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PHILLIP MORROW – PERSONAL PROFILE |
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PRESS
INFORMATION Born: 7th April 1983 Phillip’s introduction to motorised sport was on two rather than four wheels, when in 1996 at just 12-years of age he started competing in the Ulster Moto X Schoolboy Championship. In 1998 he contested the 125cc Semi-Expert Ulster Moto X series and became Champion in 1999. His first competitive outings on four wheels were in 2000, when he navigated for his older brother, Phillip still too young at that time to drive on the road. But with his 17th birthday during that year it was inevitable that he would finally get behind the wheel in 2001. Initially, the chosen mode of transport was a RWD Peugeot 205, in which he contested rounds of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, with the view of a full assault on his local series in 2002. After a string of impressive results, Phillip purchased a Peugeot 206 and immediately went out and won round one of the 206 Winter Cup, which progressed into a full season in the Peugeot Challenge in 2003. Phillip then considered his options for 2004 and, with the Evolution Challenge offering the chance to become a Mitsubishi works driver, he decided it was time to move into a four-wheel-drive car and he purchased an Evo VI for the season. After posting a series of excellent results, Phillip finished fourth in the Challenge and became National Junior Champion. After completing a four-day intensive ice and snow driving course in Norway, he embarked on a second season with the Mitsubishi championship, in which he won one round and finished third, having recorded the highest number of fastest stage times during 2005. At the end of the year, he was invited to test a Lancer WRC ‘05 for the Mitsubishi World Rally Team and was selected for the MSA Elite scheme, a carefully structured development programme for up-and-coming young British drivers and co-drivers. With help from his family, sponsors and a host of supporters, 2006 saw a change of car from his now battle-weary Evo VI to a brand new Evo IX. And, with the Mitsubishi series moving to the British Rally Championship, the season heralded a fresh challenge for Phillip. Having had to learn the car and the events brought with it a year of ups and downs. Even so, the season still saw four Evo Challenge podium results and fourth place in the final standings. Phillip also won the PIAA Junior Award, which featured a one-to-one test day with Alistair McRae. Knowing it was now or never, Phillip and his team put everything they had into the Evo Challenge for 2007. And their commitment paid off, with a record-breaking six wins out of seven events, Phillip’s domination of the series was impressive to say the least and enabled him to secure the title with one event still to go. However, the accolade of winning the Evolution Challenge is one thing, but the prize is another and Phillip now steps up to make the most of his holy grail reward – a works drive with the Mitsubishi Motors UK rally team in the 2008 British Rally Championship - an opportunity he richly deserves. ENDS |
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