2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge

Posted: October 26, 2005 5:03 PM

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26/10/05
Final Series Standings

Drivers
1st Ryan Champion - 67 Points
2nd Stuart Jones - 65 points
3rd Phillip Morrow - 62 Points
4th Nik Elsmore - 47 points
5th Neil McCance - 32 points
6th Ed Stallard - 31 points
7th Noel Kelly - 29 points
8th Tim Pearcey - 29 points
9th Colin Greer - 26 points
10th Connor McCloskey - 19 points

Co-drivers
1st Craig Thorley - 70 points
2nd Simon Morrow - 53 points
3rd Nigel Gardner - 50 points
4th Richard Edwards - 36 points
5th James Kelly - 34 points
6th Graham Hopewell - 33 points
7th Ross Butler - 32 points
8th Neil Ewing - 26 points
9th Mick Johnson - 16 points
10th Marc Jones - 13 points

PIAA Junior Award
1st Stuart Jones - 29 points
2nd Philip Morrow - 26 points
3rd Ed Stallard -16 points
4th Connor McCloskey - 12 points

Pirelli Cup
1st Philip Morrow - 28 points
2nd Nik Elsmore - 13 points
3rd Neil McCance - 12 points
4th Noel Kelly - 8 points
5th Anthony Willmington - 7 points

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20/10/05

• 2006 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION CHALLENGE

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17/01/05
EVOLUTION CHALLENGE GOES FROM STRENGTH-TO-STRENGTH
Series enters its fifth season
Mitsubishi re-affirm support by offering prize drive in 2006 BRC

After enjoying a record number of entries in 2004 and producing the most exciting finish so far in the series four year history, there is no doubt that the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge has become one of the most competitive and high profile rally championships in the UK and this years series promises to continue where last years left off.

Once again, the Evolution Challenge will benefit from extensive backing form Mitsubishi Motors UK, the support bringing with it what is widely described as the best prize in British Rallying: A fully funded works drive in the 2006 British Rally Championship, behind the wheel of a Group N (the category for production specification cars) Lancer Evolution.

Other awards and technical support will provided by the series associate sponsors: Walon, PIAA UK, Speedline Corse, Shell Racing Fuels, Mintex and in particular Pirelli, which is increasing its involvement with Mitsubishi this year.

2005 sees Pirelli become the official tyre supplier to the Mitsubishi WRC team and it will continue to support the UK works Group N campaign. In addition, the Evolution Challenge will see a new feature introduced, the Pirelli Cup: An independently scored series which will run within the Challenge, open to competitors who compete using Pirelli tyres throughout the season. Full details and a list of awards will be announced before the opening round.

PIAA UK will continue its support of the junior category, with an award and substantial end of season prize presented to the leading under 25 year old driver.

Being able to offer such excellent awards makes competing in the Evolution Challenge an attractive proposition. said Series Coordinator, Simon Slade. We have had a high number of requests for information and regulations, even from foreign teams and I hope that all this interest will see us surpass last years figure of 40 registrations.

Organisers are pleased to report that for the second year running they have also received considerable interest from Irish competitors, no doubt spurred-on by the achievement of 2004 Champion, Rory Galligan.

General Manager for Ralliart at Mitsubishi Motors UK, Paul Brigden, has been delighted with the way the Evolution Challenge has developed in 2004 and is confident that 2005 will see the series continue to flourish:

With over 40 registered crews the Evolution Challenge is achieving the targets we have set for it in terms of popularity and profile. If the interest we have have received for this years series is anything to go by, we predict another highly competitive and successful season ahead.

The Evolution Challenge will continue to follow its successful format, by appearing on all seven rounds of the National Gravel Rally Championship, with the addition of one visit to the British Rally Championship, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally. This programme of eight events will see competitors contest six rallies on gravel and two on asphalt.

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1. Rallye Sunseeker (Bournemouth) 25-26 Feb 05
2. Border Counties (Jedburgh) 19 Mar 05
3. Manx National 6-7 May 05
4. Mutiny (Llandrindod Wells) 6 Jun 05
5. Jim Clark Memorial Rally 8-9 Jul 05
6. Swansea Bay Rally 23 Jul 05
7. Park Systems Stages (Newton Stewart) 10 Sep 05
8. Bulldog (Shrewsbury) 22 Oct 05

Championship Website: www.evo-challenge.com

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Mitsubishi Confirms Continuation of Top Prize for 2005 Evo Challenge
Mitsubishi Motors UK is pleased to confirm its continued support for the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge by awarding the 2005 Champion a fully supported season in 2006, driving a Production specification Lancer Evolution in a UK based Championship.

The prize, which has been described as the "best in British Rallying", will be the third year in succession Mitsubishi has awarded a works drive for winning the one make series for Homologated Group N Evolutions.

This announcement confirms Mitsubishi's commitment to UK motorsport and its support for the Evolution Challenge, which has now become the most popular manufacturer backed rally series in the UK.

2005 heralds the fifth year of the series, which will again retain its successful format by following all seven rounds of the National Rally Championship, plus one visit to the British Championship with the Jim Clark Memorial Rally.

General Manager for Ralliart, Paul Brigden, commented:
'We have been impressed with the growth of the Evolution Challenge over the past two years and therefore see Mitsubishi's continued support and the prize of the works drive in 2006 will enable the series retain its popularity and high profile.'

Evolution Challenge Coordinator, Simon Slade, said:
'This is great news! I am delighted Mitsubishi has confirmed its backing for 2005 and hope that the continuation of this excellent first prize will again see the series attract a large number of high quality entries.'

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• Evo Challenge