Bad weather on the high-seas, coupled with engine problems on the ship transporting Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart’s freight on its 10,500 kilometre journey from Argentina to New Zealand, could so nearly have wrecked the team’s final preparations for the forthcoming Rally New Zealand (13-16 July). However, cautious planning by the engineers and logistics co-ordinators - who sent a second shipment from the UK - has ensured both Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix can continue unhampered, despite the late arrival of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT test car and vital spare parts. "If we hadn’t thought that far ahead, we really could have been in a mess", commented engineer David Hudson.

The success of recent development and test work has also put Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart ahead of schedule. Both cars will run with the new high-capacity front and centre differentials, originally planned for Rally Finland next month, significantly improving traction, response, handling and stability.

While the late arrival of the sea-freight has forced a change to the original test plans, and indeed the other teams’ plans, New Zealand’s weather is also making a notable contribution. The North Island has experienced twice the average amount of rainfall in June, driving the team further south out of the muddy roads in the Maramarua Forest to less flooded land at Oparau.

Makinen, running the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in which he will contest the rally, completed 170 kilometres during his final test yesterday (6 July), fine-tuning the new differentials - which ran so successfully in the recent Finnish test - and modifying the suspension and damper settings to suit the conditions. The four-times reigning World Rally Champion said: "I’m really looking forward to this rally and am confident of a good result. The car has advanced since Argentina and Greece, and even more changes are planned for Finland. These things really suit my attacking style of driving and will be a benefit for grip and handling, which are very important in New Zealand".

Team-mate Freddy Loix, who ran 100 kilometres in his Carisma GT today (7 July) in dry and bright conditions, added: "I’m very happy with the set up. The new diffs have made a big difference to the consistency of the car over a rally distance. The test went well and hopefully we’ll get some rain at the final shakedown to confirm the settings in different conditions".

The 2000 Rally New Zealand commences with a ceremonial start in Aotea Square, Auckland on the evening of Thursday 13 July before heading south for the first group of stages around Raglan on Friday. A total of twenty-four stages in a total route of 1,618 kilometres will be completed before the crews return to Manukau for the finish and prize-giving ceremony on Sunday 16 July.