Mitsubishi Evo X takes Bathurst 12 Hour
February 23, 2009 by David Twomey
We don’t usually report on a lot of motor sport here at CarAdvice but a win in a genuine showroom production car race is worth a mention, especially as the outright victor was one of our favourite sports sedans, the Mitsubishi Evolution X.
Even more so when it is a back-to-back win and the first in the history of the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race.
After 12 hours and 239 laps, the 2009 WPS Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race was won by 2008 Bathurst 12 Hour champions Rod Salmon, Damien White, and new driver, Tony Longhurst, in a TMR-prepared Skwirk Mitsubishi Evo X.
It was a decisive win for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which dominated the top of the leader board with both of its Lancer Evolution X entries, and finished in first and second place respectively, and making up an Evolution X 1-2-3 on the 2009 podium.
Their team-mates, the TMR Evo X of Ricciardello, Crimp and Kostera, battled until the final hour when White began to pull away. The race was eventually won by 6.4 seconds.
“It’s one of the most spectacular results I could hope for, and the TMR Skwirk Evo X has been faultless,” said driver and team owner Rod Salmon.
“The team, Tony and Damien: I’ve got to take hat off to them, and what a legend Damian is. That last hour, the pressure – that’s why they call him Ice!”
“We came here and knew what we wanted to do, and it’s a big ask to win once – to win twice is a real fairytale, a dream come true.”
TMR manager Alan Heaphy said; “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.”
“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.”
2009 WPS Bathurst 12 hour -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 – 12:29.9865
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 – 12:01:48.1913
10. 62 T.Leahey/P.Hill/E.Bana – Love the Beast Mitsubishi Lancer RS – 12:01:56.3143
Print it: 
Good to see some racing success for Mitsubishi!
Bloody brilliant Mitsubishi ! Hows that for reliability ?
What race?
Sorry, someone had to say it. The general public had no idea anything was even on.
No publicity and little following. Where were all of the V8 SC bashers demanding better media coverage???
Was it on Pay TV? Didn’t even know there was a 12 hour event. How stupid are manufacturer in not getting behind this event and promoting to the point where it’s shown on TV. This is true touring car racing, not the crap they try sell us in V8 SC which have no connection to the road going versions.
!! PRIMO ??
Go the Lancer.
Where are the Porches?
Jash
It would have been interesting to see how a New F6 would have gone in this with a bit of backing from Ford.. very interesting… i think it would win it the first time but it would be up there… who knows… who of been cool if this was shown on TV, i would of watched it!
I think they normally have some highlights a week or so after the race dont they ?
There should be more news and coverage.
I know there are a lot of fans of the V8 SC but I’d prefer this type of racing whereby a number of different manufacturers take part-similar to the World Touring Car Championships.
This is why Holden and Ford don’t want competition in the V8SC because they’ll get flogged, Nissan done it easily and Mitsubishi, Honda and Toyota will do the same without mentioning Audi, BMW, Benz and Lexus with thier performance cars.
So what happened with the locally assembled Holdens and Ford, i thought their V8 powered cars were built for Aussie conditions.
I guess not.
BM,
thats about right.
about a week after the fact we usually see highlights
good to see some vetrens in Longhurst, Jones and bargs up there on the podium.
also good to see bargs has picked up a fulltime drive following his dominating stint in the minis last year
Well done Mitsubishi,proving the evo reaily is an Evolution of the species,Holden had a good showing 7th outright for GKS group Commodore R8 and 9th outright for the Waldon SS commodore which is a class E car .The lone Mazda in the race a Mazda 3MPS had Quick pace on track and opposite to last year realiy looked the goods as did the Hondas.Another highlight was the 1.5hr battle beteen the 350z & the Lotus Exige at the beginning laps of the race. Cars that were average, the reliable Toyota Celica’s finshed last in class,new ground for those boys and every STI DNF,and were never on the pace,on a fast lap they were 5 sec slower than the evo’s(sad),at one point the new STI was being harased by the MPS and ended up being overtaken.The FG Fords v8s looked obese and struggled(That hurts me)and no FG F6 to fly the flag,the ford had a very average day. I was a good day for racing and I think there is a three hour highlights package on channel 7 on the 11th of march.
