Who is Betty? Some say that when you rev her engine, an angel gets it’s wings. Others say, that when she passes you… there’s a little asian girl behind the wheel smiling. All we know… is that she’s a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, and she’s.. mine.
The journey started in May of 2006 when I finally got a promotion to a full-time position at the Calgary Sun. I decided that it was time to get a car, not a shit-box… something nice, and I narrowed it down to 3 choices…. a 2005 Acura RSX sitting on Mazda’s used lot, a 2006 Hynudai Tiburon V6, and a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.
My Mom accompanied me to the dealerships (she can get a deal like no other, well.. maybe Dave.) I test drove the RSX, but didn’t like the one I drove, the steering seemed a little off. Then we went to Mitsubishi… and you could say that I never made it over to Hynudai… that day, I was approved for my Ralliart…
Betty at the Street Car Challenge 2007
Betty and I have gone through many changes in our lives, but the most prominent change in our life was the introduction of Morpheus256 aka, Dave. Dave and I connected through Mitsubishi enthusiast site, MitsuNation.net… and have been together since 2007. Our common interest in our cars and compatible personalities helped us form a great relationship.
Dave and I on the Beyond Cruise - Photographed by Eric Stenberg
In 2007, I also took the step forward to learn motorsport… to try and better my driving skill … so I began drag racing at the local track, Race City speedway. The track isn’t the best track in the world, you get mauled by mosquitoes when you spectate, the track is bumpy and not as well-maintained as I would like, but it’s a track.. and it’s usable.
I raced my first drag race in April of 2007, and have been hooked on speed since then. The Lancer isn’t the fastest car on the track, but she does the trick. I learned quickly the sweet spots on when to shift, and how to launch.
In my experience with the “Tuner-world” I have had the privilege to be able to work with Hyatt Mitsubishi on arranging HAN (Hot August Nights) 2007, and 2008.
HAN 2008 was the largest show that Hyatt has ever had, with over 40 single make vehicles showing up from different locales such as Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, and Ontario. It was a double whammy weekend with the Cool Cars Cruising for Cancer Benefit cruise happening that same weekend. It was a great meet, and a great experience to meet all sorts of people from different walks of life with the same love for the Mitsubishi brand.
It was a great experience for all, and I hoped to continue the show circuit in 2008. By then, most of MitsuNation’s 2004-2006 body style members have moved on… and so came the new crop of members in 2008. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in: HAN 2006-2008, MN’s Annual Alberta Meet in Sylvan lake 2007-2008, Street Car Challenge 2007 (Betty won Best Girl Tuner), Driven to Perform Calgary and Edmonton 2008.
Betty at Driven to Perform Calgary - 2008
Current Modifications:
__engine
Injen RD1833 CAI/SRI
RRM Underdrive Pulley
Apex’i KA156008 Exhaust
carbon fibre coilpack cover
sokie tech hood dampers
custom paint
____exterior
Cerious Performance Carbon Fibre Eyelids
Smoked 05 Spec Tails
Smoked Sidemarkers
Debadged ass
Limo Tint in rear, and non-limo tint on the front
Projector Headlights
NN logo on rear pillar / Heartagram
Shorty S2K Antenna
Black Calipers/ Purple Caliper Decals
Konig Heatsink 17″ Rims
Kumho Ecsta 217 tires [new tires this year!]
____suspension
Tein S-tech lowering springs
Ralliart 3 point strut tower brace
_____interior
MOMO Racing Evo Shift Knob
Neural Negative badge in front
rexpeed dry carbon evo dash panels
rexpeed carbon fibre gauge cluster
_____electrical
eurolite HID bulbs
red LED parklights
clarion vrx785bt dvd headunit
Stinger Wiring
Kenwood Amp
Sony 10″ Sub
bassworx ported sub enclosure
iPod and bluetooth integration
///awards and acheivments
Cover Car for Urbane Monthly – June 2007
15.9 Quartermile – Car 391 – Race City Secret Street- Calgary
Best Girl Tuner – Street Car Challenge 2007 – Calgary
Participated in: Hot August Nights 2006, Street Car Challenge 2007, Hot August Nights 2007, Cool Cars Cruising for Cancer 2007, Driven to Perform 2008 – Calgary and Edmonton, Hot August Nights 2008, and of course.. every Friday Night… Secret Street
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