The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki continue to push in the 43rd Rallye Sanremo all too aware that, despite their 11th position, they are sixth of the registered manufacturers. Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets hold 13th in the second Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers have however tightened their grip on the Group N production class. Italy’s Alex Fiorio has maintained his lead in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT, but has come under severe pressure from Uruguayan Gustavo Trelles in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Mitsubishi drivers hold all the points-scoring places in Group N.

The second leg started from the coastal town early this morning and the 62 remaining crews headed north, back into the hills above Sanremo, for eight stages covering the same route as yesterday, albeit with three stages run in reverse. Despite moving into autumn, conditions remained warm and dry, but leaves falling from the trees provided a potential hazard round every corner and the fall-out from this morning’s first two stages was testament to that fact. As the day progressed, temperatures rose and the action up in the hills was a sight to be seen, the fanatical supporters cheering their heroes on as they screeched round the narrow and twisty roads in their state-of-the-art machinery.

Overnight leader Jesus Puras was first to fall victim today when he hit a wall in the opening stage and broke a wheel. Citroen team-mate and third-placed Philippe Bugalski was soon to follow, the Frenchman out when the wiring loom was cut following suspension damage. Peugeot has however taken over the number one slot and Gilles Panizzi has pulled out a 34.5 second advantage over series newcomer, Citroen’s Sebastian Loeb.

Despite rectifying yesterday’s component fault, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers have still struggled to find the optimum set-up on the Lancer Evolution WRCs. Following retirements at the head of the leaderboard, both Makinen and Loix have moved up the order but are finding it difficult to mount a serious assault. "We’ve not had any problems but the car doesn’t feel just quite right", said Tommi. "The biggest problem has been front end grip and the car is rolling too much. There is still development work to do, obviously, so this is a good competition test and we must still push hard to learn as much as possible and at least get a point for the team".

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Loix / S. Smeets

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are 13th. "We have been making changes to the set-up throughout the day and the car is handling better than it was yesterday", he said. "The grip is better but it’s causing more tyre wear at the front, so we’re just working on getting the best possible settings so we can set ourselves up well for Corsica".

Adding to the drivers’ comments, Chief Engineer Bernard Lindauer said: "The car was clearly very difficult to drive yesterday but Freddy’s has been much better today, although we still have one problem on Tommi’s. I think it’s fair to say that the pure Tarmac cars are so far ahead of everyone that the results don’t really reflect an all-round picture. Generally our car appears better than the old one, but we are not on top of the set-up yet and hopefully the gravel rounds in Australia and Great Britain will be more representative of where we are".

Alex Fiorio has shown the form that has made him Italian Group N Champion this year in his Carisma GT and, although Trelles closed in at first, Fiorio was always sure that he could maintain his lead.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N A. Fiorio / E. Cantoni