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Pirelli International Rally - 13-14 May 06

Posted: May 16, 2006 5:02 PM - 10984 Hits

Round 1 - 2006 British Rally Championship
Round 1 - 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge
Round 2 - 2006 Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Posted: May 16, 2006 5:02 PM

Mitsubishi takes first overall British Rally Championship Victory


Ryan Champion and his co-driver Craig Thorley recorded the first ever overall victory for the Mitsubishi Motors UK rally team, when they won this weekend’s round one of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally.

Their result was made even more rewarding as they beat seven-former British Rally Champions in what was the crew’s maiden outing for the works Mitsubishi Motors UK team.

With the new-look BRC seeing WRC cars excluded, all of the leading drivers were in similar specification Production Class machinery. So, with the competition destined to be fierce, Mitsubishi invited 2004 British title holder David Higgins and co-driver Ieuan Thomas to join Champion and team-mate Rory Galligan for this event, driving a third Lancer Evolution IX.

Starting and finishing in Carlisle, the rally comprised 114 miles of gravel surface roads, mainly in the infamous Kielder Forest, the event split into 10 special stages on Saturday and a further six on Sunday.

Mitsubishi were fastest off the blocks, with Higgins posting the quickest time on SS1 and Champion just 0.4 seconds behind in second place.

However, it was a different story for Galligan who slid wide just two miles into the first stage and dropped into a ditch. Although extricating his Mitsubishi almost immediately, a stone had found its way between the sump guard and the engine, puncturing the oil filter in the process – the subsequent leak heralding his and co-driver Greg Shinnors’ early retirement.

Somewhat shocked to find himself in third place, David’s brother and current British Champion, Mark Higgins, upped his game for stage two and edged his Subaru into the lead, his challenge helped when David’s car developed transmission problems.

After four stages and at the first service halt of the day, Champion still held second place, but team-mate Higgins had dropped to fifth, the team deciding to change his car’s front differential in the 20 minute stop. Frustratingly the job over-ran by five minutes and Higgins was subsequently penalised with a 50 second penalty, pushing him down to 11th place.

Two stages later it was Champions’s turn for misfortune, when suddenly he found he had no clutch. Although he could drive through the stage without time loss, leaving the start line was a problem and he dropped to third behind another former British Champion, Gwyndaf Evans in a Mitsubishi.

Champion held on to third place for the rest of the day and, although the team had fixed his clutch, damage had been done to fifth gear and the team elected to change the gearbox at the first service halt on Sunday morning.

In the mean time Higgins was on a charge and recorded three fastest stage times to haul himself up to sixth by close of play on Saturday.

Evans suffered similar problems to those of the Mitsubishi team’s when his Lancer needed a new clutch and he too collected penalties for leaving the service area late, resulting in Champion re-taking second place behind Mark Higgins on Sunday morning.

Then on SS12, the second of Sunday’s stages, the Subaru driver collected two punctures and suddenly Champion was in the lead. Now with victory in his sights he not only maintained his lead, but extended it - even when the sump guard parted company with his car on SS13!

Amazingly Champion recorded fastest times on stages 14 and 15, without a sump guard! After an impressive display of fast and controlled driving he crossed the line 12.8 seconds ahead of Mark Higgins and 20.6 seconds in front of Gwyndaf Evans in third.

David Higgins never gave up the chase right to the end, taking fastest time on the final stage and showing his mettle by climbing back to fourth place, giving the Mitsubishi team an excellent start to the season.

The Mitsubishi team now prepare for a change to an asphalt surface and the second round of the British Championship, the Jim Clark Rally on 7th & 8th July.

The team's three Lancer Evolution IXs are built by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield, who are also responsible for running the cars on events. The Mitsubishi Motors UK team is supported by: Pirelli, Rampage Performance Motorparts, Shell Helix, PIAA, Speedline Corse and Performance Friction Brakes.

Quotes:
Ryan Champion – Driver
“I just can't believe it, the first event as a Mitsubishi works driver and we’ve won it! Although we had a few problems, so did others, but when everything was going well and it came down to a straight fight between them and us, we came out on top. I have to admit that I’m thrilled to beat so many good drivers and former champions. It’s a dream start to the season.”

David Higgins – Driver
“Considering we had a delay on the first day I am very pleased with fourth place, especially against such tough opposition. I was also pleased to be able to set a number of fastest overall times. When I think that 10 days ago I wasn’t doing the rally, I’m really pleased to have the chance to compete this weekend and I really must thank Mitsubishi for the opportunity. I hope I will get the chance to compete on more BRC events this year.”

