Round three of the Mitsubishi Raliart Evolution Challenge Ireland takes place next weekend (3rd & 4th May), when nine of the registered teams in the all-tarmac one-make series for Group N (production specification) Lancers Evolutions line up for the Ordnance Survey Ireland Rally of the Lakes.

In its 29th year, the event is one of Ireland’s most established rallies and, as well as the third round of the Evolution Challenge, also hosts the third round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

First Mitsubishi seed are Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey, who have led both previous Evo Challenge rounds this year, but a broken driveshaft in the first and contact with a wall in the second, means that they are yet to score any points. They will therefore adopt a more calculated approach to ensure that this time, they get to the finish and keep their title hopes alive.

Next Evo Challenge crew is first-round winner Brendan Cumiskey, with his co-driver this time out Conor Foley. After missing round two because of the event clashing with his sister’s wedding, Cumiskey will be looking to make up for lost ground this weekend.

Owen Murphy is the third Evo Challenger to start and has recruited the services of ex-works Mitsubishi co-driver Greg Shinnors to accompany him. Murphy has shown he has the pace to finish on the podium, but an off in round two did not help his quest for the title.

They are followed by round-two winners and championship leaders, Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont, who will be on a points scoring mission in order to maintain their current advantage. Next in line, having had to miss round two because of business commitments, are Michael Murray/Aidian Mason, who make a welcome return to the series in their well turned-out Evo VII.

After suffering an industrial injury just before the first round in February, Damian Tourish is delighted to finally be joining the Evolution Challenge, who together with co-driver Domhall McAlenny are looking forward to getting their season underway,

After missing round one and suffering a blown turbo in round two, Liam McFall/Donal Lennon are another crew aiming to get their season’s campaign off the ground, whilst behind them, Stanley/Ballentine/Richard Hyland and Tom Curley/Paul Horan start a surprisingly long way down the field, especially after they finished second and third respectively in March’s round two of the Mitsubishi series.

Based in Killarney, this year’s Rally of the Lakes features nine stages on Saturday and a further eight on Sunday, the sum of which provides the overall International category field of 152 competitors with a total competitive distance of 257 kms.

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 3
List of entries in start number order
14 Colm Murphy (Dublin)/Ger Loughrey (Limerick)
19 Brendan Cumiskey (Dundalk)/Conor Foley
23 Owen Murphy (Cork)/Greg Shinnors (Limerick)
27 Alan Carmichael (Ballymena)/Ivor Lamont (Ballymena)
37 Michael Murray (Longford)/Aidan Mannion (Kilcolgan)
51 Damien Tourish (Donegal)/Domhall McAllaney (Donegal)
56 Liam McFall (Armagh)/Donal Lennon (Arde)
66 Stanley Ballentine (Strabane)/Richard Hyland (Omagh)
72 Tom Curley (Oranmore)/Pat Cashman (Falway)

Championship Positions after round 2
Drivers
1 Alan Carmichael 20
2 Tom Curley 15
3 Brendan Cumiskey 12
4 Owen Murphy 10
5 Stanley Ballentine 10
6 Michael Murray 6

Co-drivers
1 Ivor Lamont 22
2 Peter O’Toole 12
3 Richard Hyland 10
4 Paul Horan 8
5 Pat Cashman 8
6 Aidan Marrion 7