During the initial years of Endurance Brasil, the category was home to a series of cars in its classes, originating from other categories, the vast majority after their extinction:
- Audi DTCC
- AMG Cup
- Brasileiro de Marcas
- Copa Montana
- GT Brasil
- Lancer Cup
- Spyder Race
- Stock Car Brasil
- Stock Car Light
- Trofeo Linea
- Trofeo Maserati
One of these transfers was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Cup R of Marco Scalamandré, Rodrigo Garcia and Ricardo Landi, who raced in the category between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, in addition to participating in traditional races such as the 500 km of São Paulo. But before getting to know the project, let’s remember the Lancer Cup:
Lancer Cup
The Lancer Cup had its first season contested in 2013, with the Lancer Evolution R, developed by Mitsubishi Racing from the Evo X. From the serial production model, the car kept the MIVEC Turbo Intercooler engine with 306 hp, as well as the all-wheel drive but equipped with the H-type 5-speed manual transmission present in the Lancer Evo X sold outside Brazil (in Brazil the Evo X was only offered with the 6-speed TC-SST dual-clutch transmission).
In addition, the sedan went through a weight reduction program (including hood, doors, fenders, trunk lid and fiber bumpers), received Enkei competition wheels with Pirelli slick 245/650-18 tires, Brembo brakes with Pagid pads, hydraulic lifting jack system and mandatory safety items such as roll bar, competition seat with 5-point belts and competition anti-flame system.
The first events were held in 2012, as a test, with the first championship held in 2013, in which Bruno Mesquita was crowned champion.
In 2014, a new model was developed for the category, the Lancer Evolution RS, which, compared to the R version, received an increase in power to 340 hp, a six-speed sequential transmission and several aerodynamic improvements. The RS champion of the 2014 season was Sérgio Alves, after a fierce battle with Bruno Mesquita and Fábio Viscardi, and Fernando Ewerton won for the R Class.
In 2015, Bruno Mesquita won the title in the RS class, with the duo Ricardinho Feltre and Mauro Neuenschwander sharing the title in the R class. The last season of the Lancer Cup was held in 2016, Elias Azevedo took the title in the RS Master, with Luiz Barcellos taking the title in the RS Light and again the duo Felter/Neuenschwander sharing the two-time championship in the R class.
The Lancer Evolution X in the Brazilian Endurance races
In 2017, the Lancer Cup was cancelled, and Mitsubishi sold the Lancers. One of the drivers to buy a racing Lancer was Marco Scalamandré, who acquired a Lancer Evolution R model and used it in some races and track day events, until Rodrigo Garcia saw potential in the Japanese sedan after seeing the good performance of the Fiat Copa Linea in the Endurance Brazil races and reading the championship regulations.
In addition, the rear differential setup was modified, greater weight relief was implemented and a Stock Car quick-fill nozzle was adapted to adapt to refueling during the race.
With this configuration, the trio Scalamandré, Garcia and Ricardo Landi debuted in the 500 km of São Paulo in 2017, fifth round of the Endurance Brasil Championship and held at Velocittà. As expected by the team, the car performed excellently and achieved second place in the GT2 class (which would have been a victory if it weren’t for a 1 lap + 2 second penalty).
For 2018, Endurance Brasil reformulated its regulations, and the GT2 and GT1 classes were unified, creating the new GT4 class, align the nomenclature to the main world championships, but with regulations adapted to the Brazilian reality. To adapt to the new regulations, the Lancer received yellow headlights (mandatory for GT models after 2018), in addition to the wheels and rear wing of the RS model. In this configuration, the trio achieved third place in the 4 Hours of Interlagos, behind the Audi RS3 TCR and the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG (and which would have been second place, had it not been for a flat tire mid race).
In 2019, Garcia and Scalamandré returned to participate in the 500 km of São Paulo with the Lancer, now completing the trio with Fernando Julianelli. For this new challenge, the car’s engine was modified to reach around 370 hp (65 hp more than the original), as well as the transmission that received a new 5th gear ratio, already available abroad and 11% shorter than the original. In the race, which was no longer part of the Endurance Brazil calendar, they achieved sixth place on the starting grid, completing the race in third place overall, winning in the class. TFL (Turismo Força Livre).
Results
Acknowledgement
I would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to Rodrigo Garcia who shared images and many of the stories that make up this publication!
