Evolution Challenge Gets Set For Great Year Ahead
Published: 17th February 2003
The additional support from MMUK provides the official series for Group N Lancer Evolutions with; an increased prize fund, technical back-up from Ralliart Europe, a greater on-event presence and an even higher profile.
Already the Challenge has attracted over 20 entries and organisers are predicting up to 30 crews will be signed-up by the time the series reaches its second round in April.
Open to all homologated versions of Mitsubishi¹s Production class winner, the Challenge will once again follow the Kumho National Rally Championship, but for the first time this year organisers are introducing a round of the British Championship; the Jim Clark Memorial Rally in July.
This additional round slots neatly into a mid season gap in the National Championship calendar and provides a second all-asphalt event, a move which is destined to appeal to Evo competitors who have a preference for tarmac.
Drivers to watch on this season¹s opener will be Kevin Stevens, the Midlander showing impressive pace in 2002 and winning on two occasions.
Nothumberland¹s Mark I¹Anson finished second in 2002 who, along with third placed Anthony Wilmington from Dorchester, will be joining the fray once again. The latter looking to use local knowledge to his advantage on the Rallye Sunseeker.
Notable by his absence is last year¹s Champion, Jeremy Easson. Having sold his car to Poole driver, Mark Worley, Easson is considering his return to the Challenge later in the year.
