The Safari Rally - the third round of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship - is the toughest and most gruelling event in the series and, to prepare for this immense challenge, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart has undergone an extensive test to give Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix the best possible chance of victory.

Travelling direct from the frozen forests of the International Swedish Rally, Makinen and Loix swapped their winter jackets for shorts and T-shirts on arrival in Nairobi earlier this week. With temperatures topping 35 degrees conditions are a direct contrast, and searing temperatures, combined with the longest competitive sections found anywhere in the World Rally Championship, will test both man and machinery to their absolute limits.

The bulk of the test work carried out with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was undertaken by test driver Lassi Lampi in January, the Finn completing a four-day test and over 2000 kilometres to improve stability, handling and overall performance in these extreme conditions. On arrival in Nairobi, Belgian Carisma GT driver Freddy Loix and Finnish four-times World Champion Tommi Makinen both completed a further 300 kilometres each on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th February to confirm Lampi's earlier data.

"We used two different roads, one in Ngong and the other off the Mombassa Road," said Makinen. "Although it is hot and dry, the roads are heavily rutted and rocky because of the winter rains, but we were able to test over a variety of different conditions, which is always good. A lot of the work was to confirm Lassi's earlier damper and suspension testing and I feel very confident. The car now handles like a European gravel car, rather than a specific 'safari' car, and I'm happy we can drive the Lancer very hard. The overall performance is better than last year, so much so that our highest top speed is now over 200 km/h."

Adding to his team-mates comments, Freddy Loix said: "Aside from the suspension work, we did a lot of endurance testing with Michelin's new tyre, which is wider and stronger than anything we have ever had before. This was very successful, but obviously on the rally the biggest dilemma will always be the choice of compound, tread and whether or not to use mousse."

Makinen and Loix are now undertaking the reconnaissance for the Safari Rally, however for the first time in history, this is being undertaken in standard 4x4 vehicles and the Mitsubishi crews are using the reliable Pajero all-terrain model. The rally starts in earnest on Friday 25 February and covers almost the length of a normal World Championship event in each day and finishing in Nairobi on Sunday 27 February.