Phill,
i think there was only one ford V8 in the race wasnt there??
certain lack of participation by ford.
Neh Mah Howwe……………V8 SC have never said they dont wont competion ,if they can bring a car to meet the standards then they can race ,simple as that!
You need to check the web site I think you will find Ford and Holden were represented in the 12 hour……………
Cough cough next to no Toyotas though …….again !!!!!
Bathurst 12 Hour Classes are…………..
* Class A – High Performance All Wheel Drive
* Class B – High Performance Rear Wheel Drive
* Class C – Hot Hatch Performance Cars
* Class D – Production Vehicles under $50K
* Class E – Production Sports under $50K
* Class F – Under 2.5 Litre Production
* Class G – Eco Diesel Over 3.5 Litre (No starters)
* Class H – Eco Diesel 3.5 Litres and Under [2]
Interesting to see who came second…………I spotted Stuart Kostera from my home town in Kalamunda,well done Stuart!
Oh and for all those that bagged the SS Sportwagon last year {that was a prototype and didnt finish} This year it came 15 outright and 6th I think in its class……..not bad for a WAGON!
What the hell is Eric Bana doing in a Mitsubishi though? Hes a Ford man ,and with his new “Love the Beast” movie coming out next month I thought he would have been in a Ford!
http://www.bathurstmotorfestiv.....esults.asp
The big question is, why didn’t Holden and Ford do better considering they ’supposedly’ design cars for Australian conditions.
Again, this is why Holden and Ford don’t want outside competition in the V8SC.
A pity there was no coverage on the day, but I guess broadcasting a 12-hour race live wouldn’t exactly be ideal for a free-to-air broadcaster. It’s not exactly the Olympics, after all ;)
Nah Andrew take a look at the results you will see how many Fords entered. Not as many as Holden though,your mate Steven was in it! Not sure what happened to him ?
Bavarian, i’m not a Toyota person by any means but traditionally the Toyota Celica has done well in it’s class. Also, i believe the Toyota Corolla’s have won the Rally Championship in Australia for the past 3 straight years and often finish 1-2.
This is a good result for Mitsubishi and one they can be proud of. Nissan conqured the local V8’s many years ago while Ford is virtually useless in the Australian Rally against the Japanese cars.
Holden and Ford don’t want comp in the V8SC and we all know why. I thought their cars were for local conditions, i guess not. They appear OK against one-another but not so good against others and the 12hr Production Race is a fine example.
The Holden wagon crashed out last year because of bad brakes, wouldn’t expect anything different from HSV.
Neh Mah Howwe you have issues with V8 Supercars then write them a letter!
Andrew M – No there were 2 a GTP and a XR8 both FG’s but there was ten V8 holdens,it was a bit hard to watch,class E had one olden in it Vs four Fords and the Holden won,no luck for the Ford fans this year mate
BM – The sportwagon was the only car that I could tell what it was with out seeing it by the Tyre cherping around the top of the mountian,no bull,I joked with my Holden loving nephew about it.
Were did i say i had issues, i’m just pointing out the obvious and that is despite what they advertise, the local Holdens and Fords are not so good against the competition especially on the track.
Nissan conquered the local ‘8s a few years back and in recent times Japanese cars have conquered the 12hr Production Races.
Why no Holden or Ford, i thought thier V8’s were ’supposedly’ made for endurance on Australian Roads.
I say again, we all know the real reason why Holden and Ford don’t want other brand names in the V8SC.
Mate this argument has been argued over and over and over again…………….
V8 Supercars have no problem with others entering they just have to meet the guidelines…………
What have you against the local product ? Toyota were invited but declined in the end!
So you were there Phil ? Lucky you………..Im wanting to go to Bathurst myself one day……….
Wheelnuts been there several times including as an official ,he will be walking around in something Holden next to me proudly in Mark Winterbottom……see,Holden and Ford people can get on wish some others on this site would!
Bavarian : So you agree, Holden and Ford don’t look so good on the track amoung the Japanese and European racers. Most us non-blinded souls already knew that.
