News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
Links2008 Irish Evolution Challenge
Posted: January 13, 2009 12:40 PM - 13193 Hits
- Evo Challenge winner opts for Irish Tarmac Championship prize
- Cumiskey gets the keys to his prize drive
- Championship Points after Final Round
- Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland swaps event
- ALMC rally to replace Donegal as a counting round of the 2008 Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
- Irish Evo Challenge
Evo Challenge winner opts for Irish Tarmac Championship prize
Posted: January 13, 2009 12:40 PM
The winner of the 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland Brendan Cumiskey will contest the first three rounds of this year’s Irish Tarmac Rally Championship as his prize for securing the title.
Initially, Cumiskey was awarded a supported drive in this month’s Rally Ireland but found the opportunity of spreading his prize over three Irish Championship rounds more appealing. These events include next weekend’s Galway Rally, April’s Circuit of Ireland and the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in May.
Evo Challenge organisers have confirmed that the prize will include: entry fees, fuel, tyres, technical support and accommodation, plus the use of a James Foley Rallysport prepared Lancer Evolution X for the three-day Circuit of Ireland.
“I’m delighted to have been able to swap the prize from a supported drive in Rally Ireland to the first three rounds of the Irish Tarmac Championship”, said Cumiskey. “The support from the Evo Challenge gives me a great boost to the start of the season and, if all goes according to plan, I would also like to contest the remaining rounds of the Irish series as well.”
Cumiskey gets the keys to his prize drive
Posted: November 4, 2008 12:15 PM
At the end of season awards ceremony for the 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland, Brendan Cumiskey was handed the keys of the car he’ll be using in next year’s Rally Ireland – his prize for winning the inaugural season of the series.
The brand new Lancer Evolution X, which will be prepared by James Foley Rallysport for the opening round of the 2009 World Rally Championship, was unveiled at the series’ prizegiving event held at the City North Hotel near Dublin on Saturday 1st November. On receiving the keys, Cumiskey said:
“It isn’t until you actually see the car that you realise what a fantastic prize this is. Although I was first on two of the rounds I didn’t think I was going to do it, right up until the final event, but I’m delighted to have won the first ever season of the Irish Evo Challenge. It’s a great series and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m now looking forward to January and Rally Ireland.”
Other award winners were:
1st Co-driver: Domhall McAllaney
2nd Driver: Damien Tourish
2nd Co-driver:Ivor Lamont
3rd Driver: Alan Carmichael
3rd Co-driver: Conor Foley
4th Driver:Stanley Ballentine
4th Co-driver: Richard Hyland
Performance Friction Brakes Cup: Damien Tourish
PIAA Junior Award: Damien Tourish
Speedline Grand Attack Award: Damien Tourish
RPM Media Award: Alan Carmichael
Sparco best improved crew: Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont
Sunoco Spirit Award: Stanley Ballentine
Details of the 2009 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland are scheduled to be announced later this month.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland was supported by: Sunoco Racing Fuels, Pirelli tyres, Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, Performance Friction Brakes, Speedline Corse wheels, PIAA lights, Murray Motorsport, Sparco racewear, Pacenotes and James Foley Rallysport, who are providing a Group N Lancer Evolution for the 2008 Champion to use in next year’s Rally
Ireland.
Championship Points after Final Round
Posted: September 9, 2008 8:18 PM
Final Championship Positions
Drivers
1 Brendan Cumiskey 48
2 Damien Tourish 46
3 Alan Carmichael 41
4 Stanley Ballentine 34
5 Owen Murphy 30
6 Tom Curley 21
7 Michael Murray 16
8 Liam McFall 6
9 Colm Murphy 4
Co-drivers
1 Domhall McAllaney 46
2 Ivor Lamont 44
3 Conor Foley 36
4 Richard Hyland 34
5 Aidan Mannion 18
6 Peter O’Toole 12
7 James O’Brien 10
8 Paul Horan 8
9 Pat Cashman 8
10 Brian Miller 6
11 Brian Duggan 4
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland swaps event
Posted: May 19, 2008 10:42 PM
Organisers of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland have today announced that round four of the Eire-based one-make series for Group N Lancer Evolutions will be the ALMC City North Hotel Stages Rally on 6th July, in place of the Topaz International Donegal Rally on 14th & 15th June, which was initially included in the Mitsubishi championship’s six-round calendar.