Rory Galligan – Driver
“It’s such a disappointing start to the season. I can't believe what happened. Nine times out of ten you can get away with a moment like we had, but it was just not our day. Other than the oil filter leak and punctures from running over something in the ditch, the car was undamaged, so had if it not lost any oil we could have continued. All I can do now is look forward to the next event.’

Paul Brigden – General Manager, Ralliart
“To win the first round of the season is a fantastic result. It’s testimony to Ryan and Craig’s skills inside the car and the rest of the team’s outside it. We came to the Pirelli looking for a win and we fulfilled our intentions. I was pleased with the performance of our cars against the opposition and we can now look forward to rest of the season with eager anticipation

Evans wins Evolution Challenge opener
This weekend’s Pirelli International Rally saw the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge enter a new era, the event heralding the start of the series’ first season with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.

First to take honours was former British Champion Gwyndaf Evans, partnered by Huw Lewis, he led the Evo Challenge field right from the start, but with a clutch change on the second day it was no easy task for the experienced Welshmen.

Eight Mitsubishi teams signed up to start this year’s one-make championship for Group N Lancer Evolutions and the quality of the field signaled that it was to be a highly competitive first round. With the new-look British Championship excluding World Rally Cars it meant that production specification machinery would run at the front of the field and therefore Evo Challenge runners were destined to battle for the leading positions.

Starting and finishing in Carlisle the rally featured 16 special stages, ten on Saturday and six on Sunday, with most of the event’s 114 competitive miles taking place on the gravel roads within the notorious Kielder Forest.

Evans was quickest out of the box and at the end of the first stage took the Evo Challenge lead and held fourth overall ahead of Jonny Milner. Phillip Morrow and Stuart Jones followed just a few seconds behind, the young chargers resurrecting their rivalry from last year.

Evans continued to extend his lead as others dropped back. At the first service halt of the day Milner was delayed with fuel feed problems and collected a 40 second penalty. Morrow’s car lost fourth and fifth gears and Jones was unsure about his cars handling.


The opening round of this year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge kicked-off in spectacular style on this weekend’s Pirelli International Rally, with Gwyndaf Evans and co-driver Huw Lewis taking victory in their Lancer Evolution IX.


Others suffering the Kielder curse were Neil McCance, who mis-heard a pacenote and put his car off the road and into retirement on SS3, whilst on the same stage both Connor McCloskey and Evo Challenge new-recruit Shaun Gallager were both delayed with punctures.

Stephen Petch was the next Evo Challenger to retire when he was caught out by a deceptive bend on SS7, went into a ditch and rattled his car off a few logs, making it look decidedly worse for wear.

With his car’s handling sorted Jones went in pursuit of his team mate, but such was Evans’ pace he now held second place overall and had pulled out a lead of 58 seconds. However, his car’s clutch started to slip over the day’s closing stages and the team opted to change it at the first service on Sunday morning.

With the repair taking longer than expected Evans collected a 40 second penalty for leaving the service area late, putting Jones within striking distance.

The same service halt allowed Morrow’s team to change the damaged gearbox and with his car restored to full strength the Ulsterman set about making up for lost time. However, Milner had the same intention and pushed hard throughout Sunday’s stages.

Then just when it looked like the Evo Challenge top-three was established, Jones slid wide on a fast corner and the car dropped into a ditch, rolled and landed back on it wheels. With minimal damage he tried to set-off immediately, but lost two minutes trying to re-start the engine.

As cars returned to Carlisle it was Evans who had dominated the opening round of the Evolution Challenge. Milner had fought back to take second place, whilst Morrow had had a clear run on Sunday to finish third and Jones held fourth, despite his brief inversion.

Shaun Gallager came home fifth after an excellent run in his new Evo IX, with Connor McCloskey sixth. Stephen Petch and Neil McCance both restarted on the second day under Super-rally regulations, their persistence seeing them collect seventh and eighth places respectively.

“Considering we had a few problems I’m very happy with the result.” Said Evans. “It would have been a tall order to win the event overall following the penalty we picked up after the clutch change, but I’m very pleased to have won the first round of the Evolution Challenge.”

The next round of the Evolution Challenge is the Jim Clark Rally on 7th & 8th July. The Championship is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.

2006 Evolution Challenge Round One - Pirelli International Rally (13th & 14th May)

Results:
1st Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth) - 1:45:58.4
2nd Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor) - 1:47:16.6
3rd Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) - 1:47:30.1
4th Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) - 1:49:08.1
5th Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny) - 1:52:18.6
6th Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan) - 1:54.56.6
7th Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law) - 2:23:41.6
8th Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin) - 3:08.43.0

SUPER RALLY TO GASS’S RESCUE
Darren Gass and reigning BRC production champion co-driver Neil Shanks were highest placed Super 1600 privateers on this weekend’s Pirelli International Rally even after retiring on day one of the event.

