Mitsubishi Motors and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School Unleash the Next-Generation Lancer Evolution Experience II at Infineon Raceway

CYPRESS, Calif., July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) and the legendary Jim Russell Racing Drivers School have launched an exciting high-performance driving program that will allow drivers to take their skill set to a whole new level with the advanced Lancer Evolution Experience II at the challenging Infineon Raceway in beautiful Sonoma, California.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110706/LA31317-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110706/LA31317-b)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110706/LA31317-c)

Building on the outstanding curriculum and driving instruction offered in the popular Lancer Evolution Experience I, the new program has drivers tackling even more track time in the magnificent Mitsubishi Evolution X than in the original – and places special emphasis on timed competition from behind the wheel of Mitsubishi's iconic performance machine featuring race-ready equipment including a fully-integrated roll cage, Sparco racing seat and safety harness.

Students begin the Lancer Evolution Experience II by revisiting such critical high-performance driving criteria as line theory and driving dynamics in the classroom before heading out to the paddock to perform several key driving exercises (several of these exercises are timed), with Jim Russell's world-class driving instructors offering outstanding coaching every step of the way.

After a brief track orientation back in the classroom, the rest of the Lancer Evolution Experience II program consists of driving out on the track, with the instructors continually honing their student's driving techniques. The program culminates with a specially-designed "Time Attack" course on the Infineon Raceway that has an instructor belted in alongside the driver during the practice sessions to provide critical driving tips and feedback.

Then it's time for the grand finale – each student takes to the "Time Attack" track to put their newly acquired driving skills to the test against their fellow students in a race against the clock. The fastest driver from each school session will be invited back to compete in the Lancer Evolution Challenge Run Off – with the winner of this competition scoring free use of a Mitsubishi vehicle for a whole year.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has long been a favored race car of choice in the "Time Attack" time trial racing series that originated in Japan and has found enthusiastic support in the United States in the form of the Redline Pro Time Attack and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Time Trial series.

The daylong Lancer Evolution Experience II program costs $1,295 and is open to any graduate of the Lancer Evolution Experience I. For more information about this and other Mitsubishi Evolution high-performance driving courses offered at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, log on to jimrussellusa.com.

About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA will launch the battery-powered electric vehicle Mitsubishi i as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery-powered electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.