Mitsubishi fields one-car team for Rally Yorkshire

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Round five of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the International Rally Yorkshire, will see just one of the Mitsubishi Motors UK Lancer Evolution IXs in action.

Due to concerns regarding his current level of fitness, Rory Galligan has chosen to pull-out of next weekend’s event, reporting that he does not feel confident that he can deliver a podium finish for the team this time around.

Paul Brigden, Team Principal and General Manager for Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart said: “It’s a great shame that Rory won't be joining us for this event, but its his decision and we quite understand if he doesn’t feel fit enough to drive.”

The team’s efforts will now be concentrated on Galligan’s team-mate, Ryan Champion, who is disappointed to see his friend and sparring partner sit this one out, but is looking forward to this event for a number of reasons:

“I’ll be pleased to get back behind the wheel having had a non-finish on the previous two rounds. With this being my most local rally and the first event I ever did, back in 1992, I naturally feel more at home in the Yorkshire Forests, but there are so many roads it’s difficult to remember the stages with any detail. It will be good to get back on gravel too – bearing in mind I won the only round of the BRC that’s been on a loose surface so far.”

Champion (from Castleton, North Yorkshire), together with his co-driver Craig Thorley (from Pocklington, East Yorkshire), realise that their quest to revitalise any Championship aspirations will be a tough one. To lift the title, they have to win both this and the final round, with Subaru driver Mark Higgins finishing outside the top 15 on both occasions.

“I have to admit it’s a long-shot, but I’m sure Ryan and Craig will do the best they can for us”, said Brigden. “Whatever happens I expect to see them at the front of the field, but there are another two former British Champions in the shape of Jonny Milner and Gwyndaf Evans they will also have to contend with of course.”

The International Rally Yorkshire, formally the Trackrod Rally, is the only one-day event in the British Rally Championship calendar. However because of its carefully designed and compact route, mainly in the Yorkshire Forests, the event is able to feature a total of 108 competitive miles and 12 timed special stages. Based in Pickering, competitors will start at 8.00 am and finish at 7.00 pm.

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

For more info visit: http://www.evo-challenge.com

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