6/7/04/05 Roush Manx National Rally - Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge Round 3
CHAMPION THE WONDER-FORCE
Yorkshiremen Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley saw off the opposition in style with a superb debut victory in round three of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge which took place at the Roush Manx Rally this weekend.
Using the Evo 8 version, owned by Mike Altendorf and prepared by MSR Motorsport, Champion gave the established WRC drivers a run for their money throughout the event to end up in ninth position overall after 120 difficult miles around the Manx lanes.
Ryan set some stunning times in the wet and foggy conditions of the first evening and held fourth overall at one point in his production class machine. He held seventh overall overnight, with a minute lead in the Mitsubishi cateogory. Ryan continued his charge throughout Saturday to edge out championship rival Phillip Morrow by 50 seconds and in doing so moved into joint second place in the series.
�The conditions were so tricky on the first night but we managed to build up a bit of a lead. That allowed us to take it a little easier on the second day and just maintain a good gap back to Phillip in second. I�d like to thank Mike for the loan of the car and Mark Robson and the team also and hopefully we can now challenge for the title� said the 29 year old Castleton driver.
The next round takes place with the Mutiny National Rally based at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground at Builth Wells on Saturday 4th June.
1 Mark Higgins/Andy Richardson Ford Focus 1:38:46.2
2 Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza 1:42:42.8
3 Paul Bird/Ian Windress Ford Focus 1:43:14.7
4 Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry Subaru Impreza 1:43:24.5
5 Brendan Crealey/Steve Harris Ford Focus 1:45:10.9
6 Tony Davies/Jakes Kelly Subaru Impreza 1:45:37.2
7 Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield Ford Focus 1:46:25.7
8 Steve Fleck/Mark Aspinwall Subaru Impreza 1:46:31.2
9 Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley Mitsubishi Lancer 1:46:53.4
(1st Group N)
10 Phillip Morrow/Simon Morrow Mitsubishi Lancer 1:47:43.6
