The battle for the 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland reconvenes following a two-month Summer break, when crews tackle another of the country’s classic asphalt events, the Riverbank House Hotel Dick Bailey Stages – better know as the Wexford Rally – on 6th & 7th September.
All of the top-six Evo Challenge crews in the series standings will be competing in the event, each still with a mathematical chance of lifting the title and becoming the inaugural Irish Evo Challenge Champion.
First to lead the Mitsubishi field away are Owen Murphy/James O’Brien, who are yet to score an Evo Challenge win, but if recent form is anything to go by this might well be the rally in which thy achieve it.
Second across the ramp are round two winners and series leaders since then, Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont. However, they are mindful that their advantage has been gained by some good results and an accumulation of points from each round. Therefore, they are still yet to drop a score, the Evo Challenge regulations stating that crews must count their best five results from the season’s six rounds.
Next to start is the only crew to have taken two wins so far this year: Brendan Cumiskey, who is co-driven by Conor Foley. Just two points behind Carmichael in the drivers standings, Cumiskey has already dropped a score, so is well placed to snatch the lead this time round.
However, the crew most likely to stop them are winners last time out, Damien Tourish/Domhall McAllaney. Having missed the first two rounds, they are fast making up for lost ground and certainly cannot be ruled out of the title equation.
Fifth away from the start and fourth in the Evo Challenge standings is Tom Curley, with co-driver Brian Miller. Curley has recorded a series of solid performances so far and is always in the right place to take advantage of a good result if others falter.
Having had to rebuild their car following a high-speed off when the rain fell mid-way through round four, Stanley Ballentine and Richard Hyland are back to se if they can improve on their perhaps undeserved championship position of sixth. However, whatever the outcome, there is no doubt that their attitude towards the sport will see them both enjoy the weekend.
Notable by his absence is reigning Group N Irish Tarmac Champion Colm Murphy, who’s bad luck in the first four rounds of the series sees him stand aside for this weekend’s event.
Starting and finishing in Wexford, the rally features eight stages and 110 kilometres on Saturday, followed by a further eight stages and 97 kilometres on Sunday.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland is supported by: Sunoco Racing Fuels, Pirelli tyres, Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, Performance Friction Brakes, Speedline Corse wheels, PIAA lights, Murray Motorsport, Sparco racewear, Pacenotes and James Foley Rallysport, who are providing a Group N Lancer Evolution for the 2008 Champion to use in next year’s Rally Ireland.
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Ireland – Round 5
List of entries in start number order
17 Owen Murphy (Cork)/ James O’Brien (Cork) (J)
23 Alan Carmichael (Ballymena)/Ivor Lamont (Ballymena)
31 Brendan Cumiskey (Dundalk)/Conor Foley (Ballinode)
32 Damien Tourish (Donegal)/Domhall McAllaney (Donegal) (J)
33 Tom Curley (Oranmore)/Brian Miller (Leixlip)
42 Stanley Ballentine (Strabane)/Richard Hyland (Omagh)
(J) = Junior driver
Championship Positions after round 4
Drivers
1 Alan Carmichael 34
2 Brendan Cumiskey 32
3 Damien Tourish 22
4 Tom Curley 21
5 Owen Murphy 20
6 Stanley Ballentine 18
7 Michael Murray 16
8 Liam McFall 6
9 Colm Murphy 4
Co-drivers
1 Ivor Lamont 36
2 Domhall McAllaney 22
3 Conor Foley 20
4 Richard Hyland 18
5 Aidan Mannion 18
6 Peter O’Toole 12
7 James O’Brien 10
8 Paul Horan 8
9 Pat Cashman 8
10 Brian Miller 6
11 Brian Duggan 4
| 