New regulations for the 2006 British Rally Championship mean that any crew failing to finish the first leg of the event can re-start on leg two albeit with a hefty time penalty. The system is borrowed from the World Rally Championship here it has been successfully used for a couple of years now and means that spectators have a better chance of seeing their heroes in action.

Darren and Neil’s BRC campaign was always going to be a steep learning curve and the Carlisle based event is a daunting one, as it uses the world renowned Kielder forest. After testing a similar Fiesta in Wales the team had instructions to start slowly and build confidence and speed, but ultimately to bring the car to the finish and gain experience.

The first day consisted of ten stages and the team’s plan was going to plan until stage eight; 25th overall, Darren had altered his driving style to increase traction from the front wheel drive 220bhp Fiesta and was building his pace, but part-way through the first running of Kershope the car was reported stopped. “The front suspension broke,” explained Neil, “and with it the steering went. Luckily it wasn’t a fast section but it dragged us into a ditch where we found a boulder.” He continued, “It flipped the car right over and back onto its wheels but we were going no further.”

The car remained stuck in the stage until around 8.30 pm when the Crozier Motorsport mechanics were allowed access to assess the damage. It was another three hours before they made temporary repairs and recovered it back to Carlisle, and midnight when parts arrived from M-Sport. A Herculean effort by the team overnight meant the car arrived for the re-start on Sunday where the final six stages awaited. “The lads went beyond what was expected,” said Darren, “they didn’t finish until five thirty on Sunday morning and just had time to wash and get changed before they had to be back at service. I can’t thank them enough.”

The team’s efforts were rewarded, posting some excellent stage times, the best of which beat Suzuki driver James Wozencroft and snapped at the heels of Barry Clark’s similar Fiesta. Any further progress up the leaderboard was hampered by a puncture on the penultimate stage which they sensibly elected to stop and change. “It was about half way through the stage and there was no point in damaging the car by continuing on the rim,” explained Neil, “Anyway it was good practice and we didn’t have anything to lose.”

Despite the eventful rally, the pair finished fourth in Super 1600 with the three drivers in front all factory supported. But most importantly they gained invaluable experience and as a result of sterling work by the team and the innovative Super Rally rules, they completed mileage that would normally have been lost.

He next scheduled event takes them back to asphalt with the fourth round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, The Donegal International Rally based in Letterkenny in mid June.

Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill, EMC Autopax, PIAA, AC Vehicle Components, Sligo Pallets, Alpha Cam, Crozier Motorsport Engineering and ID Graphics for their continuing support in 2006. You can check on the team’s progress at
Morrow 6th overall in British Rally Championship round one
Lisburn driver Phillip Morrow, together with his co-driver Daniel Barritt from Burnley, made his mark on the British Rally Championship this weekend, when he finished a hard-fought sixth overall in round one of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally.

Starting and finishing in Carlisle the rally featured 16 special stages, ten on Saturday and six on Sunday, with most of the event’s 114 competitive miles taking place on the gravel roads within the notorious Kielder Forest.

With the new-look British Championship excluding World Rally Cars, it meant that all of the top drivers were in similar specification Production Class machinery. Unsurprisingly the competition was fierce, especially as seven former British Rally Champions had entered the event.

Still learning about his new Evolution IX, Phillip set off on the first of Saturday’s stages with some caution and was delighted to emerge in sixth place overall. However, during the stage Phillip found he could not select fifth gear and was therefore losing time on the long straights. What was worse, fourth gear was also going the same way.

With no choice except to press on, Phillip drove as hard as he could, but was always aware there might be debris in the gearbox that could make things more difficult.

“There was little I could do other than carry on.” Said Phillip. “We dropped to ninth place at one point but ended the first day in eighth. It was frustrating as I knew that however hard I drove round the corners, I was always going to lose out on the straights.”

At the first service halt on Sunday morning the team changed the gearbox and Phillip set about making up for lost time. After proving he was on the pace of the front-runners, he realised he would not be able to get any higher than sixth unless others had problems. He was therefore pleased to make it across the line in Carlisle to finish sixth overall and third in the Evolution Challenge.

“When I realised it would be difficult to get any higher I decided it was more important to make it to the finish rather than risk everything just to gain a place. Considering we had problems I’m really pleased with sixth overall and third in the Evolution Challenge. I learnt a great deal on this event, not just about driving my new car, but it was the first gravel rally where I made my own pace notes. It was also good to measure my performance against the best drivers in the UK.”

The next event on Phillip’s calendar will be the Shell Donegal Rally on June 16th – 18th, round four of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship.

