Matador Tyres shows winning performance

Posted: October 28, 2004 7:34 PM

The former works Peugeot driver produced a stunning display of consistent driving to romp away with the title, despite great pressure from season long rival Paul Wedgebury.

Whilst the man from the Midlands struck puncture problems early on, Galligan used the SM-8 version of the Matador gravel tyres to great effect in the treacherously slippy Welsh forests. Galligan and co-driver Jonty Bolsover were simply unmatchable in their VRS Motorsport run Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8.

Llandrindod Wells based Matador Tyre Sport UK were delighted to team up with Rory earlier in the season, and the ever consistent Irish ace has excelled since his change of tyre supplier. Galligan even setting fastest stage times overall in the ANCRO National Rally Championship over the course of the season using Matador products.

Matador Tyre Sport MD Graham Middleton was delighted with the result:

"Rory has done a magnificent job this season - I think its fair to say that he tried the rest but he won with the best! Rory has been full of praise for the Matador SM-8 gravel tyre, and has set some fabulous stage times using them. We're delighted with the way Rory has gone about things this year, as he has been totally professional and thoroughly deserved the title of Mitsubishi Evo Challenge Champion. I'm very happy that Rory chose Matador as he has given yet more proof of just how capable the tyres are. I'm sure a few more Mitsubishi crews will be looking at the Matador tyres to get the competitive edge in 2005!".

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26/10/04
Galligan is Champion
Rory Galligan - Latest Rally News

Driving a VRS Motorsport Mitsubishi Evolution VIII, Rory Galligan, from Oldcastle, became the 2004 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Champion and will be awarded what is described as “the best prize in British rallying”: A works drive in the British Rally Championship, fully supported by Mitsubishi UK.

Galligan, together with his co-driver Jonty Bolsover from Chesterfield, achieved this most coveted of victories by winning the eighth and final round of the one-make series for Group N (production specification) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, the Bulldog Rally, which took place in the forests of Mid and North Wales on Saturday.

The Irishman went to the event knowing he had to beat his year-long rival, Paul Wedgbury, both drivers in with an equal chance of winning the Evo Challenge title and therefore it was a case of the first across the line would claim the ultimate prize.

Even with the conditions made slippery and unpredictable by the heavy rain, Galligan was on the pace right from the start and launched himself into the lead by 11 seconds, his advantage boosted when Wedgbury suffered a puncture just two miles into the opening stage.

When the teams reached the first service halt of the day after contesting two stages, Galligan had accrued a 27 second lead, albeit having to overcome a fractured brake pipe on SS2. Now into the groove, the Irishman proceeded to stun the opposition with a spectacular display of committed yet controlled driving over the event’s remaining seven special stages.

It was considered that Galligan’s pace would level off once he had a comfortable lead, but far from it, he was on top of his game and relentlessly posted a string of impressive stage times.

Such was Galligan’s performance, he was not only the first Evolution Challenge competitor home, but also claimed Production Class honours and finished an impressive 5th overall.

“This is what I have been working for all year”, said a delighted Galligan at the finish in Shrewsbury. “Today went very well. The car performed superbly throughout the event which gave me the confidence to drive it so fast. I must thank the VRS Motorsport Team for all their efforts and support, all of which has made this victory and my woks drive for next year possible.”

VRS Motorsport Boss, Geoff Lennox, said:
“This is a great result by Rory and Jonty and a fantastic achievement for the team in our first year of motorsport. We are confident this will lead to more victories for VRS. Rory was simply the best driver in the series and we wish both him and Jonty best wishes for their 2005 campaign in the British Rally Championship.”

Galligan’s rally programme is supported by: VRS Motorsport, Respa Beds, Dalco Nitrogen Systems, Dromore Meats, Loxley Vehicles, Matador Tyres and Speedline Wheels.

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19/07/04
Rory Galligan - Swansea Bay Report
A performance worthy of the record books saw Rory Galligan together with his co-driver Jonty Bolsover recover from early mechanical problems to take fourth place in round six of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, on Saturday's Swansea Bay Rally.

At first glance fourth place in the highly competitive series for Group N Mitsubishi Evolutions would not appear to be Galligan's, from Oldcastle and Bolsover's, from Chesterfield, best performance this season, especially after recording two first and two second places so far - but the story of their rally suggests otherwise.

