It’s back to business for Mitsubishi Team in Yorkshire

Next weekend will see the Mitsubishi Motors UK Works Rally Team get back to the business of competing for the British team’s and driver’s titles, when Guy Wilks and Gwyndaf Evans contest round five of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Rally Yorkshire on 27th September.

Following an up-and-down season so far, Mitsubishi finds itself third in the team’s standings, with Wilks also third in the driver’s table – Evans yet to make his mark in the top-ten, having only joined the team before the fourth round in Ulster. To get things back on track, Wilks admits that he is out to deliver a repeat performance of last year’s commanding victory:

“This is one of my favourite events – especially after winning it last year, so I’m looking the opportunity of another top result. Having had our frustrations in the three tarmac events this season it’s good to be back in the car and have an opportunity to put the records straight.”

For Evans, this will be his first gravel rally for the team since his come-back last month and, following an excellent outing which resulted in third place on the asphalt of Northern Ireland, he is looking forward to the gravel roads of the Yorkshire Moors:

“The Ulster rally was my first competitive outing for nine months and therefore, this weekend will be the first time in the forests this year. With this in mind it’s my aim to focus on a strong result, especially as this is a one-day event and there’s no room for mistakes.”

Team Principal and General Manager for Ralliart, Paul Brigden, is adamant that Mitsubishi’s goals are kept firmly in sight and therefore the team will be concentrating on getting back to the business of winning the championship:

“We will be putting all the distractions of the past few weeks to one side this weekend and getting on what we set out to do since the start of the season - and that’s to regain the British team’s and driver’s titles. To achieve this we need both cars to finish strongly and, following the performance of the same two drivers on this event last year, I am confident we can do it.”

Due to his ongoing back problems, Wilks’ regular co-driver Phil Pugh is still out of action and therefore David Moynihan, who has done a sterling job as stand-in since round two, will continue to alongside the reigning British Champ. Following their first rally together last-time out in Ulster, Evans will be again partnered by Paul Nagle.

Starting from the Agricultural Showground in Pickering at 8.30am on Saturday, the rally comprises 10 special stages, nine in the forests on the North Yorkshire Moors the other, a half-mile spectator affair around the showground. After covering a total competitive distance of 94 miles, the first car is scheduled to cross the finish line at 5.30pm.