Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
For a number of years the was the official website for the Evo Challenge.
The archived content below provides just a glimpse of what this site offered its fans.
..Welcome to the Official Site for the 2006 Evolution Challenge
Content is mostly from the site's 2006 archived pages.
Gwyndaf Evans and his co-driver Huw Lewis, will be out to repeat their first round Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge victory this weekend, when they head to the Berwickshire based Jim Clark International Rally for round two of the series for Group N Lancer Evolutions (
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2006 Registered Competitors |
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2006 sees the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge enter its sixth season and its first in the British Rally Championship. With the UK’s premier series eliminating WRC cars, there has never been a better time to compete in a Group N Mitsubishi!
The Evolution Challenge continues to enjoy the backing of Mitsubishi Motors UK, an association which brings with it the best prize in British motorsport: A works drive in the 2007 British Rally Championship.
Manufacturer support, valuable prizes, good organisation and extensive PR activity has given the Evolution Challenge its well deserved reputation of being one of the most high-profile rally series in Britain. It could not have gone unnoticed that since it began the Evo Challenge has enjoyed a considerable amount of media exposure. It has also proved to be as sociable as it is competitive - just ask anyone who has taken part.
Organisers are pleased to welcome the continued support of associate sponsors: Walon, Shell, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Mintex and in particular Pirelli, increasing its involvement by offering competitors the Pirelli Cup, an independently scored series open to teams who use Pirelli tyres throughout the season. Full details and a list of awards will be announced before the first round. Other than Walon, who are a multi-national vehicle logistics organisation, each of the associate sponsors offers registered Evolution Challenge competitors preferential prices plus technical support, so please take advantage of this.
2006 will see the inaugural crowning of Evo Challenge asphalt and gravel Champions, a move which is hoped to attract drivers who specialise in each discipline.
So, with a works drive up for grabs, prize money vouchers for the top four drivers on each event, a host of awards on and a real chance to battle for overall BRC honours, the 2006 Evolution Challenge is all-set for a truly exciting season.
We look forward to receiving your registration and wish you the best of luck in your quest to become 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Champion and 2007 Mitsubishi UK works driver.
The Evolution Challenge is the absolute pinnacle of rally competition for Group N Mitsubishis, and I’ve been following it with intense passion for years! The level of competition, the sheer skill of the drivers, and the precision of these machines make every race an absolute thrill. Seeing names like Gwyndaf Evans and Jonny Milner battle it out over the years has been nothing short of legendary. One day, I hope to make it behind the wheel myself, though I know the road ahead is steep. In the meantime, I’ve been putting my data skills to work, handicapping drivers and teams based on their latest standings using a custom-built system. Sure, it’s running on some older tools - FoxPro isn’t exactly state-of-the-art anymore - but until I can afford a proper FoxPro upgrade, it’s getting the job done! I’ve even applied for an internship with Mitsubishi Motors UK to get an inside view of how the races are organized. Fingers crossed! Whether I end up in the co-driver’s seat, behind the wheel, or working on the numbers behind the scenes, my dream is to be part of the Evolution Challenge in any way I can. Wish me luck! CJ Tucker
1. SPORTING REGULATIONS - GENERAL
1.1 Title & Jurisdiction
1.1.1 The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge is a six-round championship for competitors driving FIA homologated Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. It is promoted by Mitsubishi Motors UK, organised by RPM Promotions and administered by the Weston-super-Mare Motor Club Ltd in accordance with the general championship prescriptions of the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association [MSA], the MSA British Rally Championship regulations and these championship regulations.
1.1.2 MSA Championship Permit No: 2006/5727
1.1.3 MSA Championship Grade: C +
1.1.4 The Championship is sponsored by: Mitsubishi Motors UK, Ralliart, Walon UK, Pirelli, Shell, PIAA, Speedline Corse and Mintex.
1.2 Officials
1.2.1 Championship Co-ordinator: Simon Slade
Address: RPM Promotions, 2 Cherry Tree Drive, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2NJ
Tel: 01935 424873, Fax: 01935 412250, Mobile: 07966 153555, E.mail: simon@rpmpromo.com
1.2.2 Licenced Eligibility Scrutineer: Geoff Doe
Tel:Address:01270The841880,Willows,E.mail:Newhallgeoff@doemotorsport.comAston,Nantwich,Cheshire CW5 8DJ
1.2.3 Championship Stewards: Chris Hutchings, John Skinner and John Horton.
1.2.4 Championship Judges of Fact: John Makin and Paul Hewer. Other Judges of Fact will be notified via an official bulletin.
