The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki have won two of the four special stages during today’s second leg to hold second overall going into the final day of Rallye Monte Carlo competition. Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are eighth overnight, and would be higher up the leaderboard but for time penalties in service.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers look set to continue their winning run in the Group N production class. Swiss driver Olivier Gillet is leading in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT, with Italy’s Gianluigi Galli holding second in another Carisma GT. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Carisma GT drivers hold seven of the first nine places in Group N.

Today’s leg to the northwest of Monte Carlo has seen fanatical support from local fans that have trekked into the stages, in sub-zero temperatures, to witness the world’s finest rally drivers in action. Based around the town of Digne Les Bains in the Alpes Maritimes, conditions have been sunny, albeit mixed, with tyre decisions posing yet more dilemmas for the contenders. The drama started early again today when Subaru withdrew Richard Burns after the Briton had experienced engine problems coming into the Monaco parc ferme late last night. However, unlike yesterday’s terrific rate of attrition, only one other competitor has retired, leaving 33 crews to start tomorrow’s third and final leg.

The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki ruled supreme this morning, the Finnish Lancer Evolution pairing winning the two opening stages to slash the deficit to Ford’s Colin McRae to just 2.5 seconds. Again, a mixture of dry, icy and snowy conditions in these two stages meant a difficult tyre choice, but Makinen could not have chosen better than Michelin’s half studded intermediates.

"I’ve had a good day", said Tommi. "I have not made any major mistakes, chose the right tyres and had a good pace. I always enjoy and go well on the Sisteron stage. Our position is the result of a lot of preparation work and much concentration from me. The improvements at the rear of the car make it respond well over the rough and bumpy stages, so overall I am very happy with our developments. Tomorrow will be another hard and interesting day with more difficult decisions".

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

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets were in the thick of an intense battle with Hyundai driver Alister McRae earlier, but the Mitsubishi Carisma GT crew incurred a 70-second penalty in service as the team experienced a damaged bolt when carrying out a routine suspension change.

"It is disappointing to have lost time again today with problems", said Freddy, "and at the start this morning I was struggling for confidence in the very slippery conditions. The car has been working well, but I’m just finding it difficult on the ice to go quick without making mistakes. The target is to keep our manufacturer’s point and hopefully get one for ourselves".

Olivier Gillet has never previously won Group N on a World Championship rally, but the Swiss amateur is driving with great confidence and looks to be holding an increasingly strong position. "It has been a bit of a surprise to me to be leading today, but it’s a good surprise, and I just hope we can stay in front tomorrow", he said. "Today’s stages have been difficult, but I think tomorrow will also be tough, especially the Turini."

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N O. Gillet / F. Delorme