Mitsubishi Motors faces the Rally Finland, the ninth round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship, with high hopes of scoring its fifth outright victory in six years and winning the Group N production car class. Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen is regarded as the man to beat in Finland and is ably supported by Freddy Loix in a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, while Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs remain unbeaten in Group N this season.

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

Finland’s round of the World Rally Championship is widely seen as the ultimate test of driving skill. It is the fastest round of the series in Europe and the hundreds of jumps make it an unforgettable spectacle. Vast crowds flock to the attractive lakeland region of central Finland and it has a true international flavour, as the world’s best drivers are eager to pit themselves against the locals, despite the Finns’ unrivalled record on home ground. The keenest spectators took advantage of warm, sunny weather to catch a glimpse of the stars at the shakedown test this afternoon, as the teams made final preparations for the rally.

Four times World Champion Tommi Makinen and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki rate their chances highly, as they have an improved, lighter version of the Lancer Evolution, with modified suspension and high capacity differentials.

"I have a good feeling again with the car. We have made some more small changes and I think we have a very good chance. The first leg will be difficult, because the new stages are much more tricky than I thought, but it will be tough anyway, because there are so many drivers who can win", Makinen said.

Belgian team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are more than capable of scoring a good result in the dependable Carisma GT and Loix is looking forward to the challenge.

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