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International Rally of Yorkshire (Trackrod) - 7 Oct 06Posted: October 15, 2006 8:18 PM - 8892 Hits
Round 5 - 2006 British Rally Championship
Posted: October 15, 2006 8:18 PM
TOP RESULT FOR MORROW IN YORKSHIRE Lisburn driver Phillip Morrow recorded his best result of the season so far when he and co-driver Daniel Barritt from Burnley finished this weekend’s round five of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the International Rally Yorkshire, in fifth place overall and third in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. The event is one of the most competitive in the British Championship’s six-round calendar, with the route featuring a series of high-speed gravel roads in the forests over the North Yorkshire Moors, demanding big commitment from driver and co-driver. Starting and finishing in Pickering, the event began with a short spectator stage around the town’s agricultural showground, followed by a further five stages in the forests before a lunchtime service halt. Competitors then contested the same six stages again to complete 12 tests and 108 competitive miles before returning to the host town for the finish. Having had incidents on the previous three rallies, all asphalt-based events, Phillip and his team were looking for a trouble-free run this time around. With this in mind, the 23-year old Ulsterman set-off on the first stage looking to stay in touch with the leaders, but not take any risks. The first loop of six stages went without drama for Phillip, even though the pace at the front of the field was frantic and stage times were split by just a few seconds. He returned to Pickering Showground for the main service halt pleased to be holding fifth overall and third in the Evolution Challenge, but admitted he had perhaps been taking it too cautiously at times, albeit only a minute and seven seconds behind the leader after 54 stage miles. With a few adjustments made to the car, Phillip and Daniel embarked on the afternoon’s six tests, determined to get to the finish unscathed and, at the very least, hold station. And that’s just what they did - although the team did get a scare at the auxiliary service halt near Whitby when the car coasted into the service area, poor Daniel having to push the powerless Mitsubishi the final few yards. Luckily the cause was no worse than a shortage of fuel and once the car’s tank was replenished, Phillip steered his way back to Pickering to record his best result of the season. “I’m both pleased and relieved”, said Phillip at the finish. “It’s great to get the car home without a scratch, both for me and the team, who I have to thank for giving me such a good car this weekend. To have finished fifth overall and third in the Evo Challenge means we still have a chance of winning the Mitsubishi series, which is really what we set out to do this season – but it’s all down to the last event.” The final BRC and Evo Challenge round, to which Phillip refers, is none other than the Wales Rally of Great Britian, which takes place on December 1st – 3rd. It is also the final round of the World Rally Championship, which means Phillip will be competing against the best drivers on the planet! Phillip’s 2006 campaign is supported by Pirelli, Morrow Fuels, Fitzsamuel Insurance, Lyons European Haulage, Lagan Motor Factors, DGM Motorsport, Kelly’s Toyota, Proflex, PIAA, Speedline Corse, AMS gear kits, BADMC and RPM Promotions. Champion wins at home, Higgins takes title. Mark Higgins has been crowned as 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Champion on a day when Ryan Champion won International Rally Yorkshire after a thrilling battle in the forests around Pickering. Stobart VK Subaru driver Higgins, the 1997 and 2005 champion, finished in second position in the rally, the fifth of the championship, after a thrilling battle with Merlin International's Jonny Milner and SJR Hankook's Gwyndaf Evans. But it was Mitsubishi Motors UK's Ryan Champion who won the day, taking his second victory this season after winning the season opening Pirelli International Rally back in May. "It was never going to be easy," said 31 year-old Champion who lives in Castleton, North Yorkshire. 'It was a good fight right to the end with Mark Higgins and we'd battled Jonny and Gwyndaf earlier in the day too. "Mark's driven so consistently this season, but that's the second time I've beaten him in a clean fight, and I'll keep on reminding of that!"' Higgins was overjoyed to take his third BRC title and second in a row. "'The championship was always the priority today," said the 35 year-old Manxman. "Everything's gone to plan this year and the team have been fantastic providing me with a great car. We've never been far away from the fastest times on any of the stages all year and that's counted for everything."' Coming home in third position in the event was two-time BRC champion and Yorkshire favourite, Jonny Milner. He was also the leading Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge driver home, cementing his position