Mitsubishi announces Evo Challenge prize drive
Posted: July 28, 2008 12:16 PM
Mitsubishi Motors UK is delighted to announce that this year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Champion will be awarded a works Mitsubishi drive in a brand new Group N Lancer Evolution X, in this year’s Wales Rally GB.
The car will run as a works entry alongside the existing Mitsubishi UK team and appear in full Ralliart livery. It will also be the first time that the car, which is currently being built by ADR Motorsport, will compete in the UK and therefore, is destined to attract a great deal of public and media attention.
“We are delighted to be able to offer this prize to the winner of the 2008 Evolution Challenge”, said General Manager for Ralliart Paul Brigden. “We see that competing in a round of the World and British Rally Championships as a great opportunity, as it will provide a high profile introduction into what it’s like to drive for a works team.”
This prize differs from the award presented for the previous five years, where the Evo Challenge Champion was offered a year’s contract as a works driver. The change has come about due to recent circumstances, MMUK’s plans for its 2009 rally campaign yet to be finalised and because the development of the Evolution X is still in its early stages. This is also why the announcement has not been made until this point in the season.
However, Mitsubishi states that as well as being awarded the prize drive, the winner of the 2008 Evolution Challenge will also be added to the shortlist of drivers if a works team is entered in next year’s British Rally Championship.
“There is a great crop of drivers competing in this year’s Evolution Challenge and so far, 2008 has proved to be the closest yet. We are therefore looking forward to seeing how the winner gets on in the Rally GB so we can make sure they are in an excellent position for selection if we are able to go forward with the works team in the BRC next year.”
The two remaining rounds in this year’s Evolution Challenge are the Todds Leap Ulster Rally on 22nd & 23rd August and the Bulldog Rally on 18th October. The Wales Rally GB takes place on 4th – 7th December.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and Ralliart, with support from its associate sponsors: Pirelli tyres, Speedline Corse wheels, Sparco racewear, Performance Friction Brakes, Sunoco Race Fuels, ADR Motorsport, Walkinshaw Performance and PIAA lights, who sponsor the junior award for under 25 year old drivers.
2008 Evolution Challenge launched at Autosport Show/Mitsubishi announce plans for 2008 UK Evolution Challenge/KEITH CRONIN TO TACKLE EVO CHALLENGE/Calendar
Posted: January 10, 2008 4:15 PM
- 2008 Evolution Challenge launched at Autosport Show
- Mitsubishi announce plans for 2008 UK Evolution Challenge
- KEITH CRONIN TO TACKLE EVO CHALLENGE
- Calendar
10/01/08
2008 Evolution Challenge launched at Autosport Show
Mitsubishi Motors UK is delighted to announce its continued commitment for its much acclaimed and highly competitive one-makes series for Group N (Production Class) Lancers, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.
Now into is eighth successive season, the 2008 championship features seven events: six National A status rallies, running alongside the Pirelli MSA National Gravel Championship and one International, the Ulster Rally, which is also a round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
“It is always out intention to formulate a calendar which appeals to competitors”, explains Evolution Challenge coordinator Simon Slade. “This season sees five gravel and two asphalt surface rallies, all with excellent reputations for organisation and stages - plus they are evenly-spaced throughout the year to help with car preparation in-between events.“
Following the recent announcement that the championship will feature Sunoco as its controlled fuel and Pirelli as its controlled tyre suppliers, organisers are confident that they can offer competitors a great-value, closely-fought season which will be contested on an ultimately fair and level playing field.
“We spend a great deal of time looking at the options and opportunities open to us”, said Slade. “Our decisions are always based on what will provide the best for competitors and I am pleased to report that both Sunoco and Pirelli are making valuable contributions to the championship prize fund.”
For the past five years the Evolution Challenge has offered what is widely regarded as the best prize in British Rallying – and beyond: a fully funded Mitsubishi works drive in the UK, behind the wheel of a Group N Lancer Evolution. Although it has been confirmed that MMUK wish to continue to offer this much-coveted and valuable award, the introduction and subsequent evaluation of the Evolution X for motorsport has played a part in delaying the announcement of this prize until after the season has begun.
“It’s not ideal starting a season before the first prize is announced”, said General Manager for Ralliart and MMUK motorsport boss Paul Brigden. “However, we trust that our track record over the past five years will reassure competitors that we intend to present a high-value and aspirational first prize. We therefore hope that the championship will prove to be as popular as ever.”
From the initial feedback received, organisers are predicting a high number of returnees this season, plus the anticipated registration from a number of young and up-and-coming drivers and the now familiar and most welcome support from Irish crews.
Organisers are also pleased to announce that regulations and entry forms are now available - both on-line and on request. Potential competitors are encouraged to visit the Evolution Challenge team on the Mitsubishi stand at the Autosport Show, or contact the coordination office for further details and answers to any queries they may have.