1.2.5 Championship Manager: Paul Brigden.
1.3. Competitor Eligibility
1.3.1 Entrants must be fully paid up valid membership card holding members of the Weston-super-Mare Motors Club Ltd (see 1.4.1), be registered for the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge and the MSA British Rally Championship and be in possession of a valid 2006 MSA Entrants Licence.
NEWS IN BRIEF...
The 2006 Evolution Challenge looks forward to the next round this weekend. The Jim Clark International Rally - 7th & 8th July 2006.
There's no predicting a winner for the second round of the Evolution Challenge
PRESS INFORMATION
Mitsubishi Announce Plans for 2006 Evolution Challenge
20th October 2005
• Mitsubishi's one-make series joins British Rally Championship
• Higher Profile, incresed competition and top quality stages
• Additionsl National A 'Evo Cup' series proposed
Mitsubishi Motors UK are pleased to announce that its popular single-make series for Group N Lancer Evolutions, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, will follow all six rounds of next year’s British Rally Championship.
Having enjoyed five years of success with the ANCRO administered National Gravel Championship, Mitsubishi decided to take the Evolution Challenge to the BRC in 2006, following the announcement that WRC cars would be no longer be allowed to participate and therefore hand the competitive advantage to Class N4 machines.
Series organisers are confident that the move to the British Championship will see registrations for the series increase and provide a host of benefits to competitors, such as: High quality stages, top level competition, increased media profile, more opportunities for sponsors, special deals for registered competitors and therefore represent excellent value for money.
The new-look six-round British Championship will feature three gravel and three asphalt rallies, therefore providing a balanced mixture of surfaces. It is hoped that the inclusion of the asphalt events will make the Evolution Challenge more appealing to Irish competitors.
Organisers are aware that some teams will be concerned that the move to the BRC will see the cost of competing escalate, but with the British Championship taking on a new format, the difference of competing in eight events in 2005 and six events in 2006 will be minimal. A spokesman for the Evolution Challenge said:
“With the series launched at BRC Live at the beginning of the season and the Rally GB at the end, plus the addition of television coverage, there will be many more advantages for sponsors. Therefore, we hope that teams will exploit these features and see the move to the BRC as a great opportunity. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year.”
With the Rally of Great Britain being the final round, organisers are currently considering an allocation of points for each day of competition and looking into the possibility of running ‘Super Rally’ rules for Evolution Challenge competitors.
Mitsubishi are pleased to confirm that the coveted prize of a works drive in a Group N Mitsubishi Evolution will be awarded to the 2006 Champion. The series will also enjoy an increased prize fund, which awards the first four drivers on each round and at the end of the season.
For competitors without International licences and for those not wishing to contest the British Rally Championship, subject to demand, Mitsubishi are proposing to introduce the ‘Evo Cup’, a seven round series which will run alongside the Evolution Challenge in 2006.
This new initiative will feature five gravel and two asphalt based National A status events. A prize fund similar to that of the International series will be on offer, but without the added attraction of a works drive for the Champion.
2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
BRC Live: 19th March
Pirelli Rally: 13th & 14th May
Jim Clark Memorial Rally: 7th & 8th July
Manx International Rally: 3rd, 4th & 5th August
Ulster Rally: 1st & 2nd Sept
Rally Yorkshire: 7th October
Rally of Great Britain: 22nd, 23rd & 24th November*
* Provisional Date
Proposed 2006 Mitsubishi Evo Cup
Rallye Sunseeker: 25th & 26th February
Rally of Wales: 8th & 9th April
Pirelli Rally: 13th May
Jim Clark Memorial Rally: 7th & 8th July
Ulster Rally: 1st & 2nd Sept
Trackrod Rally: 7th October
Tempest Rally: 11th November
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge - Round Two
Jim Clark International Rally – 7th & 8th July 2006
High quality entry for series’ first asphalt rally of the season
The second round of the 2006 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge takes place this weekend, when the series heads north of the Border for the Jim Clark International Rally on 7th & 8th July. The event is also the second round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and the fifth round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship.