Phillip’s 2006 British and Irish Rally Championship campaigns are 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.

McCLOSKEY OPENS BRC ACCOUNT Connor McCloskey and co-driver Damien Connelly took seventeenth place overall on the first round of the British Rally Championship despite losing two minutes with a puncture early in the rally.

The Egger backed crew took the decision to use their older Mitsubishi Evolution 8 on the Pirelli International Rally which was also the first round of the UK’s Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge. “As this was our first gravel BRC event, we decided to use the Evo 8 and save the Evo 9 for the asphalt events.” Said Connor, “But when we saw the entry list and arrived to see the competition in their later cars, I wished I could pop back to Ireland and get ours!”

The sixteen stage event was based in the infamous Kielder forest complex but Connor and Damien were relaxed at the start and posted good times on the opening stages, lying just inside the top twenty after the first pair. Stage three was another story though. The crew suffered a puncture on the front left hand tyre, making negotiating right-hand corners very tricky. “We decided not to stop,” explained Connor, “and we certainly dropped less time than if we’d changed it, but we lost around two minutes and eight places overall.”

Sporting some minor body damage as a result of the flailing tyre, the pair got straight back into their stride on the very next stage, the short P-Zero spectator special. They set twelfth quickest time but amongst the eleven in front were six former British rally champions. “I was really mad that we’d dropped the time in stage three and there aren’t many trees to hit on P-Zero so we had a bit of fun to make up for it.” said Connor. By the end of day one and another top fifteen time through the last stage of the day, P-Zero, the Northern Irish crew had climbed back up six places and were confident of a good run on Sunday.

Just six stages separated the cars and drivers from the finish back in Carlisle and Connor set about classic stages like Kershope and Chirdonhead for the second time. Up front the battle for overall honours proved the competitiveness of the new-look British Rally Championship. Seven former BRC champions and several one-make champions were joined in battle but Connor admitted he needed more experience before mixing it at the front. “These guys have all done events like this before so I’m glad to be within sight of them on my first outing in Kielder. And we’d have been even closer if we’d brought the new car so it is encouraging for future events.”

The Sunday stages were short and sweet but the penultimate twelve mile Chirdonhead test reminded them what rallying in Kielder was all about. “We both had a sweat on by half way but then we caught a car. It was frustrating as we were stuck in the dust for miles and there’s no way past when the other guy can’t see you behind. We still enjoyed the event and I think after the puncture yesterday sixth in the Evo Challenge is a good result.” said Connor at the finish.

The next event in the calendar sees the 2005 Fisher Foundation Young Driver award winner return to the Irish Tarmac Championship with the Donegal International Rally in mid-June.

Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, Euro Components, KBB Doors, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their continuing support in 2006

Results
1st Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:45:37.8
2nd Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N12) - 1:45:50.6
3rd Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:45:58.4
4th David Higgins/Ieua Thomas (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:46:56.6
5th Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:47:16.6
6th Phillip Morrow/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:47.30.1
7th Alistair McRae/Gordon Noble (Subaru Impreza N11) - 1:48:38.1
8th Julian Reynolds/Stewart Merry (Subaru Impreza N12) - 1:48:55.6
9th Stuart Jones/Craig Parrry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX) - 1:49:08.1
10th Conrad Rautenbach/David Senior (Subaru Impreza N12) - 1:49:15.9
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Alister McRae is a last minute entry on this weekend's Pirelli Rally in a McKinstry N11.
  • EVOLUTION CHALLENGE ENTERS A NEW ERA
    Mitsubishi series begins first full British Rally
    Championship campaign
    Pirelli Rally kicks off sixth year of Evolution Challenge
    Quality entries assure closely fought season
  • Entry list released
  • DARREN GASS: BRC’S YOUNGEST DRIVER
  • Gordon Coleman – Pre Pirelli National Rally
  • CONNOR’S FIRST TASTE OF BRC GRAVEL
  • David Higgins joins Mitsubishi for first round of British Rally Championship
  • Colin McRae to Master Pirelli National Rally.
    World champion to join BRC Rallymasters.
  • IRISH EYES ON CUMBRIA'S BIG RALLY
  • FROM HIGH HEELS TO FAST WHEELS
  • Regulations available
  • CURTAIN RAISER SEES TOUGH CUMBRIAN CHALLENGE
09/06/05
Alister McRae is a last minute entry on this weekend's Pirelli Rally in a McKinstry N11.
Alister McRae is a last minute entry on this weekend Pirelli Rally, the first round of the British Rally Championship which is based in Carlisle.