The move has come about following concerns that not all of the registered Evolution Challenge teams would be able to gain an entry in Donegal, a scenario that was considered unfair for those who would not be able to compete, as Championship Manager Simon Slade explains:
“We initially included Donegal because of the rally's excellent reputation. However, as the event got nearer we became aware that it would be difficult to ensure that all of our crews would get an entry. It’s a shame, but we fully understand the situation the rally organisers have, with it being so oversubscribed. We therefore looked at moving to another event and the ALMC Stages just outside Dublin on 6th July fitted into our calendar very well.”
Slade continues: “Although some of our competitors would have liked Donegal to remain as a round of the Evo Challenge, they understand the reason why we have had to make the change. However, with the two events a few weeks apart, it still allows competitors to compete in both if they wish.”
Clerk of the Course for the ALMC Stages Rally John Carroll is delighted that his event has been selected as a round of the Mitsubishi championship:
“The ALMC Motor Club welcomes the Evolution Challenge. Whilst traditionally a Clubman’s event, we are now building-up its status and see the inclusion of the Mitsubishi championship as a step towards this. It is also rewarding for the ALMC members in light of their hard work over the last few years. We are confident that the drivers will not be disappointed with the stages we have in store.”
The ALMC Stages Rally will be based at the City North Hotel, approximately 40 kms from Dublin on the M1 motorway. The event will feature three stages ran three times, with a central service area. All of the event’s 145 competitive kms will take place in County Meath.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland is supported by: Sunoco Racing Fuels, Pirelli tyres, Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, Performance Friction Brakes, Speedline Corse wheels, PIAA lights, Murray Motorsport, Sparco racewear, Pacenotes and James Foley Rallysport, who are providing a Group N Lancer Evolution for the 2008 Champion to use in next year’s Rally Ireland.
ALMC rally to replace Donegal as a counting round of the 2008 Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
Posted: May 10, 2008 1:48 PM
Irish Evo Challenge
Posted: February 5, 2008 8:23 PM
- Owen Murphy Rallying signs up for Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.
- Irish Evo Challenge prize gets boost from JFR
- Irish Evo Challenge gets the green light!
Supported prize drive in Rally Ireland on offer for Champion Driver, Pirelli confirmed as controlled tyre supplier , Sunoco to provide controlled fuel - Regulations available
- Irish Evo Challenge is go!!!
- Championship Rounds
21/01/08
Owen Murphy Rallying signs up for Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.
Owen Murphy and James O'Brien have entered the inaugural Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge which kicks off its first round at the Galway International Rally on February 2ndand 3rd.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland consists of 6 rounds, the others being the West Cork Rally, Killarney Rally of the Lakes, Donegal International Rally, the Wexford Rally and the Cork 20 International Rally.
Owen is delighted to be able to continue his association with Sunoco Fuels, and the change to Pirelli Tyres will strengthen his association with Tractamotors Cavan, Pirelli's Irish distributors, who also supported Owen last year through their Hankook Tyre division.
Owen says he is looking forward to competing against the best Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivers in Ireland, who are expected to also sign up for the 2008 challenge. He is hoping that some of the experience he gained last year during the Global Irish Tarmac Championship will assist him this year.
Owen will continue to be supported by O'Flynn Construction, O'Brien Crowley, Permafrost, Nyhan Motors (Mitsubishi), www.carnet.ie, www.rallypro.ie and Walsh Printers.
17/01/08
Irish Evo Challenge prize gets boost from JFR
As the countdown begins towards the first round of the inaugural Irish Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge in Galway on 2nd & 3rd February, organisers are delighted to announce that the Championship’s first prize of a supported drive in the 2009 Rally Ireland has just got even better!
Following the confirmation last week that the 2008 Evo Challenge Champion driver will be awarded a supported drive in their own car in next year’s Rally Ireland, James Foley Rallysport has come forward to offer a fully prepared Group N Lancer Evolution IX for the winner to use on the event.
“This is a fantastic offer”, said Championship Manager Simon Slade. “Providing a car for the winner of the Evolution Challenge turns the prize of an expenses paid outing into a complete arrive-and-drive package. We are most grateful for JFR for this generous support and I hope it will encourage even more Mitsubishi competitors to sign up for our championship.”
