Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen reckons he has a strong chance of extending his points lead in the fifth round of the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship, the Rally of Argentina, driving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Mitsubishi is in good shape for one of the toughest rounds of the series, as Carisma GT driver Freddy Loix is in just as positive a mood for his 50th World Championship rally.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers will also be the clear favourites for victory in the Group N production car category. Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs have won Group N on every World Championship rally since the beginning of 2000 and the top Latin American drivers are all in Mitsubishis this week.

South America’s only World Championship rally is always one of the highlights of the series. It is a demanding and exceptionally varied rally, with a mixture of fast, slow, twisty, smooth and bumpy roads, with some of the stages climbing to 2000 metres in the foothills of the Andes, snaking up rugged mountain passes and across narrow bridges. Both drivers and cars need to be adaptable, and drivers in particular have to be careful, as many of the roads are lined with rocks that can destroy wheels and suspension in an instant. But the atmosphere is one of the rally’s most memorable features. Based in Cordoba in central Argentina, its roads are part of the country’s motor sport heritage and have witnessed thrilling competition since the days of the legendary town to town races of the 1940s. It is an irresistible draw for the hundreds of thousands of wildly enthusiastic spectators, who troop into the hills to cheer on their heroes every metre of the way.

Makinen, co-driven by fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki, is aiming for a record-breaking fourth victory in Argentina and after a satisfactory recent test in Cyprus with his Michelin-shod Lancer Evolution, the Finn is in fine form, eager to score his third win of the season.

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

"You need a good, relaxed feeling with this rally and at the moment, it looks good for us. The car is handling very well, but this rally is not easy. There are many rocks and I think there are many favourites too. Everybody will be trying very hard", Makinen predicted.

Belgians Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets know just how unforgiving Argentina can be after two difficult attempts at the rally in the past, but Loix is gaining confidence in both his Carisma GT and the conditions.

"The car has been going really well since Tommi’s test in Cyprus. I have never had a Mitsubishi that was so easy to drive on gravel, so I hope we can have a good result here. Last year was not so bad, but this year I want to be faster!" Loix commented.

The target for all Group N drivers will be Mitsubishi’s four-times Group N World Champion, Uruguayan Gustavo Trelles. His experience of production class Lancer Evolutions is unrivalled and he is superb under pressure.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N G. Trelles / J. del Buono

"I know this rally very well and I like the stages, but that doesn’t mean I am the favourite. The Argentine drivers are very good and it will be difficult to beat them here, when they know the roads and have their supporters watching", Trelles said.

His main rival could well be the find of the 2001 season, Marcos Ligato. Driving a Lancer Evolution, the local hero has already shown he can adapt to entirely new terrain and now has a chance to prove his worth on home soil.

"This will be one of the most important rallies of my life. There is a lot of pressure and a lot of interest. I just hope I can meet everyone’s hopes", Ligato stated.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N M. Ligato / R. Garcia