"I received a telephone call last weekend asking if I was available to drive on the rally. The British Rally Championship has attracted an incredible line up of drivers which includes six former British Rally Champions from the '90's when we were driving the F2 cars. I was the only driver missing and a one off deal has been done for me to drive a Kenny McKinstry Subaru Impreza N11.

I won the Pirelli in 1996 driving a Ford Escort Cosworth and have not competed on the event since 1998 when I drove for Volkswagon. I am really looking forward to competing against the Higgins brothers, Tapio, Martin Rowe, Gwnydaf and Jonny Milner. I won the British Rally Championship in 1995 and am hoping for a good run on this year's Pirelli. The spectators will certainly be entertained with us all in action again on the opening round of Britain's major rally championship. Who know's what may happen if I have a good run!

Last weekend, Gordon Noble and I were competing on the Carlow Mk2 Ford Escort Challenge. It was not to be our rally as I had some minor problems on the first few stages which I sorted in service and then took the lead from Gwnydaf Evans on the fourth stage and led by 15 seconds. On the fifth stage an oil pipe burst and every last drop of oil in the car was on the road - an abrupt end to our rally. Gwnydaf went on to win," said Alister McRae as he was looking forward to the Kielder forest this weekend.

09/05/06
EVOLUTION CHALLENGE ENTERS A NEW ERA
Mitsubishi series begins first full British Rally
Championship campaign
Pirelli Rally kicks off sixth year of Evolution Challenge
Quality entries assure closely fought season

` This weekend's Carlisle-based Pirelli International Rally sees the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge begin its sixth season and its first with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.

With the BRC excluding World Rally Cars this year, Class R4 (production category) machinery, such as the Mitsubishi Evolution, will feature at the head of the field and therefore Evo Challenge competitors will have a real opportunity to battle for the overall British title, as well as series honours.

For the third year in succession Mitsubishi Motors UK are offering the series winner the prize of a fully-funded works drive, an award which has tempted some of the country's most aspiring young drivers to sign-up for the Evolution Challenge.

Second and third in last year's series, Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow, will resurrect their rivalry as they go head-to-head in brand new Evo IXs. They will be joined by other young chargers, also in latest spec Lancers, Connor McCloskey and Stephen Petch, the latter no stranger to the British Championship.

On the more seasoned side of the coin, this year's Evolution Challenge will see battles re-visited by former British Champions, Jonny Milner and Gwyndaf Evans, again both in new Evolution IXs.

Predictably, the series has also attracted entries from Ireland, besides Connor McClosky Neil McCance also returns to the Evolution Challenge. Shaun Gallagher makes his series debut and it is expected that other Irishman will follow suit as the season progresses and the surface changes from gravel to asphalt.

Adding his name to the Mitsubishi entry list is Dougie Hall, who is destined to be challenging for honours and become a serious contender for the title.

"We are excited about the prospect of our first year with the British Championship." Said Evo Challenge Coordinator, Simon Slade. "With such a high quality of competitors and the addition of the Wales Rally GB as the final round, we are confident that this season will prove to be the series' most competitive and high profile yet."

With nine entries confirmed and a total of 38 cars in the event, the Evolution Challenge continues to represent nearly a quarter of the overall field.

The Pirelli Rally starts in Carlisle city centre at 08.00 on Saturday morning. Competitors then tackle eight timed special stages in the infamous Kielder Forest and two spectator stages at 'Zero', a spectator stage just a few miles outside Carlisle. Sunday's leg starts at 07.00 with a further five stages in Keilder and a final showdown at 'Zero' before the finish back in Carlisle at 13.30.

The Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.

2006 Evolution Challenge Round One - Pirelli International Rally (13th & 14th May).

Registered drivers/co-drivers in start number order:

6. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor)
7. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth)
12. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech)
15. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley)
19. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law)
24. Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny)
26. Doug Hall (Appleby)/Steve Clark (Elgin)
31. Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin)
34. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan)

08/05/06
Entry list on event website:
08/05/06
DARREN GASS: BRC’S YOUNGEST DRIVER
Seventeen year-old ‘A’ level student Darren Gass from Markethill in Northern Ireland will join the Super 1600 battle in his impressive new steed on the first round of the British Rally Championship in Carlisle.

The youngster will use the same Group A6 Fiesta in which he took a fine class win on Rally Ireland in March and in which he holds third in class in the Irish series. Darren is the youngest registered driver in the British Rally Championship, but unfazed by the task ahead, he has pinched the reigning Production category co-driver for his first outing on gravel.

Neil Shanks is no stranger to the series and sat with Darren on the Circuit of Ireland in April. “He is very confident for someone of his age,” commented Neil, “but when you look at the cars he’s driven and co-driven it’s no surprise.” It will be strange competing against Barry (Clark) after last year, but it won’t stop us from trying our hardest.”

