Back to Barbados!

Sol Rally Barbados 2018 saw Ryan’s competitive return to the Caribbean island for the first time in nine years, an event he first competed on back in 2001.

Champion, a former official driver for the Mitsubishi Ralliart Team, drove the Lancer Evolution IX in Barbados which was originally built for his 2006 British Rally Championship campaign.

Driving the car on tarmac for the first time since that 2006 series, Ryan was quickly on the ‘Group A’ class pace and ended up just 10 seconds behind the class winning, current specification R5 Skoda Fabia at the end of the rally despite a time consuming puncture.

Champion commented “It was fantastic to compete in Barbados again, the atmosphere is just unique. My aim with the old Mitsubishi was a top 10 finish so I’m pleased we got 10th after the puncture. I think that was probably the best result we could expect with the car, although I was pleased to match the times of the lighter R5 cars. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to come back again next year!”