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Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship - Round Five Preview

International Rally Yorkshire - 6th October 2007

Team focuses on strong two-car finish

Drivers boosted by pre-event test

Championship switches back to gravel surface following three asphalt rallies

The Mitsubishi Motors UK Works Rally Team will resume it's challenge for both the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship team's and driver's titles this weekend, when its two Lancer Evolution IXs driven by Guy Wilks and Gwyndaf Evans compete in round five, the International Rally Yorkshire.

After posting another front-running performance last time out on the tarmac roads of the Ulster Rally, the eventual outcome of a second place for Evans and retirement for Wilks means that the team is targeting a strong two-car finish this time round, in order to keep its championship aspirations firmly on track.

Having set more fastest stage times than all of the other competitors put together so far this year, there is no doubt that the two Works Mitsubishi's are the best performing cars out there - and that Wilks and Evans are more than capable of achieving the results - as proved in round three on the Isle of Man when they finished in first and second places.

With the championship now returning to forestry roads for the first time since round one in April, which was won by Wilks, the team has recently carried out a two-day test to ensure both cars and drivers are up to speed on gravel.

"We were very pleased with the performance of our cars during the test", said General Manager for Ralliart and team boss Paul Brigden. "We are now concentrating on ensuring they are as reliable as possible, which I am confident will result in us posting a strong finish - which is exactly what we need at this critical point in the season."

The forests of the North Yorkshire Moors are renowned for their long straights and flat-out bends, many of the roads following an almost direct line along the contours of the infamous 'Rigs'. The team therefore hopes that the high speeds will suit the Works Mitsubishis.

Following the recent test Evans said: "I am looking forward to this event as previous stage times have shown that we should have the speed that's needed to do well in these forests. Although rallying is difficult to predict, having had two-days testing I'm very comfortable with the car and we go to the event with it all to play for."

Having covered well over 100 miles, Wilks was also pleased with the outcome of the test and is now focussed on achieving the best result he can for the team:

"With my WRC campaign winding down this year I'm now 100% set on the British Championship. I like this event and after our test have confidence that we have the speed and the right set-up for the Yorkshire stages. It's good to be competing in a car that I know can win the event outright."

The International Rally Yorkshire features 100 competitive miles split into 11 timed special stages. It starts on Saturday ay 9.15 from Pickering Showground, where it returns at lunch-time for a half-mile spectator stage and a main service halt, with the finish scheduled for 6.00pm that evening.

Both drivers will be accompanied by their regular co-drivers: Wilks partnered by Phil Pugh and Evans by Huw Lewis.

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 four

ENDS

Notes for Editors
Guy Wilks is 26 and lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.
Phil Pugh 36 is and lives in Tywyn, Gwynedd.
Gwyndaf Evans is 48 and lives in Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd.
Huw Lewis is 50 and lives in Machynlleth. Gwynedd.

For further information please contact:

Mitsubishi Motors UK Press Office:
n.reglar@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Tel: 01285 647200

Paul Brigden, General Manager - Ralliart
p.brigden@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Tel: 01285 647680

Mitsubishi Motors UK Motorsport Press Officer
Simon Slade, RPM Promotions
simon@rpmpromo.com
Tel: 01935 424873
Mob: 07966 153555