Ever rapid Yorkshireman Jonny Milner gets his 2007 season underway on Rallye Sunseeker on February 23/24.  The double British Rally Champion has set his sights on capturing the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge this year after missing out on the 2006 title by way of a tie break.

Team Merlin International will once again run the Tom Walkinshaw Group built Mitsubishi Lancer E9 with assistance from MSR Motorsport.  Support comes from Merlin International, Team Dynamics Alloy Wheels and Pirelli Tyres for the year but a new and significant part of the team has changed.  Long time co-driver Nicky Beech has stepped up to the World Rally Championship so fellow Yorkshireman and former MSA National Rally Champion Ian Windress will partner Milner for the first time.

With a new season awaiting him, Jonny is keen to build on a successful if frustrating 2006.  Milner suffered a horrendous outing on Wales Rally GB in December, the final round of the Tesco 99 British Rally Championship.  Fuel pump problems and an off road excursion would leave Jonny on identical points with long term sparring partner Gwyndaf Evans.  The prize of a full factory Mitsubishi drive in the BRC this year went to the Welshman – on the basis that he outscored Milner on the seasons opening round.

For Jonny, it was a bitter pill to swallow but the ever excitable Yorkshire favourite from Huggate is set to contest both the Evo Challenge and the BRC this year.  The John Bean Garage Equipment, Snap On Diagnostics, Goldline Bearings, NGK Spark Plugs, Sparco, and Ferodo Competition Brake Pads backed driver is itching to get the season underway in Bournemouth next week:

“I’m really excited about the year ahead” said Jonny from his home in Huggate.  “I know that MSR Motorsport have done an excellent job with the car over the winter months, and having Ian Windress join me is all part of a fresh challenge too.  Ian is a talented co-driver and he’s ready to get out there and win as am I.  The aim is to win the Evo Challenge this year, and our experience and consistency will certainly play a major part in making that goal a reality.  I expect the pace to be very hot again this year, but that holds no fears for me.  We are an experienced team and we have excellent support from Pirelli Tyres who are always 100% behind what we do.  Everyone is doubly determined to make up for the disappointment of losing the championship on a tie break last year.  It is not going to be easy, but whoever does win the championship this year will have most certainly earned it.”

Milner plans a dual assault for the year depending on funding.  The Evo Challenge will mainly follow the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship but will return to some events that form part of the Tesco 99 British Rally Championship.  Jonny is keen to contest both championships as he stands an excellent chance of victory in both:

“Last year was frustrating at times due to some very minor niggles that we had with the car.  I hadn’t driven a Production Cup car for a few years so it took me a while to re-adjust to the driving style of the modern Group N car.  With a season’s experience of that behind me I feel confident that we’ll be on the pace from the start in Bournemouth, and attempting to win the British Rally Championship for a third time is also something that I would certainly relish.”