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| MITSUBISHI TEAM SET FOR ANOTHER TOP PERFORMANCE |
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PRESS
INFORMATION
Following a stunning performance on the opening round of the 2007 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, last month’s Pirelli Rally, the Mitsubishi Motors UK Rally Team are eager to continue from where they left off – at the front of the field. With Guy Wilks winning his first ever rally with the works operation and team-mate Gwyndaf Evans holding a strong second place until clutch problems intervened, things looked good for a one-two victory last time out in Kielder Forest. However, with a change of surface to asphalt for round two, the team is well aware it cannot automatically expect a repeat performance. With this in mind, Wilks and Evans tested their works Lancer Evolution IXs on tarmac roads for the first time last Thursday, in order to familiarise themselves with the cars before this weekend’s event. Both drivers came away from the test extremely satisfied with the day’s work and delighted with the way their cars felt. During the test the team spent considerable time assessing the transmission in order to predict any further likely-hood of problems – an important consideration with asphalt providing greater grip levels and subsequently increased mechanical forces to that of gravel. The Jim Clark Rally is unique, as it is currently the only stage rally that’s competitive sections take place on closed public roads on the British mainland. With long straights and flowing corners, punctuated by slow junctions, the event requires maximum commitment and extreme concentration from the crews. These prerequisites become even more pertinent when it rains, as the Berwickshire lanes are notoriously treacherous when they’re wet. With his other motorsport programmes providing regular opportunities to get behind the wheel of a rally car, Wilks is raring to go and admits he’s really looking forward to driving the Mitsubishi again and carrying on from where he left off: “The works Mitsubishi is a great car – we proved that on round one, so if we can use what we learnt from then - and from the test last week, I’m confident we can be challenging for the lead again. I’m approaching this event as I did the Pirelli Rally, so I hope its going to be another case of being able to pull out an early advantage and letting the others play catch-up.” Wilks will be partnered by his regular co-driver Phil Pugh, who has recently been suffering from back problems, but has confirmed he is fit to compete in Jim Clark Rally. Evans was pleased to report that he has recovered from the bout of flu that plagued him during the Pirelli Rally and is keen to get back into the driving seat now he’s fully fit: “I’m hoping to be on the leading pace this weekend. I was pleased with the way the car performed on the test, especially with the big brakes and 18” wheels and if it’s stays dry, then I’m sure we’ll go well. But I know this event of old and if it’s wet the road surface becomes so unpredictable anything can happen. So let’s hope it doesn’t rain and we can really get the best out of the cars.” Evans will be co-driven by fellow Welshman Huw Lewis, who contested the Berwickshire-based event for the first time last year. The activity starts on Thursday evening with a shake-down test held in the grounds of Floors Castle near Kelso. The rally proper gets underway on Friday evening with two spectator stages which pass through the popular viewing point of Langton Ford. The action continues on Saturday with 10 stages and again on Sunday with a further six, before crews return to Kelso for the finish that afternoon. Besides leading the British Driver’s Championship, Mitsubishi also heads the Team’s standings, albeit currently tying on points - a situation they are keen to address this time out. The Cirencester-based Mitsubishi Motors UK rally team is supported by HKS, Pirelli, Sparco, Speedline Corse, PIAA, Ricardo and Performance Friction Brakes. The team’s two Lancer Evolution IXs are built and run on events by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield. Guy Wilks is supported by Mobil 1. Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship standings after round one
ENDS Notes for Editors
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In their first event for the Mitsubishi Motors UK Works Rally Team, Guy Wilks, together with his co-driver Phil Pugh, stormed to victory in round one of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. Their aim is to do it all again in this weekend’s round two, the Berwickshire-based Jim Clark Rally (copyright free image).
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For further information please contact:
Paul
Brigden, General Manager - Ralliart Mitsubishi
Motors UK Motorsport Press Officer
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Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship
