The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki finished the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship season off on a high note with a fine third position in the Rally of Great Britain.

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

And, the Mitsubishi Motors crew of Manfred Stohl and Peter Muller have won the FIA World Cup for Drivers of Production Cars after a fine drive and a category victory today.

The year 2000 marks the end of Makinen’s four-year reign as World Champion, but national honours remain intact and the Finn hands the coveted trophy to fellow countryman Marcus Gronholm. The Peugeot star, who finished second in Great Britain in only his first full season in the series, is Finland’s sixth World Rally Champion and, after victories in Sweden, New Zealand, Finland and Australia, richly deserves the title. Subaru’s Richard Burns did all that was in his power to stop the Finn, the Briton recovering well from a disastrous opening day to clinch a unique hat-trick of home wins, but it was simply not enough to fulfil every sportsman’s dream. He finishes runner-up in the series for the second consecutive year, followed by Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae and Mitsubishi’s Tommi Makinen.

Peugeot has taken a clean sweep of the titles this season, the French make also winning the Manufacturers’ Championship for the first time since 1986. Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi took second, third and fourth respectively.

Driving rain and gale force winds hit Wales last night, threatening a treacherous concluding leg on the Rally of Great Britain. However, as the crews left the start ramp in Cardiff early this morning, the rain had essentially passed, the skies turned blue and only a gusting wind remained. Three forest stages and 84 competitive kilometres lay in wait and, with the fight for the remaining top positions split by only handfuls of seconds, there was no respite for the world’s finest rally drivers.

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

The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki dropped time to Ford’s Carlos Sainz in the opening stage, but fastest time by the Finns in the proceeding stage elevated them back up into third position with just over a second separating the rivals. "The first stage we went a bit too carefully and couldn’t find the best speed. We were trying to be fast and safe at the same time", commented Tommi. "The second stage was much better and we just went flat-out".

In the final stage of the rally, and indeed the 2000 Championship, Makinen set fastest time to maintain his position and register a firm 18.5 second lead over fourth placed Carlos Sainz. "It is an important and good result for us, our best finish on this rally. We had some problems, most of which I was making myself, but it’s a good end to the season and we are very well prepared to take my title back next year. The team has done a great job all season and we must also pay thanks to Phil (Short) for his big contribution to the success of the team".

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

In Group N, the Mitsubishi Carisma GT crew of Stohl and Muller have led the series all year and, with victories in Monte Carlo, New Zealand, Corsica and now Great Britain, the pairing have finally brought an end to Gustavo Trelles’ four-year stranglehold on the series. Their efforts, along with a host of other star drivers, has also netted a quite unprecedented string of victories for Mitsubishi, the Japanese manufacturer claiming 14 Group N wins from 14 outings this season.

"I’m obviously very happy", said a beaming Manfred. "I was quite relaxed today in fact. The stages have been quite slippery but we have not been under any real pressure. I didn’t expect the Championship to go to the last round, but with rallies you just never know what to expect".

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

Twenty-eight-year-old Stohl came to Great Britain just one point ahead of Trelles after a year-long battle over snow, ice, asphalt and gravel and, with everything to fight for, the rivals knew that whoever finished ahead here in Wales would take the coveted World title.

Gustavo Trelles effectively lost the fight yesterday when punctures hampered his charge, the burly Uruguayan having to run on flat rubber due to the fact that Group N cars are not allowed to carry two spare wheels, nor be assisted by anti-deflation mousse. By contrast, Austria’s Stohl has had a completely trouble-free run in his reliable Carisma GT and a measured drive has reaped rich rewards. "This rally is not a lucky one for us", commented Gustavo, "but I’ve never finished it before so at least this year we managed to do that".

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