After the opening leg of Spanish competition, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki hold fifth position in the Rallye Catalunya/Costa Brava. Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are a fine sixth in one of their favourite events of the 14-round FIA World Rally Championship. In the Group N production car category, Mitsubishi Motors drivers have taken command and Argentina’s rising star Marcos Ligato leads the way in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

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

Clear blue skies, and temperatures that soared to around 30 degrees, were a welcome sight for the 74 competing crews, a stark contrast to the conditions in neighbouring Portugal just two weeks ago. The event has not been without controversy however, and multiple Spanish Champion Jesus Puras, who is driving for newcomers Citroen, was under intense scrutiny yesterday following claims of irregular practice and pace notes. However, late last night the stewards cleared the Spaniard to start and he currently leads the rally in the Xsara T4. Major retirements today include reigning world champion Marcus Gronholm who hit a rock and knocked a wheel off his Peugeot, and nominated Subaru driver Petter Solberg who went off the road. Yet another disaster also struck Colin McRae, the Briton forced out when the engine in his Focus failed to start at the beginning of stage six.

Tommi Makinen, who won his first asphalt event here in Spain in 1997, has demonstrated that the revised Lancer Evolution is a potent force on asphalt as well as snow, ice and gravel. The Finn was fastest on stage two to climb into second, and maintained his position until a brake cooling problem dropped him back to fifth this afternoon. He and Risto Mannisenmaki have nevertheless consistently been in the fight with the mighty Peugeots and Citroens that have a legendary reputation on asphalt, and which hold the top four positions after 101 competitive kilometres.

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

"On the last group of stages this afternoon we had a minor brake problem," commented the Finn. "We don’t know exactly what caused it, but they were overheating towards the end of the stages; maybe it was something to do with the cooling system. We also had a small problem with the gearbox on stage four, but the team will change that at the service tonight. Generally things are ok, and we will look for a positive start tomorrow because everything is still very open."

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have been in fine form and hold sixth position in their Carisma GT. Amid such heated competition, the Belgians have held their own and, but for a half spin on the final stage, would have been some ten seconds closer to the lead. "We made a small mistake on the last stage with a spin six kilometres before the end, but the rest is going quite well," said Freddy. "We try to be a little bit quicker tomorrow, but I don’t know if we can. The competition is very fierce."

Marcos Ligato is a newcomer to the World Championship this season, but despite his limited experience, he has wasted no time in making his mark and he had just slipped into the Group N lead in his Lancer Evolution, merely two seconds ahead of fellow South American Gustavo Trelles.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N M. Ligato / R. Garcia