This week I sat down with the leader of Racer's Evolution, Jacob Achtenberg.

JA: Well first is getting our younger generation of kids to be more reliable and attend more events. Today we have problems with kids not being able to stay in one place for a long period of time. Its the members that make this club.

CCU: About how many members does Racers Evolution currently have and how many of those do you think fall into that "young" category?

JA: Well, there are about 35 members in all three chapters including Bismarck/Mandan, Dickinson, and Las Vegas. Of the 35, I would say 10 would fall into the "young" category.

CCU: So young ones make up a large percentage of your club. Let's talk about you. What kind of car is it you drive and what have you done to make it better?

JA: I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. I currently have Megan Coilovers, Weapon Racing Intake, Weapon Racing Load Equalizer, Witeline Racing Lower Ball Join and Outer Tie Rod End, Apexi N1 Cat Back Exhaust, Greddy Informeter, AGP Front Mount Intercooler, Magnicore Spark Plug Wires, and a Custom Mail In Flash of the ECU. For the body I have an Extream Dimensions Body Kit. I know im forgetting a lot of stuff but thats what I can come up with off my head lol. Ohh yeaa and Rota Torque 17' by 8' rims.

Jacob's 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

CCU: In other words, you've definately done some work to it. When did you buy the car and what was the main reason you bought it?

JA: I will have had it for exactly one year coming up this next month. I fell in love with the EVO a long time ago becuase of the looks and performance of the car. If you ask any one person who knows me, my daily vocab includes the word EVO in it. It's a perfect car for ND. It's 4WD and it has plenty of power for the things i love to do in the summer. I grew up around cars, always taking them apart so I will always be the go to guy for car work in my family...

CCU: I know you like to Auto-X and I know there's one coming up in a week or two here in Bismarck. How is the competition here? Is it hard to place in the top racers around here?

JA: There are A LOT of good drivers with really nice cars. Corvettes, Lotus, Carmaro's with Corvette engines and I cant forget the Subaru dealership parked at every autocross event. I race more for the fun of feeling out of control in the car that I work on more often than I drive. It's never too hard to place in the top 10 you just need to be disiplined in the art of driving and not get too crazy.

Inside the hood!

CCU: I've come out to a couple of the Auto-X's but it seems to me like most people aren't being crazy enough with their cars. It seems to me like nobody wants to push them. Do you think it's better to be too crazy or better to keep on the safe side?

JA: I think there is a fine line between being able to push your car to its full out potential and being stupid to the point of hurting someone.  I think if your going to pay $30.00 to race your car, come with your race face on and get ready to have your foot or girlfriend surgically removed from your car after the race.

CCU: Haha, very nice. I think that's about all I've got for questions except of course...what's your dream car?

JA: I have it... I have been working my ___ off for this car. I worked myself from a $100 van to a $27,000 EVO. I am done with my dream car purchase. But, if I could drive a rare car I would drive a Dodge Omni GLH.

CCU: Sounds good man. Thanks a lot and good luck at the upcoming race!

Register and leave us a comment on this article!