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| MITSUBISHI TEAM PREPARES FOR ISLAND ENCOUNTER |
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PRESS
INFORMATION
The Mitsubishi Motors UK Rally Team will be back in action next week for round three of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Rally Isle of Man, which takes place on 19th – 21st July. After proving that its cars are currently the quickest in the British Championship by setting more fastest stage times than all of the other teams put together, the Mitsubishi team is eager to post a good result with both of its Lancer Evolution IXs on the Isle of Man. Guy Wilks and his co-driver Phil Pugh could not have got off to a better start this season when they won the opening round – April’s Pirelli Rally. A month later, after leading round two - the Jim Clark Rally - for over half of the event, inconsistent weather conditions caught them out and they went off the road. Although they still recorded a strong fourth-place finish, their re-start under SupeRally regulations meant only one point scored in the driver’s championship. Team mates Gwyndaf Evans and Huw Lewis have also headed the field during the first two rounds, but transmission issues have not allowed them the finishes they have deserved. Both drivers have recently tested their Mitsubishis and each has been pleased with the set-up achieved in readiness for the demanding Manx roads. Following his test Wilks said: “Gwyndaf had been testing the week before me, so the car was already set-up very well when I drove it. I really enjoy the stages on the Isle of Man and know most of them fairly well, but this will be the first time I have competed there in anything other than a front-wheel-drive car – but I won’t let that slow me down, that’s for sure.” With unpredictable weather conditions a hallmark of the island, both Wilks and Evans are aware that having the right tyres at the right time plays a major part in the final outcome. However, Evans had the opportunity of testing in wet conditions last week which, added to his extensive experience of Manx rallies, he has an excellent chance of getting his title hopes back on track this time round: “After the test I feel more comfortable with the car than I ever have. I’m now not worried about what the weather chooses to do, it’s just about making sure the car copes well with the island’s bumpy roads. I really hope my luck changes for this event and I can have an untroubled run, for both my sake and the team’s.” Having not scored as highly as they would have liked in the British Team’s Championship last time out, Mitsubishi are aware that it has to get both it’s cars home in high points scoring positions next week, as General Manager for Ralliart Paul Brigden explains: “For Mitsubishi the Team’s Championship is just as important as the Driver’s championship is to Guy and Gwyndaf. Therefore, we need a solid performance on the Isle of Man to bring us back on track for both titles - and I know we can do it as our cars have consistently proved they can our perform the others.” The Rally Isle of Man kicks off on Wednesday (18th) with a shake-down stage. The rally itself commences on Thursday evening with four stages, followed by another 11 on Friday and seven on Saturday, the total of which provides a competitive distance of 168 miles over the island’s closed public roads. 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 two
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For further information please contact:
Paul
Brigden, General Manager - Ralliart Mitsubishi
Motors UK Motorsport Press Officer
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