2001 Evolution VII Ralliart RSII

Currently the main car in Professional Awesome's stable, Dan O'Donnell's weapon of choice for dispatching mile after mile of tarmac is a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII Ralliart RSII. Thankfully, the car has a repertoire that lives up to its long title. Dan never intended for the Evolution to become a track star, but as he attended more events, he saw potential.Import car enthusiasts may realize that the seventh iteration of Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution was never available in North America, but in a lucky series of events, a rare example of Mitsubishi's top performer found its way into Dan's possession.

The car was originally prepared to the Ralliart RS-II spec, which fitted the Evolution with a mild version of anti-lag, weight reduction over the stock Evolution, uprated suspension, and other modifications, all the while retaining both a Mitsubishi-backed warranty and air conditioning. Another enthusiast in America originally found the Evolution available for purchase overseas and had imported it for his brother, who had aspirations of racing it himself.

With a stroke of good fortune, Dan found the Evolution listed for sale online and was instantly attached to the idea of owning a rare and exceptional automobile. Dan and Mike made the trip down to Kentucky to retrieve the Evolution and returned to Lafayette at 3am, a proud owner. At the beginning, Dan had no intentions to turn the Evolution into a fire-breathing race machine, but after a few autocrosses, the temptation to race became too great. Having read about the Redline Time Attack series in 2008 in the pages of the late, great Sport Compact Car magazine, Dan had his sights set on entering the quickly expanding sport of Time Attack racing. Over the winter months of 2008 and early 2009, Dan analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Evolution and began a thorough reworking of the car.

Dan began with making small modifications to the Evolution. A set of coilovers led to a full exhaust, which led to a seemingly never-ending list of parts. The modifications have already made the Evolution VII an impressive car, but Professional Awesome is always striving to create a truly track-dominating automobile. In 2010, Professional Awesome plans to add more power, further hone the handling, strip more weight, and create a class-legal aerodynamics package. With the help of Professional Awesome's current sponsors, as well as that of potential future sponsors, 2010 should see the advent of an even more impressive Evolution.

Records/ Personal Bests

1:46.674 – Auto Club Speedway 2010 Redline Time Attack Street Tire track record

2:25.113 – Sebring International Raceway 2010 Redline Time Attack Street Tire track record

1:34.275 – Autobahn Country Club 2011 Global Time Attack Street Tire track record

1:11.611 – New Jersey Motorsports Park Lightning Raceway 2011 Global Time Attack Street Tire track record

1:48.648 – Infineon Raceway 2011 Global Time Attack Street Tire track record

1:32.276 – Road Atlanta 2012 Global Time Attack Street Tire track record

1:25.016 – Palm Beach International Raceway 2012 Global Time Attack Street Tire track record

Visit the Professional Awesome website for more info.

Car Name: The Professional Awesome Evo

Nickname: N/A
Year: 2001
Make: Mitsubishi
Model: Evolution VII
Chassis Code: CT9A
Engine: 4G63
Displacement: 2.4L
Boost Pressure: 30psi
Fuel: Ethanol E85
Power Output: ~500whp
Weight: ~3000lbs

Engine

  • Block: OEM 4G64
  • Crankshaft: Manley Performance Billet
  • Pistons: Manley Performance
  • Connecting Rods: Manley Performance
  • Main Studs: OEM Unmodified
  • Camshafts: Kelford Cams 272
  • Cam Gears: Fidanza
  • Timing Belt: Gates Racing Kevlar Timing and Balancer Shaft Belt
  • Valves / Valvesprings / Spring Retainers: Manley Performance
  • Head Gasket: OEM Equivalent from Autozone
  • Head Studs: MAPerformance Ultimate Duty H11
  • Air Intake: APS Intake
  • Intake Manifold: MAPerformance Rev 3
  • Throttle Body: Full Blown Motorsports
  • Turbocharger: MAPerformance EF4
  • Turbo Manifold: MAPerformance Tubular
  • Wastegate: Turbosmart
  • Blow-Off Valve: Turbosmart
  • Exhaust: MAPerformance o2 Eliminator with Borla 3″ Catback
  • Fuel Pressure Regulator: Turbosmart
  • Fuel Delivery: Bosch 044
  • Fuel Injectors: Fuel Injector Clinic 2150cc
  • Fuel Cell: MAPerformance/Professional Awesome Racing
  • Spark Plugs: NGK
  • Radiator: Agency Power
  • Intercooler: Extreme Turbo Systems
  • Oil System: OEM with MAPerformance/Setrab Oil Cooling System
  • Engine Management: OEM modified via EvoScan and Open ECU with Zeitronix ZT-2
  • Wiring Harness: OEM Modified by Professional Awesome Racing

Driveline

  • Transmission: OEM
  • Transmission Gearing: Evo IX 1st and 2nd gearset, Evo VII 3rd and 4th, JDM 5th gearset, with MFactory Final Drive
  • Clutch / Flywheel: Exedy Cerametallic Triple-Disc Clutch and Chromoly Flywheel
  • Differentials: OEM Helical Front, ACD Center Differential, Evo X SAYC Rear Differential
  • Axles: OEM Unmodified on 3 corners with custom Evo X and VII combo for driver rear

Suspension & Brakes

  • Shocks: KW Motorsport Series 2 Way
  • Springs: KW Motorsport Series
  • Sway Bars: Whiteline
  • Additional Suspension Work: Whiteline RearSway Bar Endlinks; Bushings: Whiteline Steering Precision Kit, Whiteline Roll Center Kit, AMS Delrin Trailing Arm Bushing, Perrin PSRS
  • Brakes: OEM Unmodified
  • Pads: CL RC-8 Front and RC-8 Rear
  • Brake Lines: Technafit
  • Additional Brake Work: DBA 5000 Series rotors; Girodisc Titanium Shims;Amsoil DOT 4 Fluid

Wheels & Tires

  • Wheels: 5Zigen F1NORC
  • Tires: Hankook RS-3 255/40-17

Exterior Modifications

  • Front Bumper: OEM Evo VII
  • Front Spoiler: Professional Awesome Front Splitter
  • Hood: Seibon CWII
  • Fenders: Flared Evo VII
  • Side Skirts: OEM
  • Rear Bumper: OEM
  • Rear Diffusers: None
  • Trunk Lid: Seibon OEM-Style
  • Spoiler/Wing: Kognition
  • Doors: OEM Unmodified
  • Livery Design/Graphics: Track Attack Graphics
  • Paint: OEM
  • Additional Exterior Work: Professional Awesome Headlight Deletes and Mirror Deletes

Interior Modifications

  • Cage: Cartel Chassis
  • Seat: Sparco
  • Harness: Schroth
  • Wheel: OEM MOMO
  • Instrumentation: AIM Sport
  • Additional Interior Work: Odyssey PC680 battery

Team

  • Team Principal: Mr. Belding
  • Driver: Daniel “Silky Johnson” O’Donnell 4/20/84
  • Driver Bio: Originally from California, sleeps a lot and thinks he’s only 3 race wins from beating Gran Turismo 2
  • Tuner: Daniel “The El Matador” O’Donnell
  • Crew Chief: Mike “Bear Jew” Lewin

Additional Crew Members

  • Chief Mechanic: Grant “The Scientist” Davis
  • Pit Crew: The whole of Ledyard Street and a few stragglers in Crawfordsville and the Chicagoland Area