Dumfries rally ace David Bogie heads to the Ulster Rally this week determined to take another significant step towards winning the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. Following the Swansea Bay Rally, Bogie leads the championship by one point from Richard Cathcart, though the Englishman has since withdrawn from the Evolution Challenge. Bogie’s true lead in the title race is therefore five points to Nik Elsmore from Coleford.

“Ulster is always tough because it’s an all-Tarmac event,” Bogie explained. “We go there with a healthy lead in the championship, but we’ll not be taking anything for granted. We know the event is going to be tough.”

 This weekend’s event is based in Armagh and gets underway on Friday evening with six stages before the overnight halt. A further 10 stages follow on Saturday, the combined total of which provide the overall International field of 80 cars — which includes six Evo Challenge runners — with 134 competitive miles.

The Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge offers its champion one of the best prizes in British Motorsport, the winner of the 2008 series being given an official works drive in this year’s Wales Rally GB in a brand new Group N Evolution X. The winning driver will also be considered for selection when details are announced about Mitsubishi’s 2009 works campaign.