Manning Set to Make an Electrifying Return

Rallying is a mixture of high octane action, adrenaline and speed. For some, it's also a labour of love. Restoring a car which has strong sentimental value is very rewarding on a personal level, then actually driving it in anger brings a different level of satisfaction. After a hiatus from the action, Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning is back, and in a Mitsubishi- but it's not an Evo. It's been a while (too long, some would say) since Trevor's been behind the wheel. How does he feel to be stepping back out? "Well as you can imagine, competing again after not putting on a rally helmet for 4 years brought a certain level of excitement. Being out of competition hasn't been too bad. I've been doing some mountain biking which has been very entertaining and keeps the adrenaline flowing." In those four years on the sidelines, the competition at the sharp end of the field has intensified quite a bit. Trevor admits to missing being up among the big boys fighting it out. "I do sometimes miss the competition at the top end of the field. I enjoyed all of the battles at the front, especially coming from behind."

So, with "Micey" rejoining the fray, he'd need a car. He chose a brand with which he had quite an affinity. The difference here though, was this machine is steeped in family history. "I've just completed a lovely 3 year project in the rebuild of our Lancer EX 2000 Turbo: a car that rolled out of the showroom in 1984 as 1600 GSR and went straight on to win the June Rally driven by my father. He used it in competition throughout the 80's partnered with David Edwards and would win the June again in '88 - this time in the modified version using the 2000 turbo engine, gearbox and drivetrain. My brother Wayne and I also competed with it in the late 80's and early 90's. In '96 and '97 I went on to drive it under the BP/Fort Royal sponsorship, competing in the Caribbean Rally Championship before moving on to the Evo range. So with such history behind the car, we found it only fitting to fully restore it but aimed towards Group B historic spec. Stripped to the shell and rebuilt with every detail in mind, this was not as easy task. A lot of the parts were not off the shelf and some fabrications had to be made but we wanted to keep her as original as possible."

With the rebuild completed, a shakedown was in order to get reacquainted with the EX 2000- and to test his reflexes, from the sound of it. "I've just done a little test session at Bushy Park and was quick to remember this car was no candy to drive. the turbo lag was always the biggest obstacle to overcome and you have to use some aggressive left foot braking to keep it spooled. Also, the steering box can feel heavy and the gearbox is still synchronized with a long throw but when you get it all right, you feel like a Jedi! I've always said if you can master this car you can drive anything, and it certainly made all the rest of the cars I drove after seem like a walk in the park."

With everything all but sorted where the car is concerned, what does Trevor have planned for future participation? "I have no concrete plans going forward, only to get the car dialed in and pick out the smoother venues to driver on as she still a family heirloom. I miss the morning events or hill climbs and would like to see a little more of those. the rallysprints will be on the cards and I would like to try out the new rallysprint track in Antigua hopefully next year and maybe a Rally Trinidad if all goes well." Having experienced the battle at the top end of the spectrum and looking to get back into the swing of things, is a return to that top group on the cards? "The machinery needed and costs aren't realistic to me anymore, the cars practically run on rails and I don't enjoy watching them as much. The lack of gravel events hasn't helped my enthusiasm either, and i feel sorry for all the young drivers in the sport not being able to have access to all the different surfaces and venues we grew up on."

Seeing Trevor Manning back on the stages and the rallysprint track at Vaucluse is sure to conjure up memories. Seeing him in a classic and iconic car will be doubly enjoyable for the purist. Stay tuned to Red265 Rally Media for updates on when "Micey" makes his return.