MMUK Ulster Rally preview
The Mitsubishi Motors UK works rally team heads to this weekend’s Todds Lead Ulster International Rally, round four of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, with a two-car team comprising Guy Wilks/David Moynihan and Gwyndaf Evans/Paul Nagle.
With a first and a second place under his belt from the first three rounds, 2007 British Champion Wilks currently lies fourth in the driver’s standings and will be out to get the defence of his title back on track on the Ulster asphalt.
Wilks said: “I’m looking forward to being back in the Mitsubishi and getting on with the job that needs to be done this weekend.
"Last year on this event I only had the chance of a few good stages, so there’s a score to settle here.
"I have to admit that I’m aiming for nothing less than a win, which can only be good for the team and my title hopes.”
Evans has been drafted back into the MMUK squad after the team released Phillip Morrow and his co-driver Daniel Barritt from their contracts.
Ralliart General Manager and Team Principal Paul Brigden said: “The most important task for us this year is to retain its British Team’s title for Mitsubishi Motors and, to do this, we now need to finish first and third on average for the rest of the season.
"However, rallying is a sport rather than a science - as we have seen recently - so nothing is guaranteed, but I believe we have a good possibility of achieving our target.”
Evans said: “It is always a privilege to drive for a manufacturer, so I was delighted to be asked.
"I realise that I have a job to do for the team and I will give it my best shot, especially as the Ulster Rally is one of my favourite events."
Wilks’ regular co-driver Phil Pugh is still out of action due to a recurring back problem, which means that Irishman David Moynihan continues alongside the Brit.
Evans will also be partnered by an Irishman on this event, the highly-experienced Paul Nagle accompanying the Welshman for the first time.
The rally, which is based in Armagh, starts on Friday evening and features six timed special stages before the overnight halt, followed by a further ten on Saturday, the total of which provides a competitive distance 134 miles.
The team’s two Lancer Evolution IXs are built by Chesterfield-based ADR Motorsport, who also provide the 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.
BRC Driver's Standings (after three rounds):
1 David Higgins 48
2 Mark Higgins 40
3 James Wozencroft 39
4 Guy Wilks 38
5 Jonathan Greer 37
6 Stuart Jones 31
7 Wyn Humphreys 23
8 Darren Gass 19
9= Dale Robertson 18
9= David Meredith 18
9= Juho Hanninen 18
Teams
1 Atlas TEG Sport 97
2 Team TQ.com 92
3 Mitsubishi Motors UK 78
4 Revolution Wheels 67