at the head of the competition for the works Mitsubishi Motors UK drive in the BRC next season. "It was mission accomplished for me," said 37 year-old Milner who was leading the rally until the midday service stop. "'I built up a lead fairly easily in the morning but Ryan and Mark were able to push that little bit harder in the afternoon. We pushed hard but were mindful of the Evo lead."' The Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship now has a two month break before the thrilling season finale in Wales Rally GB, Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, on December 1-3. Wilks wins S1600 in Yorkshire. Darlington's Guy Wilks has won the S1600 class of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship in the fifth round of the championship, International Rally Yorkshire. Wilks once more put in a dominant class performance in his Suzuki Ignis and beat fellow Suzuki driver James Wozencroft to take the class win by over four minutes and finished in seventh place in the rally overall. 'We did what we had to,' said 25 year-old Wilks who is contesting both the BRC and the FIA Junior World Rally Championship this season. 'We made sure we were dominant and we did a professional job.' Wozencroft took second position after a thrilling day long battle with Barry Clark from the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team. 'I'm dead happy with the result,' said 22 year-old Wozencroft from Ludlow. 'It's been a great day. For some reason we kept losing time to Barry in the Gale Rigg stage but after he had his problem we'd got it. It's going to be a great fight on Wales Rally GB. For Clark it was a case of nursing an ailing gearbox in the final stages of the day-long event. 'It was going to plan before the gearbox problem,' said the 24 year-old from Aberdeen. 'I was quicker than my team-mate Roman Kresta this morning and were having a good battle with Wozie, but I was confident we would have finished ahead of him.' The Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship now has a two month break before the thrilling season finale in Wales Rally GB, Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, on December 1-3. Mitsubishi victorious in Yorkshire 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.” Evo Challenge - Milner takes Mitsubishi win in Yorkshire Yorkshireman Jonny Milner, together with his co-driver, Nicky Beech, won this weekend’s round five of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge – the International Rally Yorkshire and in doing so, extended his championship lead with one round still to go. With this year seeing the Evolution Challenge running with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship this was the first time that the Mitsubishi series has appeared on this event. Based at Pickering Showground, the rally featured a competitive distance of 108 miles, with a spectator stage held at the venue followed by five testing stages in the North Yorkshire forests in the morning and, following a lunch-time service halt, a repeat of the same six-stage loop in the afternoon. With this being his home event Milner started in confident form and after the first stage not only headed the Evolution Challenge field, but led the event overall. The Yorkshireman maintained his advantage for the first two forest tests, but things were close and after SS3 his advantage was just 0.6 seconds over Gwyndaf Evans, with Stuart Jones only 3.7 seconds further behind. Another local driver Stephen Petch was pleased to be back in the Evolution Challenge chase having missed the previous round whilst his Mitsubishi was being rebuilt. But his season of bad luck was to continue. A puncture in SS2 ended his rally when the disintegrating rubber fractured his car’s oil cooler. After making adjustments to the suspension at the auxiliary service halt, Jones went through stage four like a man possessed, passing everyone ahead of him to take the overall rally and Evolution Challenge lead. Unfortunately for the young Welshman, his glory was short-lived and on the very next stage a front brake calliper bolt sheared - thankfully at a slow corner and Jones had little choice but to retire. When cars returned to Pickering for the half-way halt Milner was back in front, with Evans still second, but now 12.9 seconds behind having had a high-speed off-road excursion into the surrounding moorland. Phillip Morrow was third of the Mitsubishis and enjoying a much-welcomed uneventful day, with fellow Ulstermen Neil McCance fourth and Connor McCloskey in fifth. With the British Championship title now out of his grasp Milner admitted he was concentrating on winning the Evolution Challenge and therefore set off for the afternoon’s six stages intending to consolidate his position and not take risks to try to win the event overall. A calculated run by Milner throughout the afternoon’s six stages meant that 2005 Evolution Challenge Champion Ryan Champion and 2005 British Rally Champion Mark Higgins went past to occupy first and second places overall. Even though a bolt removed itself from the