Following a successful return to British rally stages last year, MML Sports is delighted to confirm that one of its Mitsubishi Lancer WRC World Rally Cars will again be present on one of the UK’s premier rally series this year, the BTRDA.
Last year, the Lancer WRC took a well deserved second place overall on the finale of the 2011 BTRDA, the Cambrian Rally, clearly demonstrating its pace and potential in the foremost UK 4WD rally series.
However, even before that event, former Group N driver Tristan Bailey had decided that the Lancer would offer him the best chance to challenge for overall victory in the series. His aim is simple; to use the 2012 season to get to grips with the Lancer WRC, challenge for podium or even event wins towards the end of the season and mount a challenge for the overall title in 2013.
Bailey finished third in the Group N Production Cup in 2010 and fourth overall in the series but had a difficult 2011. However, he views the Lancer WRC, with its reputation for being not only competitive but also easy to drive and quick to learn, as the best option for 2012 and ’13.
The car will be run on all eight events that make up the series by MML Sports, taking the team the length and breadth of the country. Starting in Chepstow on February 11 with the Wyedean Rally, the season culminates with the Cambrian, using the infamous Great Orme Road and traditionally, a warm-up event for Wales Rally GB, the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
True to form though, the MML Sports team will again need to be in two places at once over the weekend of February 11/12, as Raimonds Kisiels will take part in Rally Sarma, the second round of the Latvian Rally Championship. Once again back at the wheel of the Lancer WRC, this event marks the second and last winter snow rally of the series, before the championship pauses until the spring and gravel roads are seen once more.
Commenting, MML Sports Managing Director John Easton said; “It hasn’t been much of an off season for us; we’ve been busy preparing for the start of this year with the two world cars for this weekend as well as building a new R4 Lancer EvolutionX which will be taking part in the Middle East Rally Championship. Once again, we find ourselves at opposite ends of Europe for the first weekend of competition.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the Lancer WRC in action throughout the BTRDA series this year with Tristan. He’s clearly a very capable driver and I’m sure he will do well in the car, which we know is competitive. It will also be good to get back out to Latvia with Raimonds and rest of the team and with the MERC programme coming up, it looks as if this will be another busy year for us.”