Based in Navan, Southern Ireland, James Foley Rallysport has been building Mitsubishis for over ten years, achieving notable success during that time, with company founder James Foley winning Group N class on the Galway rally in 2007. He is therefore delighted to see the Evolution Challenge launched in Ireland this year and said:
“With so many Mitsubishis competing in Ireland it’s great news that we now have our very own Evolution Challenge over here. It is an excellent boost to Irish motorsport and therefore I’m 110% behind it and pleased to be able to offer this award for the winner to compete in Rally Ireland.”
Other prizes will include the awarding of Pirelli tyres for the first three finishers on each round and at the end of the season.
There will also be other product awards on offer from Sunoco, Speedline wheels, Sparco and Performance Friction Brakes, plus a junior award for under 25 year old drivers presented by PIAA.
Having published the championship regulations at the Autosport Show last week, organisers are currently working to increase other areas of the prize fund, in order to reward competitors further down the field.
09/01/08
Irish Evo Challenge gets the green light!
Having initially announced plans a few months ago, organisers of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge are delighted to confirm details for the inaugural Irish series, which is due to get underway at the beginning of February.
About to start its eighth consecutive year in the UK, 2008 sees the official series for Group N Lancer Evolutions spread its wings outside Britain for the first time with the launch of two new championships in Ireland and Sweden.
The Irish Evo Challenge will feature six asphalt rallies and competitors will count their best five scores towards their final points total.
“We have chosen rallies which we feel will appeal to competitors”, said Championship Manager Simon Slade. “We hope that the evenly spaced calendar and the excellent reputation of the events will provide a popular, well contested and closely fought championship.”
Organisers are pleased to report that all events have agreed to give registered Evo Challenge crews priority selection for entries. All taking place south of the border to correspond with the area covered by Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, who are endorsing the series.
In keeping with the Evolution Challenge in the UK this year, the Irish series will also feature controlled Pirelli Tyres and Sunoco fuel to provide a level playing field for all competitors. The fuel will be regularly tested in order to ensure fair play.
With the generous support of its sponsors, organisers are delighted to announce that the championship’s first prize will be a supported drive in the 2009 Rally Ireland. The winning driver will be offered the opportunity to use their own car in the season’s opening round of the World Rally Championship, with entry, tyres, fuel and many other expenses paid for by the Evolution Challenge.
The championship will be coordinated in Ireland by the Sunoco agent Jim Crozier who has already spoken to many potential Evo Challenge competitors.
“Initial feedback from the teams has been very encouraging and it is hoped that over 20 will be signed up before the first round”, said Crozier. “Even though there is now just a few weeks before the first event, we are confident that the announcement of the prize fund will generate even more interest.”
Other prizes will include the awarding of Pirelli tyres for the first three finishers on each round and at the end of the season. There will also be other product awards on offer from Sunoco, Speedline wheels, Sparco and Performance Friction Brakes, plus a junior award for under 25 year old drivers presented by PIAA.
Regulations for the Irish Evolution Challenge are now available on line at
14/12/07
Irish Evo Challenge is go!!!
The championship will follow a similar format to that of the UK series. It is open to competitors driving homologated Group N Lancer Evolutions (VI – IX) and is expected to feature controlled fuel and tyres to ensure a level playing field.
Six all-asphalt events are planned, from which five scores will count towards the end of season points total. There will be a mixture of both national and international status events and all rounds will take place south of the border to correspond with the area covered by Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, who are backing the series.
Comment from Simon Slade, Championship Manager:
'We have chosen events which we feel will appeal to competitors and envisage that the evenly spaced calendar and format of the rallies will provide a popular and closely fought championship.'
Initial feedback for the series has been encouraging and it is hoped that over 20 competitors will be signed up before the first round. With the help of sponsors, the series should be able to offer a substantial prize fund, with a valuable award for the champion at the end of the season.
- Galway International Rally - 1st to 3rd February 2008
- West Cork Rally - 17th & 18th March 2008
- Rally of the Lakes - 2nd to 5th May 2008
- Donegal International Rally - 13th to 15th June 2008
- Wexford Rally - 8th & 9th September 2008
- Cork 20 International Rally - 27th & 28th September 2008
Upcoming