The Mitsubishi Motors UK works rally team recorded its second victory of the season when Ryan Champion from Castleton, North Yorkshire and his co-driver Craig Thorley from Pocklington, East Yorkshire won this weekend’s International Rally Yorkshire, the fifth round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.

It was a special moment for the Mitsubishi pairing as it was the first time they had won their home event – and they had done it by beating some of the best in Britain!

The result was a real boost for the team, following the last minute withdrawal of Champion’s team-mate Rory Galligan because of issues regarding his fitness.

The event featured 108 competitive miles split into12 special stages, two a short spectator-orientated affair around the rally’s host venue of Pickering Showground, the other 10 all challenging tests in the forests on the North Yorkshire moors.

After a successful shakedown a few days before the event Champion was feeling confident, especially as he won the first round of the British Rally Championship in May the last time the competition was on a gravel surface.

However, the pressure was on as non-finishes in the previous two rounds meant that to retain any hope of claiming the championship crown Champion had to win and his main rival Mark Higgins had to finish outside of the top 15 - a tall order indeed.

Things started well and Champion was immediately on the pace, holding second place for the first two stages, just behind fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Milner, also in a Mitsubishi. But it was close, with only 4.2 seconds separating the first five cars and significantly, Higgins was in fourth.

On stages three and four the lead changed. First Gwyndaf Evans took to the front, then Stuart Jones, but an off for Evans saw him drop back and a sheared brake caliper bolt for Jones heralded his retirement.  So after stage six – an 18.34-mile run through Dalby, the top three positions read Milner, 0.9 seconds ahead of Champion, followed by Higgins, a further 12 seconds behind, problems with his Subaru’s gearbox hampering his progress.

At the half-way service halt back in Pickering, Mitsubishi team boss Paul Brigden instructed Champion and Thorley to go for the win – and that they did, straight-away taking the lead from Milner on SS7, the second 0.5 mile run through the showground.

With the bit between their teeth, Champion and Thorley never faltered during a repeat run of the morning’s five stages in the North Yorkshire forests. But behind them it was still close and with his transmission restored to full fettle Higgins moved into second on SS10, just 7.2 seconds behind the Mitsubishi crew.

Only 0.1 second separated the title aspirants in stage 11 through Langdale, meaning the gap was 7.3 seconds when they headed into Dalby for the last stage. With no intention of losing his lead Champion blasted through the 18.34 mile forest stage to win the event by a final margin of 10.1 seconds.

A flawless performance from both car and crew represented a real triumph for the team, but it was not enough to keep Champion’s bid for the British title alive, as Higgins had held on to his second place.

The result moves Champion into third in the drivers’ standings with one round of the championship left to go – the Wales Rally of Great Britain, which takes place on 1st – 3rd December and also represents the final round of the World Rally Championship.

The Cirencester-based Mitsubishi Motors UK team is supported by: Pirelli, HKS, Shell Helix, PIAA, Speedline Corse and Performance Friction Brakes. The team’s Lancer Evolution IXs are built by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield, who are also responsible for running the cars on events.

Team Quotations

Ryan Champion - Driver

It’s great to win a round of the British Rally Championship – especially on my home soil.  I’m also pleased to have come out on top with such tough opposition, I can’t believe how close it was throughout the event. It’s a shame we’re now out of the running for the British title, but there was nothing else we could do today other than win and keep our fingers crossed that Mark (Higgins) didn't finish. Other than that everything went 100% for us today, and the car was perfect!”

Paul Brigden – General Manager, Mitsubishi Ralliart

“It’s a case of mission accomplished as far at this event is concerned. Ryan and Craig did the job they were asked to do and I’m delighted that they were able to win on home ground. I must also compliment the team for fielding a car that ran without missing a beat throughout the rally – especially an event as demanding as this. However, I have to admit that our celebrations are tinged with a little disappointment by not having Rory (Galligan) with us this weekend and to know that our hopes for  the championship are now over.  But we have proved that we have a winning formula and we now look forward to the next event.”

Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship
Round Five – International Rally Yorkshire

Final Results

1st Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 1:38:42.8
2nd Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza) 1:38:52.9
3rd Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 1:39.:16.6
4th Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX)  1:40:55.3
5th Phillip Morrow/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 1:41:35.7
6th Conrad Rautenbach/David Senior (Subaru Impreza) 1:41:43.9
7th Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Suzuki Ignis) 1:42:09.4
8th Kevin Stevens/Tim Sturla (Subaru Impreza) 1:43:02.0
9th Neil MCCance/Francis Regan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) 1:43:23.4
10th Robert Swan/Darren Garrod (Subaru Impreza) 1:44:18.6

Championship Positions

Drivers

Teams