www.rallyscene.com - 3
Australian Rallysport News - February 2004
Ralliart shake-up TERMINATED: Bob Riley’s company, Bradsport, will no longer prepare the works Mitsubishi Lancers, while Spencer Lowndes (right) has been left without a factory drive for 2004.
REUNITED: Ed Ordynski and Les Walkden competed successfully during the 1990’s. The pair will join forces again in 2004, under the official Ralliart banner.
T
eam Mitsubishi Ralliart Australia will undergo major changes for the 2004 Australian Rally Championship, with Tasmanian Les Walkden expected to take over the running of the team from his Launceston base. And in a further shock, Juha Kangas will join Ed Ordynski as a factory-backed driver, leaving 2003 member Spencer Lowndes on the sidelines. Ralliart Australia’s ARC program has previously been run from Sydney under the guidance of Doug Stewart, and then Bob Riley’s company Bradsport, but according to reports, none of Bradsport’s Sydney staff members will be required as part of the new works outfit. Ralliart Australia was purchased by Mitsubishi Motors Australia at the start of 2003. Some disappointing mechanical performances from the works Lancer could explain one of the reasons for the change in the running of the team for next season. Both Ordynski and Lowndes suffered
repeated problems throughout the season, sometimes prior to the event start. The decision has come as a shock to everyone, including Spencer Lowndes. “I didn’t find out until two days before Christmas - there was really no warning,” Lowndes told ARN. Neither Les Walkden, nor Mitsubishi’s Manager of Special Vehicles, Kevin Taylor, could shed much light on the situation when contacted. “We put in a budget to run a two car team, but nothing has been confirmed,” Walkden said. “All I know is that we have support to run Juha Kangas in a Mitsubishi in 2004.” “All I can tell you is that Bradsport’s contract to run the factory Mitsubishi’s in the ARC has been terminated,” Kevin Taylor told ARN. “Mitsubishi have decided that they will take a different strategic direction in 2004.” A meeting was scheduled for January 14th (the day ARN went to press) to finalise plans for this year, but it seems likely that Ordynski and Kangas will be the factory drivers.
Lancer super team as Ordynski and Kangas team up for season 2004 By Peter Whitten “I have a contract to drive the official Mitsubishi Motors Australia cars in the ARC and in any other competitive motorsport events,” Ordynski said. “At the moment it looks Les Walkden will be Mitsubishi’s supplier of services for the ARC team in in 2004, but it’s still to be confirmed.”
The factory Ralliart operation will run Lancer Evolution 7’s in the 2004 national championship, and Ordynski was also hopeful that a run in the World Championship qualifying Rally of New Zealand would be a possibility. Former V8 Supercar team boss, Alan Heaphy, is having some involvement in the restructured team. When contacted by ARN Heaphy said he had a one month contract with Mitsubishi to carry out some planning and evaluation to see what opportunities there were for the team. “But it’s only for a month,” he stressed. Scott Pedder was expected to run with Mitsubishi support in 2004, driving the ex-Spencer Lowndes Evo 7 that was crashed in Tasmania in November, but the team’s plans are currently on hold.
“There’s an Evo 7 out there painted in Pedders colours, but whether it’s coming our way or not we’re still not sure,” Pedder said. “Our plans were to run myself, Mark Pedder and Will Orders in the ARC, but at the moment we don’t know what’s happening.” Pedder is also believed to have looked closely at driving a Subaru in 2004, but will stay loyal to Mitsubishi nevertheless. The changes to the Ralliart operation will, if nothing else, provide Mitsubishi with a formidable line-up in the 2004 ARC. Ordynski and Kangas could well start the series as favourites, given their mix of experience and speed. There’s no doubt, their opposition - Crocker and Herridge at Subaru, and Bates and Evans at Toyota - are in for a tough season.
www.rallyscene.com For all the latest rally news, as it happens.