Redline Time Attack Champion Ryan Gates Won Every Race in his 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X

Ryan Gates won the Modified Class in the Redline Time Attack season finale and took the overall 2009 Redline Time Attack Championship at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Gates also set the new Modified AWD track record with a 1:43.4. "Every Time Attack race gives you a chance to perfect yourself as a driver," said Gates. "It's called Time Attack because someone puts up a time and everyone else tries to attack it."

Ryan Gates put his K&N sponsored 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ryan Gates put his K&N sponsored 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Ryan Gates works on his Mitsubishi Evo X before the Redline Time Attack season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
Ryan Gates works on his Mitsubishi Evo X before the Redline Time Attack season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
Three days earlier, Gates destroyed the splitter on his 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X in the Super Lap Battle at the Buttonwillow, California track. The Evo was also running very lean.
Ryan Gates is the 2009 Redline Time Attack Series Champion in the Modified Class
Ryan Gates is the 2009 Redline Time Attack Series Champion in the Modified Class

Ryan Gates and the AMS team defeated all the issues and made it through the final weekend of the Redline Time Attack Series with another win to complete a perfect season
Ryan Gates and the AMS team defeated all the issues and made it through the final weekend of the Redline Time Attack Series with another win to complete a perfect season

“We touched up the front bumper for reinforcement without the splitter,” said Gates. “We did this because of the high speeds you can reach at Auto Club Speedway.” During practice Gates discovered there was still a lot of work that needed to be done.

After a lot of time and effort the car was moving in the right direction and Gates felt better about the setup. The AMS crew tuned the boost down to well below 20psi, normal is 31psi. Gates said the car was still running lean but he pressed on and finished out the day.

On Sunday, Gates planned to take it easy in the first session. Unfortunately, as Gates headed out to the track his crew discovered a large crack in the turbine housing. They were able to swap it out in time for the second session. "I did not want to lose," he said.

Gates took a safe lap to get a time in the books and planned to press harder on the third lap. “I drove the car at ¾ - throttle and posted a 1:43.4 lap time, the fastest of the day in the Modified Class,” said Gates. “It was also a class track record.”

During the final lap, a few bolts fell of the turbine housing and caused problems with the boost. Even with all the issues, Gates and the AMS Team made it through the final weekend with another win to complete a perfect season.

Gates won each race he entered in 2009 and set records at each track. “Without the help of my sponsors, this season would not have been possible,” said Gates. “My K&N products last forever and help make power. The K&N air filter protects my engine from track debris. My K&N oil filter keeps a constant flow of fresh oil circulating through the engine. Oil filters are important in Time Attack because the engines are constantly revving at a high rate and K&N oil filters work.”

Gates will be back for the 2010 Time Attack season and is also testing out a Porsche for another possible racing series.

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