Darren’s regular successful outings in a similar powered Rallycross Saxo Kit car gave him an excellent grounding in front wheel drive. He also contested five rallies in 2005, including finishing second in class on the Ulster International Rally and a very impressive ninth overall on the Galloway Hills Rally on his debut in a four wheel drive car, all after turning seventeen in late June.

Crozier Motorsport will look after the car this year, with the guidance of two M-Sport technicians, who will attend each rally with the necessary spares. The team tested with M-Sport at the Sweetlamb forestry complex in late April, driving Barry Clark’s similar Fiesta to fine-tune the settings. “Roman Kresta had done most of the set-up work beforehand,” explained Darren, “so it was more of a chance to feel how the car behaves on the loose. I don’t expect to be on the pace of those guys straight away, as I’m not even sure whether to make my own pace-notes yet!”

The first round of the new-look British series is based in Carlisle and after a city centre start early on Saturday, the stages are mainly in the infamous Kielder Forest complex. The service area at Carlisle Airport to the east of the city will be the hub of activity on Saturday and Sunday, with the spectator special stage at nearby Newby Grange. A total of 115 miles of fast gravel tracks await the crews who will all be looking forward to a fierce battle and the finish in Carlisle on Sunday afternoon.

Darren would like to thank Castrol, Kumho Tyres, Millview Fuels, Dalzells of Markethill, EMC Autopax, PIAA, AC Vehicle Components, Sligo Pallets, Alpha Cam, Crozier Motorsport Engineering and ID Graphics for their continuing support.

You can check on the team’s progress at
Gordon Coleman – Pre Pirelli National Rally
Young Irish rally driver Gordon Coleman will take part in the Pirelli National Rally on 14th May. The Cork driver will compete in the event in his Ford Fiesta as part of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy which has over 20 competitors in identical cars.

The Pirelli National Rally is round two of the one make championship and is run on some of Britain’s most famous stages in Kielder Forest.

Following his mechanical retirement from round one of the championship, the talented youngster is hoping for a strong finish to add his name to the championship leader board.

CONNOR’S FIRST TASTE OF BRC GRAVEL
20 year old Connor McCloskey will start the British Rally Championship this weekend with three rounds of the Irish Rally Championship and a fine tenth overall on Rally Ireland under his belt.

The youngster from Kilrea in Northern Ireland will contest the British series in his Pirelli-shod Mitsubishi Evolution 8 and will be partnered by Damien Connelly. Connor plans to contest the Irish and British Rally Championships as well as the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge and, if time permits, some rounds of the Northern Irish Rally Championship. This ambitious schedule has been built on the springboard of Connor’s Fisher Foundation Young Driver Award which he won in 2005. The award has already helped fund a training session at John Haugland’s famous Norwegian ice driving school, teaching Connor invaluable car control skills.

Having only begun rallying in 2004, Connor is getting used to busy years with eleven events to his credit in 2005, when some fine class and overall results mixed with frustrating retirements “The start of the 2006 tarmac season seems a lifetime ago and it was frustrating on the first round as we had strict instructions to get to the finish in one piece. We’ve been using a new Evo 9 for the last few tarmac events but we’re sticking with the Evo 8 for the gravel.”

Connor is not a stranger to the British series, taking 3rd place in the Mitsubishi Evo challenge on the 2005 Jim Clark Rally while Damien also has experience in the BRC, finishing tenth on the Manx and seventh in Ulster. The pair’s rally CVs make impressive reading although neither has experience on British Rally Championship gravel so the Pirelli Rally will be a baptism of fire.

Connor, “If we can continue to improve I’ll be happy. The fact that there won’t be any world rally machinery up front will make the events more of a level playing field, although our only plan is to make it to the finish and gain experience on this first rally. I’m also quite keen to keep it in one piece as our main sponsor Egger is based in Hexham and I think they even own some of the forest nearby!”

The first round of the new-look British series is based in Carlisle and after a city centre start early on Saturday, the stages are mainly in the infamous Kielder Forest complex. The service area at Carlisle Airport to the east of the city will be the hub of activity on Saturday and Sunday, with the spectator special “P-Zero” stage at nearby Newby Grange. A total of 115 miles of fast gravel tracks await the crews who will all be looking forward to a fierce battle and the finish in Carlisle on Sunday afternoon.

