DSM Shootout 2007 - Wakeman Ohio

If you grow corn for a living, chances are you like rain. For the rest of those residing in and along the boonies officially endeared to as northern Ohio, perhaps not so much. Such is the case with the president of Buschur Racing, David Buschur, promoter of the company's annual DSM Shootout. This year marks the first time in 15 years that wet weather has gotten the best of Buschur and cut his event short. For one weekend each August the small township of Wakeman, Ohio, for the most part, succumbs to Buschur Racing, transforming itself into a Mecca of all things Mitsubishi. Main Street becomes less of an actual street but is instead blocked off, resembling something more along the lines of an all-Mitsubishi paddock chock full of AWD, turbocharged prowess complete with Buschur banners draped across telephone poles. Despite the clout Buschur may have among the tiny town of Wakeman, it's of little significance when it comes to that predictably sketchy Midwest weather.

Fortunately, this particular Diamond Star and EVO gala spans the weekend and Saturday brought nothing but clear skies and mild temperatures. At least 300 Mitsubishis and more than 1,000 enthusiasts made the trek from places as far off as California, Florida and points in between. The usual suspects were there, including first and second generation Eclipses, Talons and Lasers, EVO VIIIs and IXs, and a small gathering of 4G63-equipped Colts, even Mirages and Diamantes. Dispersed among some of the more predictable were a 4G63-powered Pontiac Fiero (really), an FD RX-7 motivated by the same (somewhat sacrilegious but nevertheless cool), and one of the most well executed RWD-converted first generation DSMs we've seen in some time featuring beautifully fabricated aluminum wheel tubs, a Chevy rear end and one heavily built powerplant. As with all Buschur events, the dyno competition took up the better part of the day, resulting in more 500+hp, four-cylinder pulls than you're likely to see anywhere else at any given time, almost guaranteed. Al Freidman's previously Turbo magazine featured EVO VIII took home First Place bragging rights posting an 817whp best - even second and third were occupied by mid-700whp cars - impressive, considering Buschur Racing's dyno typically reads much lower compared to its competitors.

And then came the rain. Sure, spending the day at Summit Motorsports Park in nearby Norwalk would have been our first choice given the option - not being cooped up in the nearby Hampton Inn - but Saturday's events almost made up for the involuntary imprisonment. Almost.