Evo Challenge confirms prize for 2008 and announces plans for 2009

Organisers of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge are delighted to confirm that 2008 Champion David Bogie will receive a full season’s drive in this year’s British Rally Championship. The award is jointly supported by Mitsubishi Motors UK, JR Motorsports and other sponsors.

The young Scot will drive a brand new Group N Lancer Evolution X built by JR Motorsports (formally ADR Motorsport), the team that prepared and ran the works cars for Mitsubishi UK since 2004. On hearing the news of his award Bogie said:

“I’m absolutely over the moon. Although the decision was a long-time coming, as it’s turned-out it was well worth waiting for. Competing in the British Championship in a new Evo X is a really exciting prospect and a great opportunity. It’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

The confirmation of this award comes a week after the announcement that the Mitsubishi UK works team would not be competing this year and ends speculation as to the extent of the prize for winning the 2008 Evolution Challenge.

Following on from this, Mitsubishi UK has confirmed that the prize for winning the 2009 Championship will be a brand new Lancer Evolution X RS, which can also be redeemed towards a similar award to that of David Bogie’s. Further adding to the Evo Challenge prize fund, MMUK will be awarding prize-money vouchers, Pirelli tyres and other awards on each round and at the end of the season.

“I am delighted that we are now able to announce the awards for both 2008 and 2009”, said Evo Challenge Coordinator Simon Slade. “I am also pleased to confirm that the Evolution Challenge will continue for its ninth consecutive season and still offer some of the best prizes available in UK rallying.”

This year’s Evolution Challenge calendar will feature eight rounds, six with the MSA National Gravel Championship, plus two with the British Championship. It includes six loose and two asphalt surface rallies. Competitors will nominate seven events and count their best six scores.