2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Dominates Redline Time Attack Series in Modified AWD Class

The 2009 Redline Time Attack Series, Round 7 was held at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada. Pahrump is about an hour’s drive northwest of Las Vegas.

Ryan Gates has secured the 2009 Modified AWD Class Championship in the Redline Time Attack Series
Ryan Gates has secured the 2009 Modified AWD Class Championship in the Redline Time Attack Series
Driver Ryan Gates continued to dominate the Modified Class with his 6th consecutive victory in the Time Attack Series. In addition to winning the Modified AWD and the Overall Modified Class in Round 7, Gates also secured the 2009 Modified AWD Class Championship with his win in Nevada.
Ryan Gates took his 6th consecutive victory in the Modified Class at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in the Redline Time Attack Series
Ryan Gates took his 6th consecutive victory in the Modified Class at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in the Redline Time Attack Series

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X on the grid in Pahrump, Nevada for the Redline Time Attack Series
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X on the grid in Pahrump, Nevada for the Redline Time Attack Series

“I was excited to head back out west after completing four rounds of the Redline Time Attack Series in the eastern portion of the United States,” said Gates. “I knew the remaining events out west were going to be very interesting because of the competition, fast cars and larger tracks.”

The team prepped the Mitsubishi Evo X in anticipation of a smooth track. “We went with higher spring rates on the JRZ shocks, adjusted the ride height and reinstalled the front splitter that was taken off for Round 6 of the Time Attack Series at E-Town,” said Gates. With the minor changes Gates was confident that he would be competitive against some of the fastest Time Attack cars in the United States.

The practice sessions were important for Gates since it was the first time he had driven on the grueling 3.1 mile long track. Spring Mountain Motorsports Park is packed with 18 turns of all shapes and sizes and has very few straight-aways. Gates did well at practice on Saturday. On Sunday, he set the fastest practice lap time with a smooth and conservative lap.

During the first Time Attack session, Gates pushed his 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X much harder than he did in the practice sessions and posted a 1:25.5 lap time. It was the fastest time for the Modified Class by 1.5 seconds. He had one Time Attack session left and knew it was important to improve his time. Gates then posted a 1:24.9 lap time which was fast enough for the victory.

“The win felt great,” said Gates. “The competition was much stiffer out west so it was cool to live up to my expectations. I knew I had the drive to get this far in the series, but I had no idea that I’d make it to this point so quickly. I’m very happy with things so far. The K&N filters on my car actually helped a ton. With air temperatures around 111 degrees in the desert, having fresh clean air coming into the engine was so helpful. The K&N oil filter kept the oil clean and fresh even when oil temperatures were about 260 degrees.”

Gates will next race at the Super Lap Battle Finale at Buttonwillow Raceway in Buttonwillow, California. From there he will race at the Season Finale of the Redline Time Attack Series at Auto Club Speedway in November at Fontana, California.

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