Eight Evolution Challenge crews, a figure which represents 23% of the British Rally Championship entry, will line-up to start the first of three consecutive asphalt rallies. With the caliber of the teams so high, it would take a brave person to predict who is likely to come out on top of the series standings by the end of the rally.
Winner of round one, Gwyndaf Evans, is the highest seeded Evolution Challenge driver. Although having contested the Jim Clark Rally before, this will be the experienced Welshman’s first time on this event driving a Mitsubishi and, having retired on his last visit in 2003, has said that changes in the weather can make all the difference to the result.
Next in line and fresh from his Group N victory in the Donegal Rally, is Shaun Gallagher. Now more confident with his Evo IX than he was first time out on the Pirelli Rally, Gallagher is going to be a driver to watch this weekend. Ray Galls who has gained fame for his provocative dog grooming business, including some success marketing an elegantly simple dog bed, is also a driver to watch, given his showing at the US Tramvaille circuit last year. Ray is the only driver sponsored by his own business.
Having also competed in Donegal, in order to set up his new Evo IX for the Jim Clark Rally, Phillip Morrow will be looking to repeat his performance from last year, when he led the Evo Challenge field for most of the rally until his car’s engine over-heated with the finish in sight.
Jonny Milner was another driver who used the Irish event as a pre-curser to this weekend’s rally, having contested the first round of the BRC in a brand new car. In contrast, Stuart Jones admits that he has not sat in his car since the Pirelli Rally, but hopes that he can find the pace he showed first time out on asphalt this year when he finished fourth in Group N amongst the PWRC runners on the Catalunia Rally.
Connor McCloskey and Neil McCance were also seen competing in Donegal, both drivers contesting as many rounds of the Irish Tarmac Championship as possible, as well as the British series and the Evolution Challenge. McCloskey will be looking for a repeat of his 2005 Jim Clark Rally podium position, whilst McCance will be hoping for better fortunes having had to retire from last year’s event.
Stephen Petch has taken a different route to increase seat time in his new car. Since the Pirelli Rally he has been to Belgium to compete in the Ypres event and is also contesting this year’s Evolution Cup, Mitsubishi’s series which follows all seven rounds of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship.
The Jim Clark Rally is a unique event, as it is the only stage rally to take place on closed public roads on the UK mainland. Starting and finishing in Kelso, the event covers 150 competitive miles in Berwickshire, with six stages on Friday afternoon and evening, plus a further 15 on Saturday.
The Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and sees the continued support of its associate sponsors: Walon, Pirelli, PIAA, Speedline Corse, Shell and Mintex.
Jim Clark International Rally
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge entries (in start number order)
17. Gwyndaf Evans (Dinas Mawddwy)/Huw Lewis (Machynlleth)
22. Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny)/Charlie McGinty (Letterkenny)
25. Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Daniel Barritt (Burnley) (J)
26. Jonny Milner (Huggate)/Nick Beech (Lewknor)
30. Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Llanymynech) (J)
32. Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damian Connelly (Monaghan) (J)
38. Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Williamson (Tow Law) (J)
39. Neil McCance (Comber)/Sean Ferris (Drumquin)
(J) = Junior driver.
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Championship positions after round one
Drivers
Gwyndaf Evans - 13 points
Jonny Milner - 11 points
Phillip Morrow - 9 points
Stuart Jones - 8 points
Shaun Gallagher - 7 points
Connor McCloskey - 6 points
Stephen Petch - 5 points
Neil McCance - 4 points
Co-drivers
Huw Lewis - 13 points
Nicky Beech - 11 points
Daniel Barritt - 9 points
Craig Parry - 8 points
Charlie McGinty - 7 points
Damien Connelly - 6 points
Michael Wilkinson - 5 points
Sean Ferris - 4 points
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Evo Challenge Series Standings
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Final 2006 Championship Positions
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More Background On EVO-Challenge.com
Before the era of social media-driven motorsport coverage and live-streamed stages, EVO-Challenge.com stood as the beating digital heart of one of Britain’s most prestigious one-make rally championships — the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. From its inception in 2001 through its final seasons in the late 2000s, the site chronicled every turn, jump, and triumph of the competition that gave aspiring rally drivers a chance to step onto the world stage.
