Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and Freddy Loix, driving a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, are eagerly awaiting the start of the Acropolis Rally, the seventh round of the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship. Makinen leads the World Rally Championship for Drivers and reckons he has a good chance of capitalising on his excellent start to the season.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers are also bidding to maintain their phenomenal record in the Group N production class. Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs remain unbeaten since November 1999 and with drivers such as Uruguay’s Gustavo Trelles and Argentine Gabriel Pozzo on hand, they stand every chance of scoring yet another victory in Greece this weekend.

Teams have made final preparations for the Greek rally in the small Adriatic port of Itea, fettling their cars in searing summer heat on the seafront, 180 kilometres north of the capital, Athens. But while holidaymakers stroll up and down the main street or relax at outdoor restaurants, the drivers have pushed their cars to the limit during their final tests of tyres and suspension on the Bauxite Way, the setting for the shakedown test, which is the last chance to assess their cars before the start. This renowned Acropolis stage twists and turns its way into the mountains of central Greece, where dust and rocks are sure to pose their usual challenge. However, this year’s route is reckoned to be smoother than recent rallies. It will be a test of endurance once more, but it could be the fastest Acropolis of all.

Finns Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki have led the World Championship all season in their Michelin-equipped Lancer Evolution. This is one of the few major rallies they have yet to win and Makinen admits that it will not be easy, especially as he has to run first, because he is the championship leader.

"If you are first car, you are sliding a lot and when just a few cars have done the shakedown, it became a completely different road. I think it’s better after 10 cars have done the stage, but for us there are no tactics. We just try to go as fast as possible", Makinen commented.

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

Freddy Loix and fellow Belgian Sven Smeets have a good Acropolis record and have performed well so far this season in their Carisma GT, but they expect this year’s rally to be notably different.

"It’s not the real Greece any more! The roads are much better and faster, but it’s still going to be hard for the cars and the tyres. It is difficult to predict any result with so many good cars, but we will be trying our best", Loix said.

One of South America’s brightest prospects, Gabriel Pozzo, leads the Group N World Championship in his Lancer Evolution as the season nears its halfway mark and is determined to make the most of his good start.

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