Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen starts the Rally of New Zealand, the eighth round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship, determined to repeat his 1999 victory in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The reigning World Rally Champion can depend on strong support from Belgian team-mate Freddy Loix, driving a Mitsubishi Carisma GT. Mitsubishi Motors has also yet to be beaten in the Group N production car class this season and is bidding for a phenomenal eighth consecutive victory on the Rally of New Zealand. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Mitsubishi Carisma GTs feature strongly in the entry list and, with drivers such as Austria’s Manfred Stohl and Uruguayan Gustavo Trelles at the wheel, Mitsubishi will be the favourite to extend its winning run.

Tommi Makinen with Lasse Lampi (right) and engineers David Hudson and Olivier Maroselli (left)

New Zealand is traditionally one of the drivers’ favourite rounds of the World Rally Championship. Although it is run in the middle of the southern hemisphere’s winter, it provides a welcome contrast in many respects to summer rallies such as the Acropolis. The winding dirt roads of New Zealand’s North Island are generally smooth, but the numerous corners and frequent changes of camber mean they are also highly demanding and therefore one of the ultimate tests of driving skill. Speed tends to count for more than reliability, but this year’s rally features a 58-kilometre stage - the longest to be included on a World Championship rally since 1986 - and that will make consistency vital.

It is a challenge that four-times World Champion Tommi Makinen and fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki relish. Their resounding 1999 success proved they have finally shaken off their previous bad luck in New Zealand, and Makinen is confident that the Michelin-equipped Lancer Evolution is more than capable of yielding another victory.

After today’s final shakedown test, run to the north of the Auckland base under predominantly blue skies and in temperatures between 3 and 15 degrees, Makinen said: "It has all been very good so far, no problems at all. The new diffs really suit my driving style and we have some good settings for the rally. I think we have very good performance and I am very confident, especially after last year’s result, although there is a lot of opposition. The long stage is quite nice and I am looking forward to it. Of course, the weather is a big question. If it rains, it will be the same for everyone, but if it is dry, it can be better if you are not first on the road, so that could help us at first", Makinen said.

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

Belgian Carisma GT crew Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have been to New Zealand only once before, but Loix is sure that last year’s experience will stand them in good stead this year as they bid for another top result.

"It was a big difference in the recce to see the country in good weather - it could have been the south of France or Spain! We have been working quite a lot on our pace notes and we have done quite a bit of testing too, both before the recce and at the shakedown. The car feels good and I am quite happy. It should be a good rally", Loix commented.

The rally will also be the first World Championship appearance of the year for Japanese driver Katsuhiko Taguchi, the reigning Asia-Pacific Rally Champion. He has already proved his worth in his Group A Lancer Evolution by finishing second on the Rally of Canberra and is sure to be vying for the honour of being top Japanese finisher with Toshihiro Arai of Subaru.

Despite a disappointing run on the last round of the World Championship, the Acropolis Rally, Manfred Stohl has maintained his lead in the Group N World Rally Championship in his Carisma GT, and is keen to make the most of New Zealand’s challenging roads.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Service area at shakedown

"This is one of the nicest rallies because the roads are so good to drive. Here you feel you can really attack, but you must be careful as well. It can be slippery and then it is quite easy to slide off if you are not careful. I want to win, but it is also important to finish", Stohl said.

His most dangerous rival is almost certain to be four-times Group N World Champion Gustavo Trelles, for the Uruguayan knows the rally well and has an enviable record in New Zealand. Trelles also drives a Lancer Evolution and is looking forward to the battle.

"We have been catching Manfred lately and it would be nice to win again in New Zealand. This is a good rally for a Group N car, because you can really use the performance without having to think too much about reliability, but it can still be difficult, especially if it rains", Trelles stated.

Freddy Loix with engineer Olivier Maroselli