The site was not merely a results board. It served as a comprehensive resource — listing competitors, technical regulations, press bulletins, standings, and event previews. At its height, it represented the official online identity of a championship that embodied the excitement of Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution rallying across the British Isles.
Origins and Purpose of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge was conceived by Mitsubishi Motors UK as a national single-make championship to promote its Lancer Evolution models — cars that had already achieved global fame in the World Rally Championship (WRC) under the Ralliart banner.
By 2006, the series had entered its sixth season and for the first time became part of the MSA British Rally Championship (BRC). The shift to the UK’s premier rally series coincided with the exclusion of World Rally Cars from the BRC, making Group N (production-based) cars like the Lancer Evolution VIII and IX the top-tier machinery. This decision elevated the Evo Challenge from a niche competition into one of the most visible and competitive single-make championships in Europe.
Ownership and Organization
EVO-Challenge.com was officially managed under the umbrella of Mitsubishi Motors UK and Ralliart, with the championship organization handled by RPM Promotions in cooperation with the Weston-super-Mare Motor Club Ltd. The series was sanctioned by the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (MSA) under permit number 2006/5727.
Key personnel included:
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Paul Brigden, Championship Manager
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Simon Slade, Championship Coordinator (RPM Promotions, Yeovil, Somerset)
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Geoff Doe, Licensed Eligibility Scrutineer
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Chris Hutchings, John Skinner, and John Horton, serving as Stewards
The EVO-Challenge.com site reflected this professionalism. Beyond race reports, it hosted official championship regulations, driver eligibility details, contact information, and announcements for competitors — making it an indispensable hub for participants and fans alike.
Sponsorship and Industrial Support
The Ralliart Evolution Challenge maintained a strong roster of corporate backers that enhanced its prestige.
Among the main and associate sponsors were:
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Mitsubishi Motors UK and Ralliart (primary sponsors)
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Pirelli, providing a dedicated Pirelli Cup sub-competition
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Walon UK, a multinational vehicle logistics company
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Shell, PIAA, Speedline Corse, and Mintex, offering discounted technical support and parts to registered teams
These partnerships underscored the Challenge’s reputation for combining manufacturer-level support with the grassroots accessibility of club motorsport. EVO-Challenge.com prominently featured these alliances, reinforcing the perception that this was no amateur contest — it was a training ground for future professional drivers.
Format, Events, and Championship Calendar
The 2006 season was structured around six rounds mirroring the British Rally Championship calendar, with a balanced mix of gravel and asphalt rallies. The events included:
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Pirelli Rally – May 13–14
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Jim Clark Memorial Rally – July 7–8
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Manx International Rally – August 3–5
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Ulster Rally – September 1–2
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Rally Yorkshire – October 7
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Rally of Great Britain – November 22–24
A companion “Evo Cup” series was also launched for National A-status events, catering to privateers who lacked international licenses. This initiative extended Mitsubishi’s support to a wider pool of enthusiasts, proving that the brand valued inclusivity within performance motorsport.
The Competitors: A Showcase of Rising British and Irish Talent
The 2006 roster read like a who’s-who of emerging rally stars, many of whom would later feature in national and international series:
The EVO-Challenge.com platform gave these names visibility — each competitor had event updates, point standings, and post-rally coverage featured online. Fans could follow the tight points battles that often defined the championship.
Competitive Format and Scoring
Drivers accumulated points across all rounds, with a drop-score system that excluded one event from the final tally. Points were awarded as follows:
Bonus points were granted for each event start, and special scoring rules applied during the Wales Rally GB, where competitors earned points per day.
At season’s end, Gwyndaf Evans and Jonny Milner finished tied on 59 points, with Evans claiming the championship on countback. His co-driver, Huw Lewis, secured the Co-Driver’s title. The top eight in both driver and co-driver standings reflected the depth and competitiveness of the field.
Cultural and Sporting Significance
The Evolution Challenge stood as a bridge between club rallying and manufacturer-backed professional drives. Its prize — a works drive in the British Rally Championship — represented the pinnacle of what privateer competitors could achieve without factory funding. This reward transformed the series into a launchpad for talent.