gearbox casing and caused momentary concern, Milner crossed the line to win his second Evo Challenge round of the season and, more importantly, extend his series lead in the process. Champion went on win the event overall and by finishing second, Higgins did enough to wrap up the British title for the second year in succession. Having been flustered by his morning’s trip into the scenery, Evans’ progress was further delayed when transmissions problems meant he completed the last stage with just two-wheel-drive, but the experienced Welshman had done enough to claim second. Third place went to Morrow, who had a scare on the run-in to the second auxiliary service halt when his car suffered a bout of fuel starvation. McCance and McCloskey also held stations, after both had posted solid performances in a rally which demanded a high level of commitment over the fast forest roads. “I’ve done what I set out to do today”, said Milner at the finish. “My goal was to win the Evolution Challenge on this event and make things a little less demanding for the final round – but it’s the Rally GB and it’s not going to be easy. I’m delighted to have won the first ever Mitsubishi round on my home turf, but I’m also pleased to have led the rally until the half way point and to have finished third overall.” The 2006 Evolution Challenge shares its season finale with the British and World Rally Championships when it heads to Cardiff for the Wales Rally of Great Britain on December 1st – 3rd. With such a major event hosting the final round, Evo Challenge organisers are awarding up to five points for the top five crews on the first two days, plus the usual final tally of points at the end. Therefore, a potential 23 points is up for grabs, meaning that the series title and prize of a Mitsubishi works drive in 2006 is still within the reach of the first six drivers. The series is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex. 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Round Five International Rally Yorkshire – Results 1st Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nicky Beech (Lewknor) – 1:39:16.6 2nd Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) – 1:40:55.3 3rd Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) – 1:41:35.7 4th Neil McCance (Comber)/Francis Regan (Cushendall) – 1:43:23.4 5th Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damien Connelly (Monaghan) – 1:44:38.3 Retirements SS2 Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Wilkinson (Tow Law) - Puncture SS5 Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) – Brakes Final Results 1st Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9) 1:38:42.8 2nd Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N12) 1:38:52.9 3rd Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9) 1:39.:16.6 4th Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9) 1:40:55.3 5th Phillip Morrow/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9) 1:41:35.7 6th Conrad Rautenbach/David Senior (Subaru Impreza N12) 1:41:43.9 7th Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Suzuki Ignis S1600) 1:42:09.4 8th Kevin Stevens/Tim Sturla (Subaru Impreza N12) 1:43:02.0 9th Neil MCCance/Francis Regan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9) 1:43:23.4 10th Robert Swan/Darren Garrod (Subaru Impreza N12) 1:44:18.6
British Rally Championship
cmwi.net PRE EVENT NEWS
04/10/06 Mitsubishi fields one-car team for Rally Yorkshire Galligan pulls-out of event 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. Evos prepare for Yorkshire battle The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge will make its Yorkshire Forest debut next weekend, when the one-make championship for production specification Lancer Evolutions heads to Pickering for round five. Once again, the series will represent a large percentage of the overall Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship entry, with the seven Evolution Challenge crews making up 24% of the total number of competitors. All eyes will be on the Mitsubishi Championship leader, as not only does Jonny Milner top the table with two rallies left to go, but the Rally Yorkshire is his most local event. The former British Champion has already gone on record to say that he is now concentrating on Evolution Challenge points, as his bid for the BRC title has now slipped from his grasp. Also destined to go quickly on this event will be another ex British Champ, Gwyndaf Evans, who won the previous round in Ulster and in doing so became the first ever Evo Challenge competitor to win an event outright! Evans shares second place in the series with his team-mate Stuart Jones, who has far from given up the chase for the title and a seat with the works Mitsubishi team next year. Neil McCance lies fourth in the standings and will be looking to put the experience of his home event in Northern Ireland behind him, when he retired after an argument with the scenery. His fellow countryman Phillip Morrow also suffered a similar outcome in Ulster and is pleased to be back on gravel following three