Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart stars Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and Freddy Loix, driving a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, are among the favourites for the fifth round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship, Spain’s Rallye Catalunya-Costa Brava.

Mitsubishi Motors is also confident of yet more success in the Group N production car category. A strong entry brings together the Group N winners of all four rounds of the series held so far this season - all of them Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Mitsubishi Carisma GT drivers - as well as four-times World Group N Champion Gustavo Trelles.

After a hectic few weeks, in which the drivers have faced everything from the snows of Sweden to the blistering heat of the Safari, they are now preparing for the first all-asphalt rally of the season. The fast, smooth roads of north-eastern Spain are as close as the World Rally Championship comes to racing, and Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart’s preparations have focused on fine-tuning the Monte Carlo Rally-winning set-up. However, conditions remain unpredictable. Crews had to wait some hours on Tuesday before practising a stage (Coll de Santigosa), as a snowplough had to be sent through to clear the road, although the forecast is for better weather during the rally itself. There were plenty of fans even at the shakedown test today and the crowds are sure to be massive during the rally itself.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Loix / S. Smeets

Four-times World Champion Tommi Makinen, co-driven by fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki, is pleased with the latest refinements to his Michelin-equipped Lancer Evolution and reckons he has an excellent chance of repeating his 1997 victory.

"Although they might look similar, this rally is quite different to Monte Carlo. It’s more likely to be dry here and you have more grip. These are nice, flowing roads. It’s more like racing with this smooth tarmac and everybody knowing the stages very well. To win here, it’s a question of getting the right settings for the car and tyre choice. If you make even one mistake, you can easily drop back", Makinen said.

Belgian Mitsubishi Carisma GT crew Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have a strong record on asphalt rallies and, as they have plenty of experience of the Catalan mountain roads, they should be well-placed to extend their strong points-scoring run.

"I think the car is a bit better than Monte Carlo, but it is so highly developed that you can’t make big changes now. The opposition is very strong and it’s hard to predict any kind of result. I hope to finish in the points obviously and I hope the weather is good. It becomes much more difficult to choose the tyres if it starts to rain", Loix commented.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs are so popular worldwide that no fewer than 27 have been entered in Group N, which means that they comprise over a quarter of the entry for the entire rally! They face a stern challenge in Spain. Although the smooth roads of north-eastern Spain aren’t damaging, constant corners and high levels of grip demand excellent suspension and tyres, and it can be a hard rally on brakes. It is therefore a true test of man and machine.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart T. Makinen / R. Mannisenmaki