PAASONEN/MITSUBISHI MOTORS/2001 WRC

News No.26
Friday 21 December 2001

JANI PAASONEN JOINS MARLBORO MITSUBISHI
RALLIART FOR SWEDISH RALLY

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart today (21 December) announced that talented Finn Jani Paasonen will drive a third Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC on the 2002 Uddeholm Swedish Rally alongside regular drivers Francois Delecour and Alister McRae.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
Jani Paasonen

The 26-year old Finn from Espoo, co-driven by Arto Kapanen, has a wealth of experience and is no stranger to Mitsubishi, having won the 2000 Finnish Group N Rally Championship at the wheel of one of the manufacturer’s dominant Lancer Evolution VIs. He also has several outright wins to his credit in 2001, his first season in a privately-entered world rally car.

He won the South Swedish Rally, a round of the European Rally Championship, as well as the Mantta Rally, a traditional warm-up for his home event, the Neste Rally Finland. However, it was on Rally Finland where he showed his potential, running as high as third overall, before an accident slowed him and eventually led to his retirement.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
Jani Paasonen

Commenting on the decision to run Paasonen, Team Director John Easton said: "Jani is a young and promising driver who has already shown potential and that he has the speed required to succeed. He already has a relationship with Mitsubishi, having won the 2000 Finnish Group N Championship with the manufacturer, so it will be good to give him the opportunity to show what he can do as part of a manufacturer works team".

The 2002 Swedish Rally begins with a ceremonial start in Karlstad on Thursday 31 January, followed by three days of action on the snow and ice based around Hagfors, north of the host town, before the finish on Sunday 3 February.

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