Mitsubishi Motors UK Rally Team is set to get its season back
on track when its drivers Guy Wilks and Phillip Morrow return
to action for round three of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally
Championship, the Rally Isle of Man, which takes place on 17th,
18th & 19th July.
Following a disappointing result
in round two, the Jim Clark Rally, when Wilks’ car caught
fire and Morrow was side-lined following an early accident, the
Mitsubishi team are eager to put the record straight and get back
to their winning ways. Taking into account last year’s visit
to the Isle of Man, when the two works Lancers finished first
and second, their aspirations are more than realistic.
The upshot of the last outing
resulted in Wilks’ car being a complete write-off and therefore,
he will appear this weekend in his 2007 British Championship winning
Evolution IX which has now been upgraded to this year’s
specification. Morrow’s car has been repaired and last week
both drivers successfully tested their re-fettled Mitsubishis
in Wales.
Eager to put his and the team’s
season back on target, an upbeat Wilks said: “We now need
to pull out all the stops to get back to where we should be in
the championship and it would be great to repeat last year’s
success on the island. However, the pressure is on, so whilst
we’ve got to push hard, it’s also important to ensure
we end up with a strong finish.”
Morrow is also keen to get back
in action: “I really want to get out there and do a good
job for the team - and for my own confidence as well. The Isle
of Man is a notoriously difficult rally, so I am going to approach
it with that in mind and, if things feel right, then I’ll
start to up the pace.”
Mitsubishi UK Motorsport boss
and Ralliart General Manager Paul Brigden, is looking forward
to his team being back in action: “The best way to put challenging
times behind you is to go out there and do well. Our target this
weekend is to get both cars to the finish in strong positions
and, by doing so, we can reignite our bid to retain the team’s
and drivers titles.”
The Rally Isle of Man gets underway
from the Douglas TT Grandstand on Thursday evening with four stages
before the first overnight halt. Friday sees another 12 stages
and Saturday a further seven before the finish back at the grandstand.
The route features a total competitive distance of 182 miles,
which makes the Rally Isle of Man the longest asphalt event -
and one of the consequently the toughest rounds - in the British
Championship Calendar.
Due to Wilks’ regular
co-driver Phil Pugh currently suffering from back problems, David
Moynihan from Mallow, Co. Cork, has been drafted in. Morrow continues
to be partnered by Daniel Barritt.
The two works Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution IXs are built by Chesterfield-based ADR Motorsport,
who also provide the all-important on-event technical support.
The team is sponsored by Lovell
Group and Virgin Money, together with its technical partners:
HKS, Sparco, Speedline Corse, PIAA, Ricardo, and Performance Friction
Brakes.
ENDS
Notes for
Editors
Guy Wilks is 27 and lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.
Phil Pugh 36 is and lives in Tywyn, Gwynedd.
Phillip Morrow is 24 and lives in Lisburn.
Daniel Barritt is 27 and lives in Burnley.
Photo Caption
The Mitsubishi UK Works Rally Team is back in action this weekend
for round three of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship,
the Rally Isle of Man, when drivers Guy Wilks (left) and Phillip
Morrow will aim to repeat the team’s dominant result of
last year, when its cars finished first and second (copyright
free images). |