Neh Mah Howwe – a Couple of commdores posted fastest laps that were 2-5 seconds off evo times,not bad for a heavy dinosour(sarcasim).Anti-spam word RACING
and quicker than any STI’s
The Japanese show up the local V8’s in Australian motorsracing once again.
Nissan conquered the local boys with the awesome GTR, Toyota dominates the Australian Rally with no Fords in sight of the front runners and Mitsubishi go EVO 1-2-3.
BM – Thanks BM,I watcthed the start and stayed on pit stright for a couple of hours,it seemed like about 45 mins,time flys when your having fun.Then went and walked around the top of the mountin it was a good day and i’d say the crowd doubled form last year,
Quote “Bavarian : So you agree, Holden and Ford don’t look so good on the track amoung the Japanese and European racers. Most us non-blinded souls already knew that. ”
What the………where did I say that ?
Phill……..you stayed there for how long ? Tell me, is the Hotel open there yet?
Are the cars in the race stock?
Some of those fastest lap times are quite surprising.
The xr6 turbo’s didn’t do that flash :S 10 seconds slower than the ss!
Neh Mah – Holden and Ford are designed for Australian Conditions.
As I have said before on other topics there are a lot more 10-15-20+ year old Holdens and Fords still out on our roads than there are Mitsubishis and Toyotas Nissans etc.
The Jap-Lovers counter-claim is always that it’s because Holden and Ford sold more cars.. which is irrelevant!
If you take it from a point where Holden Ford Toyota Mitsubishi and Nissan were all in Asutralia say from 1960.
The others have had the same amount tf time to sell as many cars as Ford and Holden have if Not more.. particularly Toyota given their [supposed] superior build quality and reliability
Why didn’t they because over that time Holden and Ford have proven their cars are buitl to Last and are built to deal with Australias unique environmental conditions and road surfaces etc.
Then there’s the fact that they are easier and cheaper to repair should anything go weong which is one of the reasons the Faclon and Commodore is stuill popular among teenage drivers and Car enthusiasts after a “project” car
Basically the ony non-factory feature is a Roll-Cage which meets CAMS standards.
BM – Had a good drive in the wee hours of the morning to get there and left at about 1.30pm to drive back to Sydney and the hotel isn’t finished yet,be good when it is,imgine watching racing for there.I forgot to mension the BMW’s, they looked fast and semingly the only car that could take it to the evos,and still no DNF’s for BMW in this races history,that a record in itself.
Would it reaily be that hard for HSV or FPV(with an F6) to shave 5 seconds off a lap if they were serious?Don’t think so.
Neh Mah Who – V8 Supercars; just like all other forms of Motorsport have a set of criteria which teams/manufacturers must meet inorder to be eligible to compete.
Despite what you might think Toyota Nissan Mitsubisho Porsche BMW etc aren’t BANNED from racing alongside the Holdens and Fords provided that their car is based on a 4 Door Family Sedan which is RWD and the car is Built in Australia. with an engine that can produce between 620-700Bhp..
As it stands at the moment Holden and Ford are the only ones with a car that meets the criteria – which I don’t think will change [that much] anytime soon given the popularity of the sport mainly due to the close competition.. somnething some other categories lack ATM
The Jap-Lovers counter-claim is that The Nissan GT-R was thrown out because it embarassed Ford and Holden.
However; you might be interested to know that Freddie Gibson who was the Team Owner/Manager of the Winfield Racing GT-Rs said in an interview at bathrst that even if they didn’t change the rulesetc; he doubts that the GT-Rs would have made it onto the track in 93 because he was finding it hard to find major sponsorship and it was too expensive for him to keep repairng and upgrading the cars.. and they were the champions!
BTW The rules didn’t just change in Australia they made similar changes to the rules in the UK and Europe too
Okay then… Here was a perfect opportunity for all of those people on this site who like to think that the V8 Supercars is the exclusive domain of Ford and Holden.. Those who want to see a race between more than just 2 manufacturers etc with cars that are more closely related to what is available in the showrooms etc
Yet how big was the crowd at the Bathurst 12 Hour….?
and how big was the crowd at the Bathurst 1000 last year
[or even the Clipsal 500]?