Connor and the team would like to thank Egger (wood based panels), The Fisher Foundation, Euro Components, KBB Doors, Pirelli and Shell Racing Fuels for their support in 2006

07/05/06
David Higgins joins Mitsubishi for first round of British Rally Championship
Mitsubishi UK fields third works car for Pirelli Rally
Last minute deal sees Higgins rejoin team
Team hoping to run third car for whole season

Mitsubishi Motors UK are delighted to announce that David Higgins will join its works rally team for the first round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, a recent turn of events allowing a last minute entry into next weekend’s Pirelli International Rally.

Higgins (Trefeglwys) will drive the same car he used in 2005. Since then, the Mitsubishi has been extensively overhauled and converted to a latest specification Lancer Evolution IX. He will join the team’s existing drivers, Rory Galligan (Oldcastle) and Ryan Champion (Castleton), who will both be competing in brand new cars.

“For the last few weeks I have wished I was doing this year’s British Championship”, said Higgins. “So when I got the call from Paul Brigden (General Manager for Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart) I was absolutely delighted - and I have to say a little surprised!”

“With the Group N cars destined to be at the front in this year’s BRC it’s going to be really competitive, especially when there will be five former Champions taking part - all in similar machinery. I really have to thank Mitsubishi for the opportunity to add my name to the list.“

Brigden said: “When the chance came up for us to run a third car on the Pirelli Rally I asked David to join us and I’m delighted he was in a position to accept the offer. It’s a great boost to the start of the season and will really help with our goal to win both the driver’s and team’s titles.”

Higgins will be co-driven by Ieuan Thomas (Ammanford). Although the pair have competed together on a number of occasions, Thomas will be making his debut for the Mitsubishi team next weekend.

The team hope that circumstances will allow the 2004 British Champion to campaign a third car throughout the season. However, the deal to enable a full campaign is yet to be concluded.

22/04/06
Colin McRae to Master Pirelli National Rally.
World champion to join BRC Rallymasters.

Colin McRae, World Rally Champion in 1995 and two-time British Rally Champion, has signed up for the inaugural BRC Rallymasters series for an attack on the Carlisle-based Pirelli National Rally on Saturday May 13th.

McRae, famous the world over for his rallying achievements, will be joined on the event by co-driver Nicky Grist and will campaign his DJM / Colin McRae designed MkII Escort, powered by a 2.5 litre Millington engine.

"It's going to be good to get back into action on the Pirelli and be part of the BRC Rallymasters," says McRae. "The Pirelli National Rally is a fantastic event, and I'm looking forward to taking on the infamous Kielder Stages as part of Rallymasters. It looks like a good concept and represents great value for money."

McRae's entry is 'just for fun,' but even in a 2 wheel drive car the other Rallymasters competitors will be aware of just how quick the Scots driver is, with McRae currently second in the overall driver standings for most wins in WRC events.

For the event, McRae is supported by event title sponsor, Pirelli, BRC fuel producer, Greenergy and MNH Vehicle Contracts Ltd. "We're delighted to have Colin come to Carlisle and take part in the Pirelli National Rally," says Pirelli's Martin Pallot. "Mark Hindle from MNH has helped make this happen and it's really going to add something special to the rally and to see Colin rallying in Kielder in his very special Escort."

The Pirelli National Rally takes place on the Saturday of the two day Pirelli International Rally, the opening round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, and McRae will be running his car on the same Tesco 99 Octane fuel as used by the BRC this season.

"As a fellow competitor in BRC Rallymasters I'm overjoyed that Colin has chosen to be part of this new series and the fact that he will be running on Tesco 99 Octane is even better," says Andrew Owens, MD of Greenergy who produce the environmentally friendlier fuel for Tesco and the BRC. "It's certainly going to give us some strong competition in on the stages and I know it will be a treat for the fans."

BRC Rallymasters is a new series as part of the British Rally Championship and offers the best value pound per stage mile rallying in the UK on some of the top British classic events for cars which are no longer eligible for the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship regulations.

"To have Colin McRae sign up for Rallymasters is fantastic news," says BRC manager, Mark Taylor. "We're developing this series to appeal to competitors who want to experience classic events, want value for money no fuss rallying, compete on an even footing with others and above all enjoy great camaraderie and fun with a capital 'F'. Colin's presence is a real boost and I know he is looking forward to competing and having fun with the other Rallymasters competitors on the Pirelli."

The Pirelli National Rally takes place on May 13th, following the International competitors, starting in and finishing in Carlisle, Rallymasters competitors compete over 80 forest stage miles in the Kielder forest complex. Further information can be found at www.brcweb.co.uk.

Entries for the second round of Rallymasters are still open and entry forms and details of the Pirelli National Rally can be found at:
10/06/04
IRISH EYES ON CUMBRIA'S BIG RALLY
There has been considerable Irish interest in the forthcoming Pirelli international rally and the first entry from across the water has come from Mitsubishi team driver Rory Galligan and regular co- driver Greg Shinnors.

