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

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart has entered a powerful team for the Rally of New Zealand, the 10th round of the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship, with cars for World Championship leader Tommi Makinen, Freddy Loix and Toni Gardemeister. Makinen drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, while fellow Finn Toni Gardemeister and Belgian Freddy Loix take the wheel of Mitsubishi Carisma GTs. Once again, Mitsubishis are the most popular choice of car, comprising almost half the entry, and they are also the hot favourites for a 25th consecutive victory in the Group N production class.

It is the first time that the rally has been held in spring and there are hints of warmer conditions, with flowers appearing at the roadside and the first lambs in the fields. In contrast to previous years' wet and rainy conditions, the recce was warm and dry, and today's shakedown test, which was held in the green hills 80 kilometres north of Auckland, was cool, overcast, dry and dusty, and attracted a keen crowd of local enthusiasts, happy to break off from their daily routines to marvel at the visitors and their cars.

Tommi Makinen, who is looking for his 24th win, and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki have a previous New Zealand victory to their credit in their Lancer Evolution, but know they have a fight on their hands starting first in dry, gravelly conditions that could well penalise them.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart T. Gardemeister / P. Lukander

"The gravel is even worse than Australia and I am afraid it could be difficult for us. Still, I have a good feeling with the car and the new rear suspension is very good", Makinen commented.

Finnish crew Toni Gardemeister and Paavo Lukander, who have been registered for manufacturer points by Mitsubishi, will be competing in their Carisma GT for the third time and are keen to make a good impression.

"Crashing in Finland was not good, so we will go carefully, but now I understand the car better and I hope it will be OK. It would be nice if the roads were a bit wet - we would have more grip", Gardemeister said.

Belgian crew Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are looking forward to a new challenge in their Carisma GT.

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

"Its different. It’s slippery, but in a different way with gravel instead of mud. The car is definitely better now, but I don’t know what sort of result we can get", Loix stated.

Mitsubishi Motors drivers are also bidding to set a new landmark in the Group N production category. A victory for either a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or a Mitsubishi Carisma GT would provide Mitsubishi with its 25th consecutive victory in Group N at World Championship level - an extraordinary, unprecedented feat. With drivers including South Americans Gabriel Pozzo and Marcos Ligato on hand, as well as Manfred Stohl, Stig Blomqvist and Reece Jones, Mitsubishi’s prospects are excellent.

Argentina’s Gabriel Pozzo has limited experience of New Zealand, but the talented World Championship leader could well be the man to beat in his Lancer Evolution.

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