WRX vs. EVO

The bad blood spilled between the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi EVO camps has been boiling for more than a decade. This battle rivals the forward- vs. rear-wheel-drive drag races often witnessed at Battle of Imports in Palmdale, Calif. While an all-wheel-drive king has yet to be crowned, passionate owners from both camps are quick to argue they are the superior and their rivals inferior. On April 17, 2005 competitors gathered at the Tsukuba circuit, located in the Ibaraki prefecture of Tokyo, to settle the score at this year's 2005 Hyper Meeting. Over 6,000 spectators lined the grandstands to cheer on their favorite vehicles on the 1.271-mile Tsukuba 2000 course.

Just as the sun began to pour over the track, hundreds of drivers from all parts of Japan filed onto the circuit for a five-lap battle. Manufacturer and works teams like HKS and Okuyama (Carbing) were separated into two segregated sanctions, Open Class and Street Class. Under strict rules and regulations, all participants in the Open Class must use an "S" series grip tire. These tires are utilized in time attack. Other modifications like fuel management tuning, engine modifications and turbo upgrades are permitted. Street Class competitors are met with more stringent guidelines, as each vehicle must have a full interior with air conditioning, and a catalytic converter. Also, all Street Class cars are required to sport radial tires; race slicks are off-limits.

Taking home both the day's fastest lap and Open Class category honors was Wada Q.'s 650-hp, white and red Original RunDeuce CT9A Evolution VIII. Wada blistered the track with a best time of 0'58.994 seconds. Kinoshita Mitsuhiro took second-place honors with a 0'59.355-second lap time in his sick-looking Trial EVO VIII MR. Subrau didn't want to be outdone by the 4G63 family: The camp's top contender was Hiroshi Koizumi who recorded a 1'01.085-second lap time in the Bozz Speed GDB Spec C WRX.

The Street Class platform resembled that of the Open Class with Mitsubishi again taking top honors. Again Wada Q. knifed through the track with a 1'04.031-second lap time in the white HKS/Kansai Service EVO IX. Not far behind was FT Project's WRX GDB Spec C, which scorched the pavement with a course best of 1'04.996 seconds.

Spectators were treated to a day chock-full of events beginning with a smoke-filled, four-wheel power-slide exhibition from two Group N-Spec'd rally cross vehicles on the Tsukuba tarmac. Old schoolers walked down memory lane as classic Subarus took to the track in a heated, winner-takes-all event. Select spectators were also given rides in Japan's top GT300 and WRC cars to truly experience the meaning of motorsports. But nothing could compare to the sights and sounds of the Cusco-sponsored GT300 Subaru WRX, piloted by Katsuo Kobayashi, running full throttle through the chicanes.

Top manufacturers like Defi and East Cloud flossed their fully tuned monsters in a no-holds-barred race midway through the event. In a tight bumper-to-bumper battle, Norio Sato, piloting the Varis EVO VIII MR, managed to take first place in Class A with a best time of 0'59.731 seconds. Second-round honors (Class B) were awarded to ATS & Across' white and orange GDB, which clocked a best of 1'01.645 seconds.

As a top automotive event in Japan, the 2005 Hyper Meeting was a huge success for both manufacturers and spectators alike. How successful you ask? The ear-to-ear grins should be an indication. You can count on 2NR to cover all the spills and chills at next year's 2006 Hyper Meeting. Until then, keep your eyes and ears peeled for next year's schedule.