The 2001 FIA World Rally Championship is likely to be one of the closest fought in the history of the sport, and the series kicked off today as the teams made their final preparations for the season-opener, the Rallye Monte Carlo.

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

The tiny principality of Monaco may play host to the famous Rallye Monte Carlo, but the competition is fought out over the French mountain roads to the north and northwest of the glamorous Riviera resort. It is one of the trickiest and most unpredictable events in the calendar where crews encounter everything from dry and wet asphalt to snow and ice, probably all in the same stage, and bravery and driver skill play a huge role in the outcome. In recent weeks Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart - like many of its rivals - has struggled to find snow conditions for testing and the basis of its preparations has been on dry and wet set-ups. However, during today’s shakedown test in the Alpes-Maritimes, 60 kilometres to the north of Monaco, temperatures dipped to zero and heavy snowfall provided a last minute opportunity for teams to hone their set-ups for what is predicted to be a ’white’ rally.

Four-times World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen is aiming for a third consecutive victory in Monte Carlo, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver having raised the prized trophy in 1999 and 2000.

"In the last two weeks we have now had all the weather conditions", commented Tommi. "During our test it was raining, the first two days of the recce were dry and now we have snow! I think we didn’t really expect this. I am quite happy though because we have good experience here, and good base set-ups to work from, so I think things will be fine for us. I can’t remember so much snow here before. Sure, we normally get snow on the higher stages, but now there is a lot and more is expected on Thursday and Friday. For us though, I think we are well prepared and have a good chance. We will see, but we must concentrate a lot".

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

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets, driving the Mitsubishi Carisma GT, are full of expectation for the season ahead. "The car is much more stable with the longer wheel travel at the rear", commented Freddy. "The weather now is very different to our testing conditions and we are just looking at finding a good balance for the snow, but I think it is the same for everyone. For the tyres, I think the limit to two snow and two racing will make decisions a bit easier, but we will see - this is a very unpredictable event".

Mitsubishi Motors’ Group N drivers took an unprecedented 14 wins from 14 starts in 2000 and, such is their domination, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Carisma GTs start as favourites for victory this year.

Manfred Stohl, holder of the FIA World Cup for Drivers of Production Cars, is looking forward to the season ahead, he and co-driver Peter Muller starting not only as title holders but winners of the 2000 Rally Monte Carlo in their Mitsubishi Carisma GT.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N M. Stohl / I. Petrasko