Says it all really!
Quote [BM]: So you were there Phil ? Lucky you………..Im wanting to go to Bathurst myself one day……….
Wheelnuts been there several times including as an official; he will be walking around in something Holden next to ME proudly in Mark Winterbottom……
Pphheeww…. I had to read that last staement [about Mark Witnerbottom] twice. That’s Okay
Neh – you’ve got to realise that in a race there are a number of other races going on within the race as the cars try to win their category.. and maybe even the overall win
The organisers do this because they realise that most sensible; logivcal educated people wouldn’t compare an AWD Turbo Charged 2.0 litre 4cylinder Sedan with a RWD V8 Sedan [which weighs almot twice as much]..
It helps give people an idea as to how a particular car competes on a level paying field against other cars in its class.
The fact that you keep going on about how a Japanese AWD Pocket Rocket “enihilated” an Aussie V8 Wagon or Ute shows that you lack the ability to do so – c’mon mate compare apples with apples.
Does anyone consider the drivers put behind the cars????
BM,
sure 15th is a good result for the sports wagon, but did you realise that it is piloted by 3 current and professional drivers???
Phill,
sure class E only had one Holden in it, but did you notice that it belonged to the Walden boys??
once again no real surprise to see it in that position. That same SS also spanked plenty of HSV’s
Also interesting to see that Grant Johnson can put his SS ute around the mountain quicker than the Walden boys can put the sedan version around……..
Yep I did Andrew but I think the point of the 12 hour is showing reliability.
Anderw M – Yea agree the Waldon boys have been there since the first 12hr,shows what a bit of persistance and development can do.Too bad there wasn’t more utes in there and I suppose having a super competitive ute series would help the ute boys with setup.Just hope someone enters an FG F6 next year be good to see how it goes.
Phill,
the walden boys have not only become 12hr bathurst regulars, but dont forget they have been competing in the production series for a very long time, and running that very same commodore too.
Also ALL of the XR6T’s were BF’s am I right????
Im not trying to make excuses, but even though is production racing a big factor is still the driver and team.
The podium consisted of 3 professional drivers that have done a massive amount of laps around the mountain over the years.
Throw them in a very competitive car in the EVO, and no surprise really
I’m suprised at the number of DNF WRXs.
Even more suprised at the little Honda Integras 12th & 13th!
There will be a 3 hour highlights package on tv on the 14th of march (i think)
There are also some onboard videos from the race winning Skwirk car, and images at http://www.bathurstrace.com.au
Yea your right Wokkan its the 14th not 11th on channel 7.
Is the roll cage the only part added/removed? Did they remove any stock stuff like backseats, floor trims and air cons etc? Can’t really tell from the pictures.
No – the current production car category is virtually the same as the old touring car competition from the 60-80sl where “everything” is as it was from the factory,
So if you were to look inside one of the cars from the 12hr you would see that it looks as though the roll cage has been driven through the dash and the back seats etc.
The fact that none of the cars use the single wheelnut like they do in V8 supercars is another indication of how standard the cars are
Andrew M – Didn’t see you post,yea your right all were BF’s and no FG’s,if there was an FG and it stayed on track,the Waldon boys would have had a hard fight on there hands.On the drivers i agree,I wonder how the GKS Group commodore would have done if it had the three sportwagon drivers???(not knocking the current drivers)
Dear Wheelnut,
Reference to your comment about Fords & Holdens selling more cars than the Japs.
1. Toyota has sold far more camry’s since the introduction of the wide body than Holden and Ford have sold of both their products combined. Ever.
2. Holden and Ford having tougher and better built cars? If you were to drive an 80s or 90s Accord/Civic/Camry/Corolla/626. You’ll find it’s likely still OK to drive, and probably still on its original engine and gearbox even after 300,000km. How many XF falcons are still on their original 3 speed BW gearbox and how many EA Falcons haven’t had their engine rebuilt? How many VN V6 commodores are still on their original engine as well. Not very many. The problems that plagued these cars (even when new) should be enough to defeat your blabbering.
But i’m guessing you have your opinions and will stick to them regardless.
Second.