As they left the start ramp in Swansea Galligan was aware that his car's engine was down on power, the brand new turbo-charger fitted before the event failing on the run out to the first of the rallies seven stages in the forests surrounding the Neath Valley.

With no choice but to drive through the 15 mile test in Resolven Forest at an agonisingly slow pace, Galligan could see his Evolution Challenge title hopes disappearing fast. With nearly four minutes lost and now a lowly 15th of the Evo runners, he and Bolsover eventually made it to the first service halt where the offending item was replaced.

With full power restored Galligan went on a mission to make up for lost time and although the team did not have time to fit the car's all-important sump guard for stage two, Galligan was on fire and posted not only the fastest Evolution Challenge time, but the quickest Group N Class (the category for near standard specification cars) time as well.

With the VRS Motorsport Mitsubishi back to 100%, Galligan proceeded to prove his undeniable talent and went on to record the fastest Group N time on all remaining stages. His pace was such he and Bolsover were never out of the top 10 for the overall National Championship field, collecting times good enough for third overall on the fifth stage and equal first on the seventh and final stage!

As the car crossed the finish line back in Swansea, the man breathing the biggest sigh of relief was Bolsover, who commented:
"I have never been driven as quickly in a rally car as I have been today. It was the ride of my life."

Although fourth place was not the result he was looking for, Galligan was satisfied with his day's work:
"I'm pleased that when the turbo was fixed we were quicker than all others in our class, sometimes by a considerable margin. I felt very confident with the car and the new Matador tyres, so if we can keep this pace up for the final two rounds of the championship, then we are still in with a good chance of the Evo Challenge title."

Galligan's and Bolsover's hard work on this event means that they retain their second place in the Evolution Challenge, just three points behind the current leaders, Paul Wedgbury and Neil Dashfield.

Galligan's 2004 rally programme is supported by: Respa Beds, Dalco Nitrogen Systems, Dromore Meats, Loxley Vehicles, RMS Office Supplies, Matador Tyres and Speedline Wheels. His Mitsubishi Evolution VIII is built, prepared and run by VRS Motorsport of Chesterfield.

There is now a break of eight weeks before round seven of the Evolution Challenge, the Newton Steward based Park Systems Stages, which takes place in the forests of Dumfries and Galloway on 11th September.

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GALLIGAN GOES FOR IT
07/07/04
Rory Galligan kept his chances of becoming Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Champion and a Mitsubishi works driver in 2005 well and truly alive this weekend, by finishing a hard fought second in round five of the series, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally driving his VRS Motorsport Mitsubishi Evolution VIII.
Photo: Seamus Counihan The result sees Galligan from Oldcastle and his co-driver, Jonty Bolsover from Chesterfield, hold second place in series for Group N Mitsubishis, just one point behind current leaders, Paul Wedgbury and Neil Dashfield.

The Jim Clark Memorial Rally is a round of the British and Irish Rally Championships and is unique, as it is the only stage rally to take place on UK mainland to be held on closed public roads. Starting and finishing in Kelso, this year¹s route featured 155 competitive miles split into 23 timed special stages, seven on Friday and a further 16 on Saturday.

For Galligan, the event was to prove to be a real challenge, as it was the first time he had competed in a four-wheel-drive car on asphalt rather than gravel. With intermittent rain providing an added complication in terms of grip and tyre choice, the Irishman wisely exercised caution for the first loop of three stages until he became more familiar with the characteristics of his Mitsubishi on tarmac.

However, it didn¹t take him long to get used to his environment and, by close of play on Friday he held a strong third in the Evo Challenge standings behind Irish tarmac expert Roy White, from Clonmel and his arch rival Paul Wedgbury.

With a long day of rallying in store on Saturday, Galligan went on a charge and when White retired with engine problems on stage 14, it was just he and Wedgbury at the front of the Evo Challenge field.

Galligan pulled out all the stops, but conditions were against him. With Wedgbury running a few minutes ahead he was managing to squeeze through the stages before the rain fell, leaving Galligan to cope with the wet and slippery roads:

However, Galligan was getting quicker, so much so he recorded a fastest time overall on the penultimate stage, beating a number of British and Irish Champions in far more powerful World Rally Cars!

