CATALUNYA SHAKEDOWN/MITSUBISHI MOTORS/2001 WRC

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, is one of the favourites for victory on the fourth round of the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship, Spain’s Rallye Catalunya. Mitsubishi is well placed to extend its World Championship lead, as Makinen can count on strong support from Carisma GT driver Freddy Loix.

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

Mitsubishi Motors drivers are also hoping to extend their winning run in the Group N production category to an amazing 18th consecutive rally. With no fewer than 15 drivers from around the world driving Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions and Mitsubishi Carisma GTs, the odds are strongly in Mitsubishi’s favour.

Catalunya marks the true beginning of spring for the World Rally Championship. After three rallies run in bad weather, warm sunshine and dry roads have greeted competitors in the wooded hills of north-eastern Spain during the practice period and the forecast remains good for the rally itself. The weather provides a particularly strong contrast to the mud and torrential rain in Portugal 10 days ago and the event should be a test of pure performance, with dry asphalt roads placing considerable stress on tyres and brakes. The rally is one of Spain’s biggest sports events, with thousands of fans from all parts of Europe flooding the Costa Brava resort of Lloret de Mar, north-east of Barcelona, to catch a glimpse of the stars. Indeed, thousands flocked to the shakedown test today, eager to see the cars and stars in action for the first time. To add to the attraction, the rally has the best entry yet this year, with no fewer than seven factory teams taking part.

World Championship leader Tommi Makinen and fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki were in fine form at the pre-rally shakedown test, concentrating on last-minute suspension adjustments to their Michelin-equipped Lancer Evolution as they aim for their third win of the season.

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

"There are quite a lot of different stages, which is nice, because after so many years of the same stages, it was getting a bit like circuit driving. The car is very good with the new suspension, especially when it is bumpy, and I think we can do well", Makinen said.

Belgians Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have a fine record in Catalunya and will be looking for another points score in the Carisma GT, despite facing the strongest opposition of the season.

"It’s good. It’s half like doing a new rally this year. The second day will be difficult, but so will the third, even though it is shorter, because we have to do three stages on one set of tyres and tyre wear will be important. The car feels good and I hope that we can do well", Loix stated.

The likely favourite in Group N is Uruguay’s four-times World Champion Gustavo Trelles, driving a Lancer Evolution. Trelles has huge experience of the rally and the conditions and will certainly be the man to beat.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gr.N
G. Trelles / J. del Buono

"When I first came to Europe, I started rallying in Spain, so it is almost like a home for me. I like this rally very much and I think we have a good chance, but of course, anything can happen", Trelles commented.

His main rival could well be Argentina’s Gabriel Pozzo, driving another Lancer Evolution. Pozzo has shown great promise, but has limited experience of rallying on asphalt.

"This sort of rally is still new to me and it will not be easy to beat Gustavo here. Still, it is important to learn and for me, the main thing is to finish", Pozzo stated.

Another man to watch will be Swedish legend Stig Blomqvist, the 1984 World Champion. Driving a Carisma GT, Blomqvist has already shown that he can take on and beat younger rivals. Other possible front runners include Argentine driver Marcos Ligato, who performed exceptionally well in Portugal in his Lancer Evolution, Belgian Bob Colsoul and Italy’s Fabio Frisiero, who both drive a Carisma GTs, and Lebanon’s Roger Feghali, driving a Lancer Evolution.

The rally covers 1,815 kilometres and begins on Friday morning. The first leg is the shortest and likely to be the most straightforward, with three familiar stages done twice in the mountains around Vic and Sant Hilari. The six stages total 101 kilometres.