BRC Live! - (Sat) 9 Apr 05

Posted: April 11, 2005 4:30 PM

GALLIGAN AND MITSUBISHI SHINE AT BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP LAUNCH
BRC Live, Nuneaton. New Mitsubishi performs straight out of the box. Galligan signals his intentions on works debut.

Driving the brand new Mitsubishi Motors UK Lancer Evolution VIII MR, Rory Galligan made his debut as works driver in spectacular fashion at Saturday's (9th April) BRC Live, the launch for Pirelli Kwik-Fit MSA British Rally Championship, where he signalled his intentions to other competitors by winning the Production Category and finishing second overall in the Rallysprint event.

Held at Bramcote Barracks, near Nuneaton, BRC Live is a showcase event which launches the British Rally Championship, providing sponsors, media and the public an opportunity to meet the teams and see the cars in action on a demonstration stage around the camp's concrete roads.

The event saw Galligan (from Oldcastle) appear as a Mitsubishi works driver for the first time and he didn't disappoint: Following two acclimatisation runs of the 1.1 mile stage with new co-driver, Greg Shinnors (from Limerick), Galligan swiftly became accustomed to the car and soon began to entertain the crowds and his guest passengers with an impressive display of driving.

Although not having driven the car before and then rattling into some fencing during an early run, Galligan felt at one with his new Lancer - right from the word go. The team were delighted that their efforts in developing the new MR version of the Mitsubishi Evolution were looking good, the car's performance surpassing expectations.

Following the afternoon's demonstration runs, organisers invited teams to enter the All Stars Rallysprint, a competitive event which saw drivers timed over a two-mile stage, the quickest of two runs used to calculate the results.

Now against the clock, Galligan switched to attack mode and on both runs succeeded in setting the fastest Production Class time by nearly four seconds, finishing second overall behind Austin MacHale in a WRC Focus by just two seconds.

Although his new Mitsubishi was on display in the service area, a notable absence from BRC Live was current British Rally Champion, David Higgins, Galligan's recently appointed team mate having to honour his rallying commitments in Turkey this weekend.

With a series of tests planned during the next two weeks, Galligan and Higgins will start their British Rally Championship campaigns in earnest on 23rd and 24th April in the International Rally of Wales - and if this weekend's preview performance is anything to go by, Mitsubishi will be the team to watch.

The Mitsubishi works cars are prepared by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield on behalf of Cirencester based Mitsubishi Motors UK. The team is sponsored by: Pirelli, Shell Racing Fuels, Rampage, Speedline Corse, PIAA and ADR Motorsport.

Team Quotes:
Rory Galligan: Mitsubishi Works Driver
"This weekend was my first time behind the wheel of the new car and I was delighted with the way it felt - straight out of the box. The car rockets off the line and gets out of the corners very quickly. Even with no time to perfect the suspension set ups the car handles superbly and if I hadn't missed a gear on the second of my two timed runs I think I could have won the Rallysprint overall."

Paul Brigden: General Manager - Ralliart
"I am very pleased with the way things have gone for this event. Rory has driven superbly and the car performed even better than we had expected first time out. The team have done an excellent job in developing the new car and I think we have sent a message to all other teams that we are going to be quick. I look forward to the first real test in the Welsh forests."

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1 Austin MacHale (Ford Focus WRC) 1:50.8
2 Rory Galligan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) 1:52.9
3 James Wozencroft (Suzuki Ignis 1400) 1:56.6
4 Matthew Wilson (Ford Focus WRC) 1:56.8
5 Justin Dale (Subaru Impreza N11) 1:56.8

Full Results and Photos on:
www.brcweb.co.uk

Photos:
rallypics.org

• 2005 British Rally Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Austin McHale heads Entry List
• MITSUBISHI UK WORKS TEAM TO MAKE BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT
• Event Details

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR Group N Rally car which will be driven in the 2005 Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship by David Higgins and Rory Galligan 05/04/03

