Dominating Time Attack: The Story of AMS Performance's Evo 10 'TAX'

Evolution of AMS Performance's Racing Program

• 💡 AMS Performance initially focused on drag racing and transitioned into road racing around 2005, converting a drag Evo into a road race car for the 'One Lap of America' event, where it placed seventh out of nearly 100 cars.
• 🚀 The following year, they built a dedicated Time Attack car, an Evo 8 named TA2, which won its class and placed third overall, achieving significant success.

The Rise of the Evo 10 'TAX'

• 🚗 In 2008, AMS Performance embraced the Evo 10, building parts for it and winning the Sport Compact Car Challenge. Mitsubishi noticed their capabilities and provided them with a press car.
• 🏆 They dominated a Mitsubishi-sponsored EVO Challenge, winning a lease on a Rally Art car, a significant accomplishment that marked their recognition by a manufacturer.
• ✨ The Evo 10 was transformed into 'TAX', an unlimited class Time Attack car, sponsored by NOS Energy Drink, and despite a limited budget, they achieved dominance through smart modifications and DIY efforts.

Building and Racing 'TAX'

• 🛠️ The team operated with a $60,000 budget, which included purchasing a custom-built rig for hauling the car, often looking more professional than their budget suggested.
• 🥇 'TAX' was an unlimited class Time Attack car that dominated the Redline Time Attack Series, winning every race except one, which they famously used as a doorstop out of embarrassment.
• 🎨 A unique detail of the build was a custom upholstered dash featuring ostrich and alligator skin, which, despite initial aesthetic appeal, was later replaced with carbon fiber due to driver distraction concerns.
• 🤯 The build involved extensive custom work, including acid dipping the chassis, custom suspension, a unique rear-mounted wing for leverage, and a robust front splitter capable of supporting significant weight.

Competition and the End of an Era

• 🏁 In the unlimited class, 'TAX' competed against heavily modified cars from Subaru, Acura NSX, and Porsche, showcasing significant innovation and performance.
• 🏆 The 2009 Redline Time Attack season is considered a pinnacle of the sport, with AMS Performance, featuring drivers Paul Gerard (The Stig) and Mark Daddyo, achieving great success.
• 📉 Sponsorships, like NOS Energy Drink, were lost after such dominant performances, and the sport became increasingly expensive, with teams like Sierra Sierra investing heavily in suspension and rigs, shifting Time Attack from grassroots to a more affluent game.
• 🔒 The 'TAX' car was retired in 2010 and sold for private track days, marking the end of its racing career.