Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland Round 5 Preview ALMC Stages Rally – 18th July 2010 Evolution Challenge crews top Group N entry. Neil McCance aiming to continue winning streak. Brendan Cumiskey hoping for better fortunes. Sam Moffett looking for first Mitsubishi series victory.
..14th July 2010

After just three weeks since round four, the fifth round of this year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland heads to the centre of the country for the Gormanston-based ALMC Stages Rally, which takes place this Sunday 18th July.

Not only winning the previous two Evolution Challenge rounds, current series leader Neil McCance, with co-driver Jonny Hart, also won both events outright. However, whilst this weekend’s rally follows a similar Irish tarmac, one-day format of three stages ran three times, McCance accepts that he will be hard-pushed to perform the same feat again due to the number of WRC and highly modified cars taking part – although he starts as favourite to claim Evo Challenge and Group N honours.

Hoping for better luck than they had on the Ravens Rock Rally three weeks ago, the 2008 Mitsubishi Champion Brendan Cumiskey and co-driver Conor Foley are second seeds in the series and the Production Class for this event. Having shown they can set front-running stage times, they are likely to pose the biggest threat to McCance/Hart this weekend.

Another crew to show they can mix it at the head of the Mitsubishi field are Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly. They delivered their best result of the season last time out when they finished second of the Evo Challenge crews and, by doing so, pushed their way in to second place in the series standings.

Making a welcome return to the Mitsubishi fold, following their initial appearance this year in April’s Circuit of Ireland Rally, are Geoff McMahon/Robert Graham. They contested this event last year in the James Foley Rallysport Evo X and are therefore familiar with the area, but have opted to run their own Evo IX for this year’s outing through the County Meath lanes.

Notable by their absence on this event are John McGlaughlin and Crawford Henderson, the driver’s Evo IX still suffering from a frustrating and un-traceable miss-fire. Another regular crew to be missing the rally are Stanley Ballantine/Donnacha O’Callaghan, but have vowed to return for the next round.

As in previous years, the ALMC Rally starts and finishes from its headquarters at the City North Hotel. The first car leaves the start ramp at 9.30, with the 140-car field embarking on a route which features nine stages totalling 137 kilometres, split into three loops of three. A service halt at Duleek takes place after each loop and the finish is scheduled for 7.16 pm.

For the first time this season, the winner of the Evolution Challenge in each of the three countries it takes place, UK, Ireland and Sweden, will win the same prize: A supported drive in the FxPro Rally Cyprus, the final round of the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge). Then, whichever of the three teams are first home on this event, will be crowned European Evolution Challenge Champions.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland is supported by: Mitsubishi Motors, Pirelli tyres, Sunoco fuels, JRM, Cyprus Automobile Association, Fairways Mitsubishi, Donnelly Group, James Foley Rallysport, Speedline Corse wheels, Murray Motorsport, CL brake pads, Sparco racewear, Pacenotes and PIAA lights - who sponsor the junior award for under 25-year old drivers.

Evolution Challenge entries
10  Neil McCance (Comber)/Jonny Hart (Carryduff)
15  Brendan Cumiskey (Dundalk)/Conor Foley (Ballinode)           
16  Sam Moffett (Monaghan)/ James O’Reilly (Monaghan)
41  Geoff McMahon (Armagh)/Robert Graham (Armagh)

Series standings after round four
Drivers
1 Neil McCance 44
2 Sam Moffett 32
3 Brendan Cumiskey 30
4 John McGlaughlin 17
5 Stanley Ballantine 15
6 Geoff McMahon 14
7 Willie Mavitty 5          
Co-drivers
1 James O'Reilly 32
2 Conor Foley 30
3 Jonny Hart 24
4 Sean Ferris 20
5 Crawford Henderson 17
6 Donnacha O'Callaghan 15
7 Rob Graham 14
8 Brian Daniels 5

ENDS

Photo
Sam Moffett and co-driver James O’Reilly have set front running times in this season’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland and, in this weekend’s round five, the ALMC Stages Rally, will be targeting another podium finish (copyright free image).