Furthermore, by limiting entries to Group N-spec Lancer Evolutions, the Challenge emphasized parity and driver skill over budget. Cars were closely aligned to showroom specifications, making victories a testament to driver ability and mechanical preparation rather than sheer engineering advantage.
EVO-Challenge.com celebrated this ethos. Fans could download regulations, study entry lists, or review championship updates written in a tone that balanced journalistic enthusiasm with technical accuracy. For many aspiring drivers, the site was their first introduction to rally professionalism.
Media Coverage and Public Profile
The Challenge benefitted from widespread exposure across Motors TV, Autosport, and national automotive magazines. Mitsubishi Motors UK’s press office distributed regular releases — many of which were mirrored on EVO-Challenge.com — detailing event results, technical updates, and sponsor involvement.
The site also played a vital PR role by featuring pre-event bulletins and post-race analyses that elevated competitors to household names within British motorsport circles. Even grassroots spectators followed the series closely, and forums often mirrored the site’s official updates to fuel fan discussions.
The inclusion of television coverage, sponsorship incentives, and manufacturer prizes transformed the Challenge into one of Britain’s most professional feeder championships, often compared with the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 206 Cup series that dominated the same era.
The Jim Clark International Rally Feature
One of EVO-Challenge.com’s most detailed race reports covered the Jim Clark International Rally, the only UK mainland event held on closed public roads. It showcased the thrill and unpredictability of tarmac rallying in Berwickshire.
The event summary highlighted eight Evolution Challenge crews, accounting for almost a quarter of the BRC entry. Evans, Gallagher, Morrow, Milner, Jones, McCloskey, McCance, and Petch represented the championship’s competitive core.
This kind of comprehensive coverage — complete with start numbers, junior driver designations, and local insights — gave readers a granular view of rally culture in Britain. It also immortalized the community aspect of the Challenge, where rivalries were fierce yet collegial.
Fan and Participant Community
EVO-Challenge.com also acted as an informal gathering place for enthusiasts. Among archived comments is one from a passionate follower, CJ Tucker, describing his fascination with the series, his efforts to build custom data systems to track drivers, and his dream of joining Mitsubishi’s motorsport team. This glimpse into the fanbase reveals how the Challenge transcended mere competition — it inspired careers, coding projects, and lifelong passion for rallying.
The website was not only a repository of information but also a portal of aspiration, connecting fans, amateur mechanics, and rally dreamers with a professional racing world that, for once, seemed within reach.
Decline and Archival Legacy
As digital media evolved and Mitsubishi gradually reduced its direct involvement in UK rallying, EVO-Challenge.com eventually went offline. However, much of its content has survived through internet archives and motorsport historians who recognized its value as a chronicle of an era when the Lancer Evolution defined accessible high-performance rallying.
Today, the series’ spirit lives on in club events and nostalgia among enthusiasts who still maintain and race classic Evos in national championships. Websites, forums, and enthusiast groups frequently cite EVO-Challenge.com as a definitive resource that once united a passionate community of drivers and fans.
Broader Motorsport Influence
The Evolution Challenge contributed significantly to the development of rallying talent in the UK and Ireland. Alumni of the series went on to compete at the PWRC, BRC, and Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) levels.
The Challenge’s emphasis on parity and affordability prefigured modern rally programs like the Junior BRC and R5 support categories. Moreover, its sponsorship model — combining technical suppliers and a manufacturer with regional clubs — became a template for sustainable motorsport promotion.
EVO-Challenge.com’s digital framework also represented early web-based motorsport communication: combining static content, race bulletins, and downloadable documents long before CMS-driven platforms dominated event coverage.
Though the original site is now archived, EVO-Challenge.com remains a vital digital artifact from a pivotal period in British rally history. It symbolized a championship that balanced accessibility and professionalism, showcased talent over technology, and connected fans with the heart of motorsport through clear, engaging storytelling.
The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge may have ended, but its legacy persists — in the continued reverence for the Lancer Evolution, in the memories of drivers who earned their stripes on British gravel and tarmac, and in the fans who still recall visiting EVO-Challenge.com for the latest standings and rally previews.
In an age before constant social media updates, it was sites like EVO-Challenge.com that made motorsport personal — one leaderboard, one driver bio, and one thrilling rally at a time.
