Enkei wheels on the planet…we had one of the best set up cars on the track.

At the end of each session, times were posted and everyone would see what position they were in. We knew we were ruffling some feathers when one of the top teams said to another “who the HELL is this ImportCarTuner? They are getting awfully close”. We ended the day .2 seconds off last year’s winner…the Sparco EVO driven by Rhys Millen (loaded with APEXi parts and a monster turbo)

Furthermore, we were one of two cars in the top 5 that didn’t break down. I guess there is something to be said about handling and reliability!

Notes: XS Engineering's monster EVO over boosted and blew the motor (2.5 BAR – 37 psi OUCH!) Sparco’s EVO cracked the exhaust manifold and lost the power steering pump (fortunately for them, they carry every spare part imaginable) Element Tuning’s 500 whp WRX suffered a few issues/set backs but Gary Sheehan was able to mount a strong attack and finished just a couple hundredths of a second behind us.

EvoTuner - One of the Fastest Cars on the Track!

The Class Winner...Big Power and every possible go fast bit.

Last Year's Overall Winner - Not fast enought this year!

Overboosted - Kabooooom!

An off road excursion!

Last year's Class winner - a few issues and not quite fast enough this year (beat our car by .2 seconds but lost to the class winner by over 2 seconds)!

Big Turbo & Lots of Power - We beat them by a couple of hundreds!