Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6.5
Credit: Robyn Edie
Number Plates:
ABJ773
Driver/Ownership:
Built by Ralliart NZ for 2001 season
2001: Ross Meekings
2002 - 2003: Mark Tapper
2004 - 2005: Tom Pritchard
2007 - 2008: Andrew Simms (Car Owner)
2007: Chris West
2009 - Current: Dean Bond
History:
This car built by RalliArt was first guided by Ross Meekings in the 2001 NZRC Group A championship. 2002, and a new season would see Peter Johnson and the Genuine Vehicle Imports (GVI) team run the young Mark Tapper in Group N trim. Tapper’s talent behind the wheel was soon apparent, and the opportunity arose once again to continue with the team into the 2003 season. 2004 and an upgrade into an Evo 7 for Tapper would see Tom Pritchard campaign the car throughout the season in NZRC events, again in GVI colours.
Move forward to 2007, and Subaru’s decision not to run Chris West in the Winger Subaru meant that West was left without a seat. With the support of Andrew Sims, West would campaign the car at Rally Otago, up against much more modern Impreza’s and Evo’s that dominated the Group N era of the time.
2009 and the car was sold to Southlander Dean Bond. A regular competitor, Bond would campaign the Evo in lower South Island events, often at the pointy end of the regional field. Catlins Coast would prove a happy hunting ground for Bond, notching up three wins over the years 2009, 2011 and 2015.
ABJ773
Driver/Ownership:
Built by Ralliart NZ for 2001 season
2001: Ross Meekings
2002 - 2003: Mark Tapper
2004 - 2005: Tom Pritchard
2007 - 2008: Andrew Simms (Car Owner)
2007: Chris West
2009 - Current: Dean Bond
History:
This car built by RalliArt was first guided by Ross Meekings in the 2001 NZRC Group A championship. 2002, and a new season would see Peter Johnson and the Genuine Vehicle Imports (GVI) team run the young Mark Tapper in Group N trim. Tapper’s talent behind the wheel was soon apparent, and the opportunity arose once again to continue with the team into the 2003 season. 2004 and an upgrade into an Evo 7 for Tapper would see Tom Pritchard campaign the car throughout the season in NZRC events, again in GVI colours.
Move forward to 2007, and Subaru’s decision not to run Chris West in the Winger Subaru meant that West was left without a seat. With the support of Andrew Sims, West would campaign the car at Rally Otago, up against much more modern Impreza’s and Evo’s that dominated the Group N era of the time.
2009 and the car was sold to Southlander Dean Bond. A regular competitor, Bond would campaign the Evo in lower South Island events, often at the pointy end of the regional field. Catlins Coast would prove a happy hunting ground for Bond, notching up three wins over the years 2009, 2011 and 2015.
