The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart challenge on the 2000 Rallye de France - Tour de Corse is now in the hands of Tommi Makinen and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, following the retirement of team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets. And, at the conclusion of the opening leg of this, the 11th of the 14-round FIA World Rally Championship, the Finns hold sixth position in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution after 128 competitive kilometres. Flying Frenchman Gilles Panizzi snatched the overnight lead from Francois Delecour on the final stage of the day, Peugeot taking an impressive overnight one-two on home territory.

In the highly-competitive Group N category - in which Mitsubishi drivers make up exactly one-third of the group entrants - World Championship leader Manfred Stohl has a narrow advantage over Frenchman Jean-Marie Santoni, both driving Carisma GT machinery. Third position in the category is held by Italian Gianluigi Galli.

After days of Mediterranean sunshine and temperatures topping 30 degrees, the clear blue sky above the small Mediterranean island of Corsica gave way to cloud as the 121 starters left the capital city of Ajaccio for the opening six stages. The threat of rain and unpredictable road conditions was ever present early on but rain never materialised, easing tyre decisions that are so critical on asphalt events.

Reigning World Champion Tommi Makinen has put in a consistent performance; two second-fastest stage times and only once out of the top six over today’s twisty mountainous stages has left him in a comfortable and fighting position. The Finn’s Lancer Evolution has not missed a beat throughout the day and he starts the second leg of the toughest asphalt event in the series just 26 seconds adrift of the lead.

"On the first couple of stages we took a harder compound tyre and lost a bit of time, and then on the middle group we hit two rocks and damaged the front left wheel", said Tommi. "Then on stage 5 we had to brake hard for two pigs! Despite losing a bit of time with these things, today has been quite good and in the last stage I felt we had found the best style and the final tenths of a second. I hope we can keep this going now and we will be pushing hard tomorrow".

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

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets suffered their biggest disappointment of the season when they retired their Mitsubishi Carisma GT in the first stage after going off the road and plunging a heart-stopping 20 metres into a dry riverbed. "I made a big stupid mistake", said Freddy. "I went too quickly at the start and the tyres were too cold. I just had no grip on the first left corner and it took us by surprise and we went off the road. It’s one of those things and I made a bad mistake".

Commenting on the first day of competition, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short said: "Today started very badly when we lost Freddy because we were hoping for a good result from him. Thankfully though both he and Sven are alright. Tommi’s day has been quite satisfactory; he’s been very much on the pace, setting some good times and is not very far away from the lead".

Group N World Championship leader Manfred Stohl is a former winner of the category in Corsica and has made full use of his knowledge and experience to gain a narrow lead in his trouble-free Carisma GT.

"Many of the stages are narrow and difficult, so we try not to take too much risk. Most rally cars are quite heavy and you have to be careful to look after the tyres and brakes", Stohl said.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N M. Stohl / P. Muller