At the end of the event, Galligan and Bolsover were frustrated not to have won, but pleased with their two day¹s work:
³It was one of the toughest events I have ever done², said Galligan. ³I could not have driven any harder without risking an accident. We seemed to be unlucky with the weather and consequently our choice of tyres. The first placed team seemed to have all the luck with them this weekend, so we certainly regard our result as a moral victory.²

Galligan¹s 2004 rally programme is supported by: Respa Beds, Dalco Nitrogen Systems, Dromore Meats, Loxley Vehicles, RMS Office Supplies, Dunlop Tyres and Speedline Wheels. His Mitsubishi Evolution VIII was built, prepared and run by VRS Motorsport of Chesterfield.

Round six of the Evolution Challenge takes place in just two weeks time, when the series returns to the National Rally Championship and the Welsh forests for the Swansea Bay Rally on 17th July.

• 2004 Jim Clark Memorial Rally - 2-4 Jul 04

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08/06/04
Galligan Gains Second Victory of the Season
This weekend' Mutiny Rally witnessed Rory Galligan from Oldcastle, County Meath and co-driver, Jonty Bolsover, from Chesterfield, storm to a convincing 37.9 second victory in round four of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, driving their VRS Motorsport prepared Mitsubishi Evolution VIII.

Their pace was such that they also won the highly competitive Production Car Category and finished an outstanding sixth overall against a host of far more powerful World Rally Cars.

Having won round one of the Evolution Challenge, finished runners up on the second and having to miss the third due to business commitments, Galligan and Bolsover were determined to do well this weekend and ensure that they kept their championship hopes intact. By winning the one-make series for Lancer Evolutions, Galligan would be awarded a works drive with Mitsubishi in 2005.

Based in Llandrindod Wells, the Mutiny Rally comprised nine timed special stages in the Mid-Wales forests, a total of 70 competitive miles. A full entry of 84 teams lined up to start the event, of which 40 were running in Class N4, the category for cars based on production specifications to which Galligan's Evo subscribes.

The dry and dusty conditions provided competitors with a treacherously slippery road surface, a layer of loose gravel covering the forestry tracks.

Having not competed in the car for two months, Galligan completed the first stage with a little in reserve and emerged from the 14 mile test through Radnor forest fourth of the Mitsubishi runners, albeit just five seconds behind the leader.

Now feeling more familiar with their car and the conditions, Galligan and Bolsover got to work and on the very next stage propelled themselves into the Evolution Challenge lead.

Stage by stage they edged ahead, admitting they were taking a few chances, so much so they slid off the road on SS5 and into a ditch at such a pace the car launched itself back onto the road and they continued with out losing any time.

However, Galligan was saving his best to last and the final leg of three stages. With competitors backing off in SS7 because of the roughness of the roads, Galligan saw a window of opportunity and set a blistering pace through the stage, the time good enough to claim the Group N category lead and secure an overall position of sixth.

With no let up through stages eight and nine, Galligan and Bolsover maintained their position to the finish, the whole team delighted with their day¹s work:

³This is a great result, not just for Jonty and I but for the whole VRS team², said Galligan. ³The car ran faultlessly throughout the event and gave me the confidence to push it to the limit which is why we achieved such a fantastic result. I was really just aiming to win the Evolution Challenge, but to be first in Group N and sixth overall is a real bonus.²

Galligan¹s 2004 rally programme is supported by: Respa Beds, Dalco Nitrogen Systems, Dromore Meats, Loxley Vehicles, RMS Office Supplies, Dunlop Tyres and Speedline Wheels. His Mitsubishi Evolution VIII was built, prepared and run by VRS Motorsport of Chesterfield.

Galligan and Bolsover now lie second in the Evolution Challenge, the next round being the Jim Clark Memorial Rally based in the Scottish Borders, which takes place on 2nd & 3rd July.

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08/04/04
Galligan Maintains Championship Lead
Rory Galligan from Oldcastle and and his co-driver, Jonty Bolsover from Chesterfield, kept their chances of winning the 2004 Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge well and truly alive this weekend with a determined drive into second place on the Astra Stages Rally.

27 Mitsubishi teams started the Llangollen based event, which utilised the forests of Snowdonia for its 75 competitive miles and nine special stages.