The 2008 series is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart, with support from its associate sponsors: Pirelli, Sunoco, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Sparco, Performance Friction Brakes and ADR Motorsport.
04/01/08Mitsubishi announce plans for 2008 UK Evolution Challenge
With all systems go for its eighth consecutive season, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge looks forward to another exciting year in 2008.
The UK’s high-profile one-make series for homologated Group N Lancer Evolutions (incorporating VI – IX) will follow a similar format to that of 2007. Once again, the calendar will feature most of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship, with seven rounds planned and competitors counting scores from their six best results.
One of the outstanding features of the Evolution Challenge has always been is its high-value prize fund – and 2008 is no exception. Organisers are currently finalising details of what’s on offer and intend to announce further details at the Autosport Show.
“It is the wish of Mitsubishi to continue to run a works team and offer a works drive in 2009”, said General Manager for Ralliart Paul Brigden. “However, until the Evolution X has been fully evaluated for competition, we are not yet in a position to confirm our plans. There are also a number of other opportunities currently being looked at, which we are sure will hold great appeal to competitors.”
Following the recent announcement by ANCRO that the MSA Gravel Rally Championship will feature controlled Pirelli tyres for Production Class cars, orgainsers of the Evolution Challenge have confirmed that the Mitsubishi championship will follow suit in 2008.
"Pirelli is delighted to confirm a control-tyre agreement with the Evolution Challenge. We are actively working with Mitsubishi to develop this partnership both in the UK, Ireland and Worldwide”, said Pirelli Motorsport and Events Manager, Martin Pallot. “The Evolution Challenge is one of the most exciting one-make series there is, with a fantastic following and signing this agreement dove-tails nicely with the existing agreements we have with the MSA British and National Gravel Rally Championships. We very much look forward to working closely with Mitsubishi in the coming years."
Championship organisers are currently working with Pirelli to introduce a range of benefits for competitors, such as the presentation of tyres as awards, bonus schemes and prizes, the sum total of which it is anticipated will go a long way towards compensating – or even bettering – some competitor’s existing individual tyre deals.
“We have resisted a one-make tyre arrangement for many years, but circumstances have changed and, having considered the whole picture, we see this increased association with Pirelli as a great opportunity”, said Evo Challenge Coordinator Simon Slade.
Following its successful introduction in 2007, the Evolution Challenge will continue to feature a controlled fuel, with Sunoco appointed as the approved supplier for 2008.
“We spend a great deal of time taking into account all of the options that are open to us and, at all times consider carefully the impact of our actions on competitors, whether it is the prizes we offer, the events we visit, or the suppliers and technical partners we work with”, explains Slade. “Because of this philosophy, we are confident that our championship will remain one of the most competitive and high-profile there is.
16/12/07KEITH CRONIN TO TACKLE EVO CHALLENGE
2008 Billy Coleman award winner Keith Cronin is to tackle the UK EVO challenge in 2008.
The assault on the challenge was announced by the Cronin Motorsport team this week.
Team manager Danny Cronin said “ The EVO Challenge is the next obvious step for Keith.With the fantastic Group N results posted by him in 2007 it’s time to look at the pace in the UK and we expect Keith will be on the pace from the word go.His pace on the Swansea Bay Rally during 2007 only proved what we knew here on the team anyway,the fact that his times were so close to the eventual GP N winner on the event before his forced retirement was very encouraging,particularily as he was competing in an EVO 7 against much newer machinery and he was on new territory as well.We see this as the start of a three year plan that will hopefully pay dividends for Keith and help him reach his goal of a drive in the WRC.”
The team has ordered a brand new EVO 9 for Keith, which they hope to take delivery of within the next couple of months and also plan to do selected Tarmac rounds in Ireland as the calendar allows.
The UK EVO Challenge 2008 kicks off in with Rallye Sunseeker on the 22/23rd of February and is followed by the Border Counties on the 15th of March,the RBSI Manx Rally on the 9th/10th of May,the Severn Valley on the 31st of May,the Swansea Bay on the 19th of July,the Ulster Rally on the 22nd/23rd of August and finally the Bulldog Rally on October 18th.
It has already been announced by the team that Denis Cronin will contest the entire Hankook Tyres National Forest Rally Championship in his Subaru Impreza WRC and will also do selected tarmac rounds in the now famous ex-works BMW M3.
There will be a chance to hopefully see both Denis and Keith in action once
More before the year ends as the team plan to take part in the Cork Motor Club promoted Rally Sprint in The Pike,Dungarvan,Co.Waterford on the 30th of December.
Calendar
- Rallye Sunseeker 22/23 Feb 08
- Border Counties 5-Apr 08
- RBSI Manx Rally 9/10 May 08
- Severn Valley 31-May 08
- Swansea Bay 19-Jul 08
- Ulster 22/23 Aug 08
- Bulldog 18-Oct 08
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