MT-EVO
09-05-2006, 09:19
PRESS INFORMATION
For Immediate Release
8th May 2006
EVOLUTION CHALLENGE ENTERS A NEW ERA
Mitsubishi series begins first full British Rally Championship campaign
Pirelli Rally kicks off sixth year of Evolution Challenge
Quality entries assure closely fought season
This weekend's Carlisle-based Pirelli International Rally sees the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge begin its sixth season and its first with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
With the BRC excluding World Rally Cars this year, Class R4 (production category) machinery, such as the Mitsubishi Evolution, will feature at the head of the field and therefore Evo Challenge competitors will have a real opportunity to battle for the overall British title, as well as series honours.
For the third year in succession Mitsubishi Motors UK are offering the series winner the prize of a fully-funded works drive, an award which has tempted some of the country's most aspiring young drivers to sign-up for the Evolution Challenge.
Second and third in last year's series, Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow, will resurrect their rivalry as they go head-to-head in brand new Evo IXs. They will be joined by other young chargers, also in latest spec Lancers, Connor McCloskey and Stephen Petch, the latter no stranger to the British Championship.
On the more seasoned side of the coin, this year's Evolution Challenge will see battles re-visited by former British Champions, Jonny Milner and Gwyndaf Evans, again both in new Evolution IXs.
Predictably, the series has also attracted entries from Ireland, besides Connor McClosky Neil McCance also returns to the Evolution Challenge. Shaun Gallagher makes his series debut and it is expected that other Irishman will follow suit as the season progresses and the surface changes from gravel to asphalt.
Adding his name to the Mitsubishi entry list is Dougie Hall, who is destined to be challenging for honours and become a serious contender for the title.
"We are excited about the prospect of our first year with the British Championship." Said Evo Challenge Coordinator, Simon Slade. "With such a high quality of competitors and the addition of the Wales Rally GB as the final round, we are confident that this season will prove to be the series' most competitive and high profile yet."
With nine entries confirmed and a total of 38 cars in the event, the Evolution Challenge continues to represent nearly a quarter of the overall field.
The Pirelli Rally starts in Carlisle city centre at 08.00 on Saturday morning. Competitors then tackle eight timed special stages in the infamous Kielder Forest and two spectator stages at 'Zero', a spectator stage just a few miles outside Carlisle. Sunday's leg starts at 07.00 with a further five stages in Keilder and a final showdown at 'Zero' before the finish back in Carlisle at 13.30.
The Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.
2006 Evolution Challenge Round One - Pirelli International Rally (13th & 14th May).
Registered drivers/co-drivers in start number order:
6. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor)
7. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth)
12. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech)
15. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley)
19. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law)
24. Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny)
26. Doug Hall (Appleby)/Steve Clark (Elgin)
31. Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin)
34. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan)
ENDS
Photo Caption
Ryan Champion and co-driver Craig Thorley on their way to winning last year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. With such a strong entry for this year’s series it’s a brave person who predicts who will emerge as 2006 Champion and 2007 Mitsubishi works driver (copyright free image).
For media enquiries and copyright free images please contact the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Series Coordinator & Press Officer, Simon Slade:
Tel: 01935 424873 | Mob: 07966 153555 | E.mail: simon@rpmpromo.com
For all other enquiries, please contact:
Mitsubishi Ralliart: Paul Brigden
Tel: 01285 647680 | E.mail: p.brigden@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Mitsubishi Motors UK Press Office: Gabi Whitfield
Tel: 01285 647200 | E.mail: g.whitfield@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
For the latest Evolution Challenge news, visit: www.evo-challenge.com
For Immediate Release
8th May 2006
EVOLUTION CHALLENGE ENTERS A NEW ERA
Mitsubishi series begins first full British Rally Championship campaign
Pirelli Rally kicks off sixth year of Evolution Challenge
Quality entries assure closely fought season
This weekend's Carlisle-based Pirelli International Rally sees the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge begin its sixth season and its first with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
With the BRC excluding World Rally Cars this year, Class R4 (production category) machinery, such as the Mitsubishi Evolution, will feature at the head of the field and therefore Evo Challenge competitors will have a real opportunity to battle for the overall British title, as well as series honours.
For the third year in succession Mitsubishi Motors UK are offering the series winner the prize of a fully-funded works drive, an award which has tempted some of the country's most aspiring young drivers to sign-up for the Evolution Challenge.
Second and third in last year's series, Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow, will resurrect their rivalry as they go head-to-head in brand new Evo IXs. They will be joined by other young chargers, also in latest spec Lancers, Connor McCloskey and Stephen Petch, the latter no stranger to the British Championship.
On the more seasoned side of the coin, this year's Evolution Challenge will see battles re-visited by former British Champions, Jonny Milner and Gwyndaf Evans, again both in new Evolution IXs.
Predictably, the series has also attracted entries from Ireland, besides Connor McClosky Neil McCance also returns to the Evolution Challenge. Shaun Gallagher makes his series debut and it is expected that other Irishman will follow suit as the season progresses and the surface changes from gravel to asphalt.
Adding his name to the Mitsubishi entry list is Dougie Hall, who is destined to be challenging for honours and become a serious contender for the title.
"We are excited about the prospect of our first year with the British Championship." Said Evo Challenge Coordinator, Simon Slade. "With such a high quality of competitors and the addition of the Wales Rally GB as the final round, we are confident that this season will prove to be the series' most competitive and high profile yet."
With nine entries confirmed and a total of 38 cars in the event, the Evolution Challenge continues to represent nearly a quarter of the overall field.
The Pirelli Rally starts in Carlisle city centre at 08.00 on Saturday morning. Competitors then tackle eight timed special stages in the infamous Kielder Forest and two spectator stages at 'Zero', a spectator stage just a few miles outside Carlisle. Sunday's leg starts at 07.00 with a further five stages in Keilder and a final showdown at 'Zero' before the finish back in Carlisle at 13.30.
The Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.
2006 Evolution Challenge Round One - Pirelli International Rally (13th & 14th May).
Registered drivers/co-drivers in start number order:
6. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor)
7. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth)
12. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech)
15. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley)
19. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law)
24. Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny)
26. Doug Hall (Appleby)/Steve Clark (Elgin)
31. Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin)
34. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan)
ENDS
Photo Caption
Ryan Champion and co-driver Craig Thorley on their way to winning last year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. With such a strong entry for this year’s series it’s a brave person who predicts who will emerge as 2006 Champion and 2007 Mitsubishi works driver (copyright free image).
For media enquiries and copyright free images please contact the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Series Coordinator & Press Officer, Simon Slade:
Tel: 01935 424873 | Mob: 07966 153555 | E.mail: simon@rpmpromo.com
For all other enquiries, please contact:
Mitsubishi Ralliart: Paul Brigden
Tel: 01285 647680 | E.mail: p.brigden@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Mitsubishi Motors UK Press Office: Gabi Whitfield
Tel: 01285 647200 | E.mail: g.whitfield@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
For the latest Evolution Challenge news, visit: www.evo-challenge.com