With only one point separating the top four drivers in the championship standings: Daniel Barry, David Bogie, Richard Cathcart and Nik Elsmore, the fifth round of this year’s Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the Swansea Bay Rally on 19th July, is destined to produce an exciting battle for supremacy.

With cars in the Evolution Challenge strictly controlled to comply with Group N regulations, all are similar in performance and with so many drivers of eaqual pace registered for this year’s series, 2008 has so far produced the closest competition yet. In fact, with four rounds already run and three to go, only five points separates the top six!

First to lead the Mitsubishi charge are David Bogie/Kevin Rae, who are the only crew to have won two rounds so far this season. They are followed by winners of round two Richard Cathcart/Martin Brady, who have regularly shown that they have the speed to be at the front, be it on asphalt or gravel roads.

After scoring three podium finishes in the first three events, Daniel Barry/Mark Bowens will be looking to put the retirement on the final stage in round four behind them and get back to their front-running ways. Starting right behind them and also retiring from the last Evo Challenge round are Neil McCance/Graham Hopewell, who’s pace so far this season means that they are definitely in the frame for at least one victory before the year is out.

Nik Elsmore/Paul Wakely are next to start and, although in the top four of the championship, their consistent performance means that they are the only crew out of the leading quartet who are yet to drop a round – a significant factor – as the end of season competitors count the best six scores from the seven events.

Upping their game as the year progresses are round three winners Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors, who will be out to record their first Evo Challenge victory on gravel and close the gap - albeit just three points - between themselves and the championship leaders.

Miles Johnstone/Ian Bevan are next to line up and, if their stage times continue to improve, they could well finish close to the podium in Swansea. Jonathan Sparks/Chris Davies are another crew out to add to their points tally next weekend, whilst Tom Naughton/Horace Saville make a welcome return after missing two rounds whilst their car was being refurbished.

Notable absentees from the fifth round of the Evo Challenge are Daniel Sigurdarson, who will be staying in his native Iceland next weekend, Jonny Greer, who will be competing in the British Rally Championship on the Isle of Man and Simon Harraway, who’s season appears to have come to a premature end.

The Swansea Bay Rally also hosts round five of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship and sees a total entry of 36 cars, nine of which are Evolution Challenge competitors, a figure which represents 25% of the National field.

Starting an finishing from the rapidly developing area of SA1, the event features six timed special stages comprising 64 competitive miles in forests that are visited by the WRC teams during the Wales Rally GB: Margam, Rhondda, Resolven and Walters Arena.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge is backed by Mitsubishi Motors UK and Ralliart, with support from its associate sponsors: Pirelli tyres, Speedline Corse wheels, Sparco racewear, Performance Friction Brakes, Sunoco Race Fuels, ADR Motorsport, Walkinshaw Performance and PIAA lights, who sponsor the junior award for under 25 year old drivers.

Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge - Round Five
Entries in start number order
7 David Bogie (Dumfries)/Kevin Rae (Hawick) J
8 Richard Cathcart (Enniskillen)/Martin Brady (Navan)
9 Daniel Barry (Enniskerry)/Mark Bowens (Cork) J
10 Nik Elsmore (Coleford)/Paul Wakeley (Llanelli)
11 Neil McCance (Comber)/Graham Hopewell (Worcester)
12 Keith Cronin (Cork)/Greg Shinnors (Limerick) J
20 Miles Johnston (York)/Ian Bevan (Holywell)
21 Jonathan Sparks (Glastonbury)/Chris Davies (Abergavenny)
22 Thomas Naughton (Bury)/Horace Saville (Bury)
J = Junior driver

Championship Positions after round four
Drivers
1 Daniel Barry 28
2 Richard Cathcart 28
3 David Bogie 27
4 Nik Elsmore 27
5 Keith Cronin 24
6 Neil McCance 23
7 Miles Johnston 13
8 Jonathan Sparks 12
9 Seb Ling 8
10 Jonny Greer 7

Co-drivers
1 Mark Bowens 28
2 Martin Brady 28
3 Kevin Rae 27
4 Paul Wakely 20
5 Greg Shinnors 20
6 Graham Hopewell 15
7 Anthony O’Connail 12
8 Chris Davies 12
9 Craig Drew 11
10 Aled Rees 8