rally-stopping incidents on all-three previous asphalt events. Morrow shares fifth in the Evo Challenge standings with another driver from Northern Ireland, Connor McCloskey, who is intent on have a solid season and, other than series leader Milner, is the only driver to have completed every round so far. Having missed the previous event due to an accident on round three, the Rally Isle of Man, Stephen Petch is delighted to be back in the chase again, especially as the Rally Yorkshire is also his most local event of the season. Although realising that the Evo Challenge title is now out of reach, the young Yorkshireman is keen to show he has the pace on home ground. The International Rally Yorkshire starts at 8.00 am and finishes at 7.00 pm at the showground in Pickering and is the only one-day event in the 2006 British Rally Championship and Evolution Challenge calendar. The event features 108 miles of competition split between 12 timed special stages, 10 of them taking place in the Yorkshire Forests with two spectator friendly affairs held at the showground. The Evolution Challenge offers driver the best prize in British motorsport – the chance to become a Mitsubishi works driver in the British Rally Championship. The series is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex. Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge entries (in start number order) 3. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) 6. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nicky Beech (Lewknor) 7. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) (J) 8. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) (J) 17. Neil McCance (Comber)/ Sean Ferris (Drumquin) 18. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damien Connolly (Monaghan) (J) 19. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Wilkinson (Tow Law) (J) Higgins to drive for title, or win in Yorkshire? All eyes on Higgins as title in grasp. Reigning MSA British Rally Champion Mark Higgins enters the fifth round of this year’s Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship with the chance to make it two BRC titles in a row – and three overall – if he registers a solid result in International Rally Yorkshire this Saturday. All Higgins has to do to take the title is register a finish in fifteenth spot or above, such has been the Welsh-based Manxman’s incredible run of results this season. If you believe the man himself, the 35 year-old Stobart VK Subaru driver reckons he’ll be driving very much for the title and not the rally win. “It’s going to be a difficult event. I only need to score nine points to take the title, so that has to be our approach,” says the 2005 and 1997 champ. “There’s everything to lose if we go flat out for the rally win. I’ve never been in that position before so it will be interesting to see what happens.” Speak to Higgins’ rivals and they don’t believe for one moment he will be settling for a points result. “That’s a load of bullshit!” says SJR Hankook driver and 1996 BRC champion, 47 year-old Gwyndaf Evans. “Mark doesn’t know how to drive for second, he has a reputation to live up to and he will want to win the rally.” Gwyndaf won the last BRC event, Rally Ulster, and should be right in contention in Yorkshire. “It’ll be bloody flat out from the word go,” he says. “It’s a relatively short rally and I’m pretty happy with the set-up of the car on gravel. Mark and the two works Mitsubishis are going to be hard to beat, but I’ll certainly be having a try.” Two time BRC champ and local favourite Jonny Milner, currently second in the championship, echoes Gwyndaf’s sentiments on the champion elect’s approach to the rally. “Mark’s never looked at the championship before and I can’t see him driving with his head,” says the 37 year-old. “He’ll want to win more than anything and if he throws it away he’s still got another round to take the title.” International Rally Yorkshire takes place this Saturday 7th October with cars heading out from Pickering Showground at 9am and the first car finishing at 7pm after 105 of the fastest gravel forest stage miles in Europe. 28/09/06 Entry List Car No Driver /Co Driver (Car) 1 Mark Higgins Powys/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N12) 2 Rory Galligan Meath/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 3 Gwyndaf Evans Dinas Mawddwy/Huw Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 4 Ryan Champion Castleton/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 5 Guy Wilks Houghton Leside/Phil Pugh (Suzuki Ignis S1600) 6 Jonny Milner Huggate/Nicky Beech (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 7 Stuart Jones Welshpool/Craig Parry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 8 Phillip Morrow Liburn/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 9 Roman Kresta Trnava u Zlina Czech/Peter Gross (Ford Fiesta S1600) 10 Conrad Rautenbach Powys/David Senior (Subaru Impreza N12) Full Entry List on:
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Trackrod Rally Yorkshire
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