Rallye Monte Carlo 2000
Friday 21 January
COMMUNIQUE 3

MITSUBISHI LEADS RALLYE MONTE CARLO WITH MAKINEN
AND ALSO DOMINATES GROUP N CATEGORY

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen has taken command of the Monte Carlo Rally, the first round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship, in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. On a good day for Mitsubishi, team-mate Freddy Loix has shot up the order in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT and Mitsubishis are also dominating the Group N production class.

There was instant drama on the second day of the rally when Richard Burns’ Subaru and all three of the official Peugeots failed to re-start in Gap. Their retirement instantly reinforced Makinen’s lead, but conditions on the stages remained treacherous. While there were fewer patches of snow and ice on the ultra-demanding Alpine stages on a sunny but cold day, drivers could not afford to let their concentration slip for a moment.

Finns Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki coolly maintained their lead in their ultra-reliable Lancer Evolution. The four-times World Champion had no need to take chances, but admitted that conditions were often difficult, with plenty of gravel on some of the asphalt stages, as well as the inevitable ice.

"I think it’s even more difficult now after these retirements. We have no problems with the car of course, but it’s easier when you have to concentrate 150%. Now I don’t really have to push. We have done some testing with the suspension too, because the stages are quite bumpy and difficult", Makinen commented.

Belgian crew Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have stepped up the pace in their Michelin-shod Carisma GT, eager to open the season with a useful, points-scoring finish. They have climbed to seventh place and have every chance of moving into the top six during the final leg.

"Today has been better. Confidence is important on this rally, but also experience. You really need to do the stages once at full speed before you know them and quite a few are new to us. The long stage today was tricky and it was good to finish it without trouble", Loix stated.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs are dominating Group N once more. Austrian Manfred Stohl leads the category ahead of Gianluigi Galli and four-times World Champion Gustavo Trelles of Uruguay. Previous overnight leader Uwe Nittel lost time with an electrical problem earlier in the day and was ultimately forced into retirement. Overall, Mitsubishi’s hold the top seven positions.

The third leg of the rally brings crews to the finish in Monaco via another five stages, covering 137 kilometres. They include the notorious Sisteron-Thoard stage that has often decided the rally in the past.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER LEG 2