Process of Evolution

The story behind the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge

While watching the Wyedean Rally back in February 2000, PR man Simon Slade had an idea. A year later it became a reality and now, six years further on, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge has become the most prestigious one-make rally series in the UK.

 “I remember spectating in the Forest of Dean seven years ago and it seemed like every other car was an Evo,” Slade says. “Having competed in the Peugeot Challenge and coordinated the Proton Coupé Cup I was familiar with the workings of one-make series’ and thought there had to be a way of getting all these Mitsubishi competitors together.”

With so many cars out there and Mitsubishi adding another digit to the Lancer Evolution designation after every two years, Slade decided to create a series for all homologated Group N Evos. This would then allow a variety of models and existing cars to enter, rather than specifying one type and insisting that teams purchase an official kit or a new car.

As it’s turned out, this concept has proved successful, since it means drivers can upgrade their cars as new versions come out and don’t have to stick to the same car year-on-year.

After meting with Peter Collinson of Coordsport and seeking technical advice in order to compile the regulations, Slade successfully attracted a number of sponsors and approached Mitsubishi Motors UK.

 “It is vitally important that a one-make series is backed by a manufacturer since it provides credibility and makes the whole thing official,” he says. “Of course, the association also has the potential to provide the extensive support needed to make a championship a success. I was therefore delighted when Mitsubishi UK agreed to get involved.”

With everything in place the Evolution Challenge kicked off in Bournemouth in February 2001, with the Rallye Sunseeker. Then, just two days later, rallying in the UK came to a standstill following the outbreak of foot and mouth. As it turned out, four rounds of the Evolution Challenge were held that year, with Leon Pesticcio emerging as the inaugural champion.

2002 saw more entries and more support for the series. Following all seven rounds of the National Rally Championship, Jeremy Easson went on to take the spoils. Having gained an even higher profile the Evo Challenge was now well and truly on the map.

Then in 2003 things moved on apace. Mitsubishi Motors UK agreed to provide full backing for the series and a fully funded works drive as the first prize, now regarded as the best prize in British motorsport. Initially, the award was for a season in the National Rally Championship, with 2003 Evo Challenge Champion Brendan Crealey fulfilling the role in 2004.

2003 also heralded the first time the series had moved away from the National Championship, when the Jim Clark Memorial Rally was included in the Calendar. This provided Evo competitors with a second all-asphalt event and served to raise the series’ profile even more by including a round of the British Championship.

In pursuit of the much sought-after new prize and with the interest generated from Crealey’s achievement, 2004 witnessed an amazing year for the Evo Challenge, with no less than 39 competitors registering for the first round. A host of top calibre drivers entered, a factor which made competition extremely fierce, the talented Irishman Rory Galligan eventually winning by just one point!

Galligan was subsequently awarded the works drive, which was now aligned with the British Rally Championship and he joined David Higgins for a two-car assault for the Production Class title.

2005 saw numbers in the Challenge dip slightly as the demographic trend in rallying declined. However, the series attracted yet another crop of fast and determined drivers and, after a calculated and consistent season, it was Ryan Champion who came out on top.

He grasped his opportunity with both hands and went on to win the first round of the British series, followed by the remaining two gravel rounds. However, it was perhaps ironic that some of his main competition came from Evo Challenge competitors, as the series had swapped to the BRC for 2006.

With the British Championship excluding WRC cars, Group N machinery was inevitably to run at the front of the field and, with series organisers wanting to ring the changes, moving away from the National Championship was the logical step to take.

Now running at top UK level, the Evo Challenge attracted some of the leading names in British rallying, with Gwyndaf Evans and Jonny Milner battling for the title all year. It was so close that it all came down to a tie-break on the final round, the dice rolling in favour of the Welshman by virtue of his win on the first round of the series.

2007 saw the Challenge back with the National Gravel (ANCRO) series and a surge in numbers, back to running with over 20 entries for the eight rounds. The man of the year was Phillip Morrow, the young Ulsterman trouncing the opposition by winning six of the eight rounds and, after eight years, winning the holy grail of a Mitsubishi works drive.

2008 witnessed one of the closest year’s yet in terms of out-and-out competition, with no less than ten of the 15 registered drivers ten drivers all on a similar pace and in with a chance of listing the title. As history will show, an ‘interesting’ year reached a climax on the final round when David Bogie did just enough to snatch the title from Nik Elsmore, both drivers ending their season on the same number of points but, having won the opening round, the youthful Scot claimed the honours on a tie-break ruling. 

For the first time in 2008, the Evolution Challenge spread its wings overseas, with a series starting in Sweden an Ireland, each following the successful tried and tested format from the UK. In true Evo Challenge fashion, both titles were decided on the final round, Andreas Magnusson winning in Sweden and Brendan Cumiskey doing the business in Ireland.

And so to 2009. The UK Championship features eight rounds, six with the MSA National Gravel Championship, plus two with the British Championship and includes six loose and two asphalt surface rallies. At the start of the season competitors will nominate seven events and count their best six scores.

May the best man win!

ENDS