Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen completed his final test of the year in Lapland, the home of Santa Claus

As Christmas approaches, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team has just completed its final test of the year in Lapland, Northern Finland - topically, the home of Santa Claus. Based in Rovaniemi, just below the Arctic Circle in temperatures around minus 15C, the team completed around 800 kilometres of testing in preparation for the 2001 Swedish Rally (9-11 February).

Finnish test driver Lasse Lampi began proceedings, with four-times World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen taking over duties for the last two days of the six day test. Following a successful testing debut for the revised Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT in France early in December, it was time to focus on adapting the car for the only true snow rally in the Championship - Sweden. The team, led by senior engineer Olivier Maroselli and engineer Phil Roach, has been concentrating on the modifications made to the Mitsubishi’s rear wheel arches and suspension.

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

"Basically we have just continued the suspension and set-up work which began at the Monte test", said Olivier Maroselli. "The new rear suspension package gives us better balance, softer setting options and less ’bottoming out’. Obviously when you make a big change at the rear you have to set up the front, the diffs and everything else accordingly. Overall the car is definitely better and more efficient".

"It is feeling good, especially this new rear suspension", added Tommi. "I cannot really compare the performance with last year’s car but it certainly has good balance. I am looking forward to next season very much. We have number seven on the car next year and we will try to make it number one again. That is the only target".

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen did also test Santa Claus' mode of transport