Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart drivers Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and Freddy Loix, driving a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, are in good shape for what promises to be the toughest round of the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship, the eighth round, Kenya’s Safari Rally.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers have also been invincible all season in the Group N production category and are expected to set the pace once again. The scene is set for a fascinating duel between the vastly experienced Stig Blomqvist, driving a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions of the youthful Argentine duo Gabriel Pozzo and Marcos Ligato.

The Safari, Africa’s sole World Championship rally, is justly regarded as one of the supreme challenges in motorsport, an epic contest famous worldwide, but this year’s looks as though it will be more than usually difficult. It is being held in July for the first time, after the long rains, which means that the roads are exceptionally rough because there has been no time to repair the ravages of the weather. The first leg is expected to be particularly destructive and, unusually, record times for competitive sections are not expected to be broken. It was cool and overcast at the shakedown test at Whistling Thorns today, southeast of Nairobi and close to the setting for the blockbuster film, Out of Africa. But, despite undergoing a spell of almost wintry weather, there is a keen sense of anticipation in Kenya with five factory teams on hand and huge crowds expected.

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

Joint World Championship leader Tommi Makinen is a former winner of the Safari and he, along with co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, has high hopes of the latest version of the Michelin-shod Lancer Evolution with its revised suspension.

"We have done some tests here just before the recce and it was good. The car seems to be very reliable, the suspension has improved since last year and Michelin has some new tyres that work very well. To me, it seems tougher than last year, but still you will have to drive nearly flat out if you want to win", Makinen commented.

Belgians Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are not regarded as Safari experts, but they have scored points consistently this season and the Carisma GT crew are getting expert advice on this occasion from former victor Ian Duncan, who has helped them in pre-event preparation and will make their gravel notes - the final route check - during the rally.

"To be honest, I lack a bit of experience here. We did the rally last year of course, but we didn’t get a good idea of the pace you have to drive. This year everything feels better and I have a good feeling about the rally. I don’t want to predict a result though - you can’t predict anything on a rally as tough as this", Loix observed.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Freddy Loix with Ian Duncan - former Safari winner - (left) and... a cheetah