Having won the opening round of the Evolution Challenge in February, Galligan/Bolsover started as favourites and were seeded in front of the other 26 competitors, all battling for the end of season prize of becoming a Mitsubishi works driver.

Rain was a contributing feature to the day¹s motorsport and many crews found the conditions difficult to contend with, the surface of the North Wales forest roads becoming slippery and unpredictable.

Driving their VRS Motorsport prepared Mitsubishi Evolution VIII, Galligan/Bolsover were on the pace right from the start, but half way through the first stage the intercom system stopped working and Bolsover had to shout the all important route instructions for the remainder of the first two stages.

Inevitably some time had been dropped, but as they entered the first service halt of the day in Bala, the VRS team were pleased to see they were lying second of the Evo Challenge contenders, albeit 14 seconds behind the leaders, Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield.

With communications restored, Galligan was now on the attack and a battle raged over the next four special stages. However, Wedgbury responded and as teams set off for the final loop of three stages on the return run to Llangollen, the gap between the two Evo front-runners was unchanged.

Galligan launched into SS7 intent on making it two wins out of two events, but half way through the stage his challenge for the lead was brought to an end by a puncture. Knowing he would now not be unable to catch Wedgbury, Galligan opted to consolidate his second place and maintain his lead in the Evolution Challenge standings, albeit now shared with Wedgbury.

³The whole VRS team did a great job, but it was just one of those days when a few things just didn¹t go our way², said Galligan at the finish. ³I¹m very pleased with the result as we proved that even with a few problems we are on the pace and by finishing second we still top the Evolution Challenge points table. One thing¹s for sure, it¹s going to be exciting battle for the rest of the year.²

The next round takes place on 7th & 8th May on the Isle of Man, when crews get their first taste of rallying on asphalt. Having cut his teeth on the tarmac roads of Ireland, Galligan hopes that the change of surface will allow him to move another step closer to his goal of becoming 2004 Evolution Challenge Champion and a Mitsubishi works driver. He wil be joined by fellow VRS driver, from Mullingar, Padraig Price, who was unable to compete in this weekend's event.

Galliagn¹s 2004 rally programme is supported by: Respa Beds, Dalco Nitrogen Systems, Dromore Meats, Loxley Vehicles, Pirelli Tyres and Speedline Wheels.

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01/03/04
Galligan Rises To The Challenge!
Rory Galligan made the perfect start to the 2004 Mitsubishi Evo Challenge by taking maximum points in the season opener, the Sunseeker rally at the weekend. The event marked the Oldcastle (Co. Meath) driver's return to competitive motorsport action after his yearlong sabbatical
Photo: John Bayly The Evo Challenge is a one-make series for Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and the weekend's Bournemouth based rally boasted an impressive entry of 39 crews for the first of the eight-round championship. The category is now in it's fourth year and has become arguably the most popular single make series with little doubt that much of it's attraction is attributable to the overall prize of a free Group N works drive in the 2005 British rally championship.

As countless bleary eyed spectators took up their positions for the early morning stages, Galligan was hard at work behind the wheel getting to grips with the snow and icy conditions. A puncture provided much drama on the third last stage but as the day progressed conditions got better and Galligan went on to win with 7 seconds to spare over his nearest rival. Now with that vital opening win behind him Galligan hopes to build on his points tally in the second round of the championship, the Astra Stages rally that will take place on April 3rd.

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02/02/04
Rory Galligan to compete in Evo Challenge
Former Peugeot 106 Cup champion Rory Galligan has confirmed his entry into this year's Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge. He will be co-driven once again by his former navigator, the very experienced Jonty Bolsover in a Team VRS prepared Lancer Evo 7.

Meathman Galligan got his first taste of the four-wheel-drive machine on Friday when he tested the car on a private test stage in North Wales.
Impressed with both the car and the professional approach of the VRS Motorsport team Galligan is looking forward to Sunseeker rally on February 26th, the opening round of the Evolution Challenge championship.
Commenting after the test Galligan said "Having only driven an Evo once before, I'm still getting used to four-wheel-drive, but I have really enjoyed driving the VRS car today. It has plenty of power and I was pleased with the set up, so it shouldn't take me long to adapt. I'm looking forward to the start of the season and reckon that with the team, we're in with a change of winning the series".