Top 10
1 Austin MacHale Ford Focus WRC
2 Jonny Milner Skoda Fabia WRC04
3 Matthew Wilson Ford Focus WRC
4 Steve Perez Ford Focus WRC
5 Justin Dale Subaru Impreza N11
6 Rory Galligan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5
7 Barry Clark Subaru Impreza
8 Iwan Rees Subaru Impreza
9 Kate Heath Subaru Impreza
10 Andy Leece Renault Clio S1600

• More details on www.brcweb.co.uk

• 2005 British Rally Championship

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MITSUBISHI UK WORKS TEAM TO MAKE BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT
BRC Live - British Rally Championship Launch, Nuneaton Works Mitsubishi Evo to be seen in action for first time this year Rory Galligan makes his Mitsubishi works team debut

This Saturday's launch event for the 2005 Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, BRC Live, will see the works Mitsubishi UK Rally Team in action for the first time this year, with Rory Galligan scheduled to drive one of the team's Group N Lancer Evolution VIII MRs.

Galligan's team mate and current British Rally Champion, David Higgins, will not be attending, his rallying commitments in Turkey rendering him unavailable for this event. Higgins, from Trefeglwys, together with his co-driver, Daniel Barritt, from Burnley, will make their debut appearance for the Mitsubishi UK Rally Team on round one, the International Rally of Wales, which takes place on 23rd & 24th April.

Galligan, from Oldcastle, will be joined on Saturday by his recently appointed co-driver, Greg Shinnors from Limerick. Shinnors replaces Galligan's original co-driver and the man who guided him to Evolution Challenge victory in 2004, Jonty Bolsover, excessive business commitments forcing Bolsover to withdraw from the team.

BRC Live is organised to provide the British Rally Championship with a high profile prelude for the season ahead, with all of the series' top teams invited to take part. Held at Bramcote Barracks near Nuneaton, the day will feature a host of promotional activities, such as press calls and autograph signing sessions.

Media, sponsors and the public are encouraged to attend and, if the past two years are anything to go by, this spectacular event will prove to be a big hit with spectators.

Teams will have the opportunity to display their cars and talents with a 1.1 mile special stage around the barracks, where drivers can demonstrate a taste of what's in store for the rest of the season.

Sponsors, guests and competition winners will have each have the chance to be part of the action, with teams able to provide passenger rides during the afternoon.

The event continues into the evening with the 'All Stars Rally Sprint' taking place at 5.00 pm, the day rounding off with a band concert and firework display.

In addition, BRC Live features trade displays and showcase service area, where the public can get close to the teams and see what goes on between stages.

Gates open for spectators at 9.00 am, with the on-stage action commencing at 2.00 pm, the day's activities concluding at 8.00 pm.

The Mitsubishi works cars are prepared by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield on behalf of Cirencester based Mitsubishi Motors UK. The team is sponsored by: Pirelli, Shell Racing Fuels, Rampage, Speedline Corse, PIAA, Mintex and ADR Motorsport.

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01/01/05
British Rally Championship Live!, set for 9th April 2005 at Bramcote near Nuneaton will bring an action-packed day of rallying demonstrations in a specially designed stage, to spectators and supporters, complete with grandstand viewing for all the family. Once again supported by Motorsport in the Midlands, the day will feature prize draws for rally car rides and more attractions and activities than ever to draw bigger crowds and increase the interest in rallying as a whole.

New for 2005 will be the BRC Allstars Rallysprint featuring a head to head battle between the stars of the 2004 British Rally Championship and some newcomers. A maximum of 5 competitors from four Championship classes based upon the new categories for 2005, BRC for World Rally cars, the Super 1600's, Production and F2000 rally championship will compete head to head against the clock. The top four drivers from their respective 2004 Championship categories will get automatic entry qualification. The fifth place will be held at the discretion of the organisers and may indeed include a run off competition beforehand if the category is oversubscribed.

Fans will also be able to meet the stars and the teams and see the cars up close at the BRC Paddock Show in the morning and there will also be a variety of stands by car owners clubs and an auto jumble selling motor memorabilia and parts.

• More details on www.brcweb.co.uk

• 2005 British Rally Championship