the car enthusiast Join AllAdvantage.com searchnavigation
latest news archives motorsport database features


Story by Mitsubishi: 11th February 2000

MAKINEN AND MARLBORO MITSUBISHI RALLIART READY TO ATTACK

FIA World Rally Championship
Round 2 - International Swedish Rally (10-13 February)

At the conclusion of the opening leg of the International Swedish Rally, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki are poised for attack in third position. Team-mate Freddy Loix, co-driven by Sven Smeets, is competing for only the second time in Sweden, and currently lies eleventh overall.

Unseasonably mild weather has resulted in a lack of snow on the fast and flowing stages and, although many of the stages are covered in ice, patches of gravel are a constant threat. The preparation work carried out by tyre partner Michelin has however kept Mitsubishi's Swedish aspirations on track, and the team has experienced no problem with stud retention.

Chasing his fourth Swedish victory, Makinen has been consistent from the outset, albeit surprised by the pace of overnight leader Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot). An uncharacteristic mistake in the third and longest stage of the day lost the Finnish four-times World Champion precious seconds, but the Lancer Evolution has not missed a beat, despite a strange noise in the gearbox throughout the day.

"At the moment it is a very good battle," he said. "I am quite happy, but there has been a strange noise with the gearbox so the team will change everything for us this evening. We went off the road in stage 3 after the famous big jump 20 kilometres from the start - it was a sixth gear right hand corner, but we were lucky not to hit anything. We may not have had the best tyre choice in two of the stages, but we are still pushing hard and will try to go faster, but Marcus is quick and it is not very easy. My biggest concern has been with some people in the stages. Twice we have had to go off line to avoid a cameraman - I don't think they appreciate how much we turn in for the corners and I am obviously concerned for their safety."

Team-mate Freddy Loix, co-driven by Sven Smeets, has only competed in Sweden once before and is learning the limits of the Carisma GT and Michelin tyres on the uncharacteristic combination of ice and gravel. The Belgians currently hold eleventh position, but are poised to overhaul former World Champion Didier Auriol (SEAT).

"I have been driving quite well today, pushing hard in places, but I misjudged stage three a bit by slowing up to preserve the tyres on the gravel sections. This obviously lost me time, but it was a good learning experience. Tomorrow we will continue to try hard and hopefully make good progress, but it is not easy."

Adding to his drivers' comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short said: "Tommi is very much in touch with the leaders and in a good position to improve on his position. He has had a disadvantage running first on the road because the grip has been better for the following cars, but tomorrow he'll be better placed. We set Freddy a target and he is achieving that, so we are very satisfied with his performance and hopefully he will be able to move up tomorrow."

Leg two of the International Swedish Rally starts from Karlstad at 06:15 hrs (GMT+1) for a further six special stages which take the crews to the northeast of the host town and up to Borlange.

POSITIONS AFTER STAGE 9 (END OF DAY ONE)

1.Gronholm Peugeot1:06:27.2
2. RadstromToyota1:06:42.2+0:15.0
3. MakinenMitsubishi1:06:45.3+0:18.1
4. McRaeFord 1:06:51.5+0:24.3
5. BurnsSubaru1:06:55.6+0:28.4
6. SainzFord1:07:04.2+0:37.0
11. LoixMitsubishi1:08:36.3+2:09.1