Flying Finish For Read

Driving the Mitsubishi Motors UK supported Shogun Warrior DI-D, Colin Read ended his season in the Goodyear MSA British Off Road Championship with another dominant performance in the Standard Production Class, in this weekend’s final round at Driffield.

This fifth victory in five events sees Read and his co-driver Chris Eade, both from Great Bedwyn, near Marlborough in Wiltshire, record a 100% success record in the category for near standard specification vehicles.

Having already been crowned Production Champions following the previous event there was no pressure to score points for the class this weekend and with this in mind the Mitsubishi pair aimed to do their utmost to end the year as high as they possibly could in the overall Championship standings.

This weekend’s North Yorkshire based event took place on a military proving ground, organisers setting out a 5.5 mile course run seven times on both Saturday and Sunday. The stage included a number of fast sections over flat ground and a series of highly technical ascents, decents and spectacular jumps. Real Shogun territory.

Read was on the pace right from the start, immediately assuming his familiar position at the head of the Production Category field and setting an opening stage time good enough to see him in fourth pace overall.

In his determination to do well on the first test Read hit one of the course’s many jumps a little too enthusiastically, launching his car into the air and almost landing it on its nose. But the Shogun dealt with the situation admirably and although the touch-down removed the front bumper, no time was lost.

Read drove hard throughout the first day, but try as he might, he could not catch the three competitors in front of him; each one of them driving highly modified and powerful machines specially built for off road competition.

Sunday’s runs were a repeat of Saturday’s and Read continued to drive at the same unrelenting pace, ready to pounce on a podium position if any of the leading trio was to falter.

But it was not to be and after another impressive all round performance Read and Eade concluded what has been a highly successful year for the Mitsubishi team, claiming fourth place overall in this weekend’s event and fourth place overall in the Championship.

"This is a great way to end the season", commented a more than satisfied Read at the finish. "I have thoroughly enjoyed driving the Shogun this weekend and, as we have done all year, showed just what can be achieved in an almost a standard specification vehicle up against specialist, purpose built machinery. I cannot praise the car enough."

General Manager for Ralliart, Paul Brigden said:

"I congratulate Colin and Chris for what has been a great season for the team. To win the Class on every round and finish fourth overall in the Championship is an excellent performance. We could not have asked for more."

Based on the latest version of the company’s acclaimed short-wheel-base 3.2 litre turbo diesel engined model, the works Mitsubishi Motors UK Shogun Warrior is the sole manufacturer supported entry in the British Off Road Championship.

The campaign is supported by: Mitsubishi Motors UK, PIAA, Speedline Corse Wheels, Shell Racing Fuels, Owen Developments and Helix Autosport.