A rally car slices through the snow at the launch of the 2004 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge. A5003P13A SNOW-FROSTED Somerley Park provided a scenic backdrop for the launch of the 2004 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.

Mitsubishi proudly unveiled its Lancer Evolution VIII for the Sunseeker Rallye, the opening round of this year's Kumho National Rally Championship.

Behind the wheel was last year's Group N champion Brendan Crealey, alongside his co-driver Steve Harris.

The two were competing in their first works drive, taking on 39 challengers for their crown.

The snow-driving specialists, helped by a heavy snowfall on Thursday night, got their season off to a flying start, steering the car to its maiden victory on their first time out.

But the preparation had gone far from smoothly.

Mechanics from ADR motorsport discovered a last-minute glitch in the engine's mapping and had to work around the clock to have the car ready to drive in time for the launch.

The race itself got under way at Bournemouth on Friday night, with two runs through the town's botanical gardens and along the esplanade.

In front of thousands of spectators, Crealey immediately demonstrated that he had lost none of last year's form, setting fastest Group N times and claiming 13 place overall out of a field of 130 cars taking part in the Sunseeker Rallye.

Saturday saw 14 stages in the Ringwood and Wareham forests.

Crealey revelled in the icy conditions and made the most of the Mitsubishi's handling, elevating himself to second place by the end of stage six.

The race returned to Somerley Park in stage seven, where Crealey was nearly caught out by the hazardous conditions.

His car left the road on a tight hairpin bend and the recovering manoevre cost him a valuable ten seconds.

The Mitsubishi fell back through the field and surrendered first place to the Subaru challengers.

Crealey had to wait until stage 14 to strike back, capitalising when the Subaru went off the road after encountering a roadblock caused by a car which had rolled.

He crossed the finish ramp back in Bournemouth to take the Group N victory and claim a well-deserved sixth place overall in the Sunseeker.

Reflecting on his success, Crealey said: "This is a great result for us, Mitsubishi and ADR Motorsport.

"The whole team has put in so much effort this week to make this happen.

"I'm just delighted we have been able to win Group N and finish so high up overall. We are in an excellent position for the rest of the year.

"With a bit of work between now and the next event, I know we can be even more competitive."

Round Two of the Kumho National Rally Championship is the Astra stages through the forests of North Wales, starting on April 3.