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Mitsubishi Evo X Scores 1-2-3 Win At Bathurst 12hr Enduro

While Alfa Romeo won class honours at the Bathurst 12-hour with the 159 JTD and 147 JTD, it was Mitsubishi that snatched the overall win thanks to the Lancer Evolution X.
Rod Salmon, Damien White, and Tony Longhurst scored top spot in the Skwirk Mitsubis


While Alfa Romeo won class honours at the Bathurst 12-hour with the 159 JTD and 147 JTD, it was Mitsubishi that snatched the overall win thanks to the Lancer Evolution X.

Rod Salmon, Damien White, and Tony Longhurst scored top spot in the Skwirk Mitsubishi Evo X, while the West Surfing Products Evo X of Glyn Crimp, Tony Ricciardello and Stuart Kostura crossed the finish line just 6 seconds later.

Both cars were built by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, and both cars won the distinction of setting both the first and second-fastest laptimes too. Surprisingly, the TMR-built cars aren't all that far from factory-spec either.

The engine on the Squirk car is unopened, the turbocharger is standard and the only major changes were a stainless-steel 75mm turbo-back exhaust, Motec M800 ECU, Ralliart engine mount kit and a Ralliart competition clutch.

Suspension bushes were replaced with stiffer Ralliart items and Ohlins adjustable dampers were paired with TMR-developed springs, while the chassis was strengthened and made motorsport-safe with a chrome moly roll cage.

A TMR-developed four-piston AP brake package was fitted to the front hubs, with Ralliart competition Supertraction front and rear diff assemblies toughening up the drivetrain.

"I knew I was hopping into the best car out there, and it was proved today," said driver Tony Longhurst, a sentiment echoed by co-driver and team owner Rod Salmon: "It's one of the most spectacular results I could hope for, and the TMR Skwirk Evo X has been faultless."

TMR boss Alan Heaphy was also ecstatic at the result:

"How much better can you get, the 12 Hour win and the second-fastest lap time with one car, and second place and the lap record with the other," said Heaphy.

"We came here in 1991 with Nissan GT-R's and blitzed them, and we've done the same now with the Evo X. Brilliant."

The Lancer Evolution X of Steve Knight, Jason Bargwanna and Brad Jones came third, while the Evo IX of David Wall, Des Wall and Trevor Symonds missed out on a podium finish by a lap. Eric Bana's Evo X - also piloted by Tim Leahey and Peter Hill - nabbed 10th place outright.

For the full top-ten listing for the 2009 WPS Bathurst 12-hour, read on:

Final results

1. 1 R.Salmon/T.Longhurst/D.White

TMR Australia Mitsubishi Lancer RS

12:00:05.9576

2. 55 G.Crimp/T.Ricciardello/S.Kostera

West Surfing Products Mitsubishi Lancer RS

12:00:12.4363 - 2:29.9865*

3. 35 J.Bargwana/S.Knight/B.Jones

PRO-DUCT Motorsport Mitsubishi Lancer RS

12:01:39.6011

4. 43 D.Wall/D.Wall/T.Symonds

Easts Holiday Parks Mitsubishi Lacer GSR

12:01:10.3492

5. 11 B.Morcom/L.Searle/P.Stubber

Rondo Building Services BMW 335i

12:01:11.2521

6. 3 S.Jones/K.Wade/A.Caratti

Messages on Hold / Tyrepower Mitsubishi Lancer RS

12:01:55.2134

7. 23 S.Briffa/M.Zukanovic/T.Sipp

GSK Group Holden VE R8 Clubsport

12:03:51.0836

8. 20 G.Holt/P.Morris/R.Shaw

Eastern Creek Karts BMW 335i

12:00:56.9210

9. 24 G.Walden/B.Walden/M.Auld

Walden Motorsport Holden Commodore SS

2:01:48.1913

10. 62 T.Leahey/P.Hill/E.Bana

Love the Beast Mitsubishi Lancer RS

12:01:56.3143

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