The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crews of Tommi Makinen/Risto Mannisenmaki and Freddy Loix/Sven Smeets hold sixth and 11th positions respectively at the end of the second leg of the 48th Acropolis Rally.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers have taken command of the Group N production car category however. Argentina’s Gabriel Pozzo continues to lead after two of the rally’s three legs, but he is under pressure from Uruguayan Gustavo Trelles, who also drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and their duel looks set to continue all the way to the finish. Mitsubishi drivers hold five of the top six positions.

Conditions have been no easier than yesterday and soaring temperatures that rose to at least 39 degrees Centigrade have taken their toll on man and machinery. Up in the hills around Mount Parnassos, to the north of Itea, the action has again been fast and furious over the dry rock-strewn stages and two of the factory teams lost cars over the 118 competitive kilometre route. Kenneth Eriksson was the first to hit trouble, a broken turbo in the Hyundai halting him on the road section out to the first stage, and Markko Martin was quick to follow after he sustained a puncture, the knock-on effect resulting in suspension damage to the Subaru.

It has been a day of mixed fortunes for the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers, both of whom have had their share of problems that resulted in dropped time and penalties. However, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution crew of Makinen and Mannisenmaki have powered from an overnight ninth position to sixth, fifth of the registered crews. Some top stage times were mixed with seconds lost with a puncture (SS13) and penalties out of service as the team worked frantically to change all the components on the front left corner of the Lancer Evolution. Even so, Makinen is still on a charge and determined to mount a serious assault over tomorrow’s concluding seven stages.

"The last two stages were quite difficult and the tyre wear was quite bad, but I think it was the same for everybody", said Tommi. "With our very hard compound, the wear was quite high because of the wheel spinning - maybe we could have gone faster with something softer. It seems to be a difficult rally for us, but we’ll try and do what we can. Fortunately there are some more rallies to go in the year!"

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

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have put on a good show in their Carisma GT and maintained seventh, hot on Makinen’s heels, until sustaining damage after a heaving landing in stage 9 which dropped them back. The resulting damage, and additional precautionary work, meant the team mechanics had to work furiously in the searing heat to change the intercooler, wastegate, radiator, suspension components and sump guard in the time allowed and, although the crew incurred penalties for leaving service late, but for the mechanics’ efforts they would be out of the rally. Despite a frustrating 11th, they are in fact seventh of the registered crews and in with a chance of scoring a point for Mitsubishi.

"It’s been a disappointing day", commented Freddy. "We lost a lot of time with road penalties after we landed heavily on a big stone, but I have to say the mechanics did a fantastic job and I’m happy still to be in the rally. We’ve been setting some acceptable times, will try and do the same tomorrow and see where we end up".

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N G. Pozzo / D. Stillo