There has been considerable Irish interest in the forthcoming Pirelli international rally and the first entry from across the water has come from Mitsubishi team driver Rory Galligan and regular co- driver Greg Shinnors as the duo prepare to open their assault on the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, aiming to better last year's third place in the series.

Galligan will drive a new Lancer Evo, a more powerful car than last years M8 model and will be hoping that Mitsubishi have overcome the reliability problems that dogged them last year although his 5 Group N wins was a considerable achievement.

Also boarding the Belfast - Stranraer ferry to compete on only his second UK rally will be 22 year old Gordon Coleman, the son of Ireland's all-time rallying legend Billy Coleman, who will be driving a Ford Fiesta ST on the Pirelli Trophy Rally. He has shown some pace, as his 9th overall on Rally Ireland proved and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the unfamiliar Cumbrian Forests.

FROM HIGH HEELS TO FAST WHEELS Whilst they may not figure amongst the leading crews on the Pirelli Trophy Rally, the top contenders in the “Glamour Stakes” will unquestionably be the all-girl crew of Amanda Macczak and Jemma Bellingham who will be out to show the men a thing or two.

Whilst they may not figure amongst the leading crews on the Carlisle based Pirelli Trophy Rally, the top contenders in the “Glamour Stakes” will unquestionably be the all-girl crew of Amanda Macczak and Jemma Bellingham who will be out to show the men a thing or two in their All Girl Rallying Ford Escort Cosworth in which they intend to launch an assault on the male dominated world of rallying.

Car mad Jemma, a 23 year old producer with BBC Radio Cumbria admits she has always been a bit of a “Petrolhead” and, unusually for an attractive young girl, has forsaken the club scene and Carlisle’s nightlife, preferring to stand in cold, wet forests, watching rally cars go by. For some years, Jemma has helped her Dad, Les who is a key member of the Pirelli International Rally organising team but the lure of competing has won and this season Jemma has taken the plunge, co-driving in a Pirelli shod Ford Escort Cosworth for Amanda Macczak from Aberystwyth.

As beginners to the rallying game, the girls first task was to equip themselves with the necessary equipment such as suits and helmets and this posed a problem when Jemma went looking for a pair of rally boots, as none of the stockists had any to fit her tiny size 3 feet!! A pair were eventually sourced in Italy, appropriately in a nice shade of Ferrari red.

The All Girl Rallying outfits first event was the Rally Cwm Gwendreath based at Pembrey in South Wales where an eventful day saw them come home in 36th place despite a couple of off-road excursions and demolishing a tyre wall. They will travel even further South in a couple of weeks to compete in the Somerset Stages rally before heading for the dreaded Killer Kielder Forest and the Pirelli Trophy Rally which will be their first “proper” forest rally.

04/04/06
Regulations are now available for the opening round of the BRC 11/02/06
CURTAIN RAISER SEES TOUGH CUMBRIAN CHALLENGE
This years Carlisle based Pirelli International rally will give competitors heading to Cumbria for the opening round of the revamped British Rally Champion ship a hard , tough, “Test amongst the Trees” with a long, 11 hour, action packed opening day featuring no fewer than 10 special stages set amongst some of the most demanding terrain in the country.

Alarm clocks will have to be primed, with the early Stars of the Future runners scheduled to leave the distinctive Pirelli start facility in Carlisle City Centre from 7:00am for a run up to the dreaded “Killer”Kielder Forest for a loop of 4 special stages over that area’s unique undulating tracks before heading down to tackle the exciting P-Zero Spectator stage at Newby Grange which proved to be a big attraction for rally enthusiasts when it was first introduced on last years Pirelli International rally.

After a brief halt to re-fettle the cars, it’s back to the pleasures ( ! ) of Kielder plus two very interesting stages in North Cumbria before a return visit to P-Zero brings the first days 71 miles of flat out competition to a close and the promise of a welcome shower and bed looms ever nearer.

Any hopes of a long linger in bed will soon be dashed however, for day Two of the Pirelli International rally features another “Crack of Dawn” getaway, the crews who survived the opening day have to attempt to safely negotiate a further 7 stages which will be no less demanding than those of the previous day, the action finishing with a final run round the P-Zero test and the chance to perform in front of a large audience.

Interest in the Pirelli International Rally is at an all time high, the organisers currently receiving numerous requests for information on the rally and accommodation in the Carlisle area. A notable number of enquiries have been coming from Ireland with quite a few of their top stars expressing an interest in coming to take on the top British Championship runners in their own backyard.

Topics: Pirelli Rally (BRC) 

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