Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki finished Rally Finland, the ninth round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship, in fourth position picking up vital points for themselves and Mitsubishi in both Championships. Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm took a convincing victory for the first time in his home event, snatching maximum points for the third time in his first full season with the French manufacturer.

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

Mitsubishi Motors’ drivers maintained their phenomenal unbeaten record in the Group N production class this season with yet another victory. This time Jani Paasonen was the victor in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT, as Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs collected the top 16 places in the prestigious class.

With five rounds remaining, Marcus Gronholm has grabbed the lead in the Drivers’ Championship and holds a six point advantage over Richard Burns, the Briton having crashed out of the event in the second leg. Colin McRae maintains his third position with Carlos Sainz and Tommi Makinen split by a mere point in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Ford has also broken Subaru’s stranglehold in the Manufacturers’ Championship, taking the lead by three points. Mitsubishi holds fourth position.

Mitsubishi’s four-times FIA World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, battled on today to maintain their fourth position ahead of fellow countryman Sebastian Lindholm, who was drafted in by Peugeot for its Finnish assault. The Finns were however lucky to hold their pace in the Lancer Evolution, Risto in extreme discomfort as the incessant jumps aggravated his back injury from yesterday, forcing him to catch his breath while trying to deliver the vital pace notes. "On some of the crests I was having to ask Tommi to slow down because my back was hurting too much", said Risto. "Unfortunately for me today’s stages have been some of the worst with so many big jumps".

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

With average speeds topping 125 kph today, the pace has been fast and furious and, despite Makinen making a few small mistakes, he finished a full 28 seconds ahead of Gronholm’s team-mate and cousin, Sebastian Lindholm. "We came here to try our best to win the rally", commented Tommi. "Unfortunately our suspension has not been working as well as we would have liked, which made it harder for us to challenge, but on the positive side we have been setting some reasonable times. But, overall, we must work hard with maximum effort to make the car even better as soon as possible".

Adding to his comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team director Andrew Cowan said: "It’s been a hard rally and fourth overall is not so bad. We’ve been in touch with the leaders but of course we’ve been used to Tommi winning his home event. It’s obviously not easy to be off the podium, but we have to look at the reasons why, seriously address them and make sure we are next time".

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N J. Paasonen / J. Honkanen

In Group N, Jani Paasonen confirmed the fine impression he made by winning the class on the Swedish Rally by scoring an equally accomplished victory on home soil, having led for most of the distance in his Carisma GT. He also took a fine 16th overall against much more highly modified cars.

"We have had no problems at all. The car has been very good and we have been able to slow down a little bit today. Winning is always good, but it is a special feeling on your home World Championship rally," he said.

Fellow Finn Juuso Pykalisto was his nearest challenger, fighting his way back into contention after getting a puncture in his Carisma GT during the first leg. Sadly, another puncture on SS20 prevented him from pressing home the attack.

"We have tried everything, but you also need a little bit of luck. I hope that people can see that the times were good, even if we finished second," Pykalisto remarked.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N J. Paasonen / J. Honkanen