MRF Tyres Rally Team Driver Scott Pedder and co-driver Glen Weston got their first taste of their new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX that they will campaign in the 2008 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.

Despite being the same model Lancer to what Pedder and Weston campaigned in the 2006 Australian Rally Championship with Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Australia, Pedder was quick to note that there were several differences.

“Probably the biggest difference, and the major reason for this brief test, was to get me used to driving left hand drive which is obviously something very very new to me! Despite some close shaves on the right hand side of the car and a few missed gears early on it became very familiar very quickly.”

Pedder was also very excited about the performance of the car.

“The car is very impressive. Most importantly it is incredibly easy to drive which I think is pivotal to our chances in a championship we haven’t been to before and with such a diverse range of climates road conditions and environments. Given the change of driving position and my length of time out of the seat I thought it would have taken me longer to get back up to speed but full credit to the Race Torque team for producing a superb overall package. Of course this is not a surprise to me given their speed and success in the championship over a long period of time.”