After three challenging days of hot competition, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crews of Tommi Makinen/Risto Mannisenmaki and Freddy Loix/Sven Smeets finished the Rally of Cyprus in 5th and 8th positions respectively. Both Makinen and Loix have traded fastest stage times, and in fact one or other has been in the top three for two consecutive days, demonstrating the competitiveness of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT in this, the newest and 10th round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N G. Trelles / J. del Buono

Mitsubishi Motors’ drivers have retained their unbeaten record in the Group N production car category in the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship with yet another victory on the 10th round of the series, the Rally of Cyprus. Uruguay’s Gustavo Trelles led a clean sweep of the top seven positions for South American Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivers, reviving his World Championship hopes in the process.

Carlos Sainz ended his drought of victories and won the Rally of Cyprus, leading from start to finish in his Ford Focus. This is the Spaniard’s first win since New Zealand 1998 and, although he retains his fourth position in the Championship, Sainz will undoubtedly be buoyed by such a convincing victory. Peugeot’s star Marcus Gronholm retired, but was lucky to hold on to the lead he established in Finland. However, Colin McRae has now overhauled arch rival Richard Burns, the two Britons holding second and third positions respectively. Tommi Makinen retains fifth and Mitsubishi holds fourth in the Manufacturers’ Championship.

Today’s leg has taken the remaining 29 crews to the northeast of the rally base in Limassol for the concluding six special stages and 88.75 competitive kilometres. Searing temperatures in the high 30’s have again taken their toll and the crews at the front of the field have found themselves sweeping the roads of loose gravel to the benefit of those behind.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen started in fine form by setting fastest time on the opening stage of the day. The Finn ultimately overhauled Estonian star Markko Martin on the following stage, fighting hard in the dry and dusty conditions. Another fastest time in stage 21 kept the four-times World Rally Champion ahead of his rival, however only problems incurred by any of his rivals could have helped as Tommi simply ran out of kilometres to move up the leaderboard.

"The first day was the worst for me, the second was better and today has been the best", said Tommi. "Today we didn’t have so many problems, but unfortunately we got so far away on the first day that we couldn’t do anything. We’ve had good times and finally it’s nice to see us back rallying again on gravel because we have had a couple of not so good events. I like the rally, it’s a nice place, but it’s very hard for the cars and drivers. My opinion is that they should change the service regulations so we have a service between the very long stages".

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

Freddy Loix has been the revelation of the rally. He and co-driver Sven Smeets have set two fastest stage times and a string of second and third positions amid a host of current and former World Champions. The Belgian Mitsubishi Carisma GT crew richly deserved a higher placing, however the time loss incurred in the first leg put them too far adrift.

"I think it’s one of my better rallies with the team", he said. "We found back our nice speed and it was clear that we had a good speed for two days, set some good times and found some confidence. I like the rally; for me it’s better than Greece, but perhaps if they take out some of the very twisty stages it would be very good indeed. I hope to come back next year and get a better result. Hopefully we can now keep the same speed for the future".

Four times World Group N Champion Gustavo Trelles had stamped his authority on the production car class from the outset and controlled the pace from the front to notch up yet another victory for Mitsubishi. In the process, he also finished 11th overall - a remarkable achievement on such rough terrain against so many purpose-built rally cars.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N G. Trelles / J. del Buono