Following months of development work with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution / Carisma GT, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart has enjoyed a significant about-turn in fortune, winning the Monte Carlo Rally with Tommi Makinen and taking maximum points in the Manufacturers Championship with Thomas Radstrom in Sweden. The third round of the series takes the team to Portugal for the first true gravel round of the series, but it is the asphalt in Spain that the team’s attention has most recently been focused on.

Rallye Catalunya (23-25 March), the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is based in the northeastern town of Lloret de Mar on the famous Costa Brava. It poses a very different challenge to the other asphalt events, in so much as the tarmac varies from leg to leg; the first and third, nearer Lloret de Mar, having a smoother and more slippery surface compared to the second day, around Tarragona, where the surface is much more abrasive.

The fast and flowing conditions in Spain are more akin to racing than rallying and to win, the perfect set-up and tyre choice is critical. With the Lancer Evolution / Carisma GT’s new rear suspension undoubtedly providing the edge Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix were looking for, the focus has firmly been on refining its settings, and that of the engine specification, for yet another unique challenge. With both Makinen and Loix in Japan participating in Mitsubishi’s Champion’s Meeting, Finnish test driver Lasse Lampi undertook the duties, completing approximately 600 kilometres on the roads around the town of Vic.

"It was a very good test, Lasse was very happy", commented Chief Engineer, Bernard Lindauer. "Conditions were not bad, and we had one full day of rain which was a good thing because the weather can be very changeable during the event. Basically we wanted to finalise the set-up of the rear suspension - as there is a lot more grip during this rally than there is in Monte Carlo - and make adjustments for the dry and fast flowing conditions found in Spain. We also did a lot of work with the engine electronics to make the car easier to drive. In the past the drivers have said that the car’s gear shifting quality needs to be improved and they were not getting enough engine braking, both of which have now been solved".

"I think we can say from our recent performances that we’ve made a good step forward", added Lindauer. "Both drivers are very happy, the car is easier to drive and more progressive and we’ve put it back on a good level. But we have to wait until Portugal and Spain where the weather conditions do not require a specialist driver, unlike Monte Carlo and Sweden. I think normally the world rally cars will still have an advantage over us, especially in the front suspension travel and weight distribution, but our feedback from Tommi, Freddy and Lasse suggests they are confident we can be challenging".

The FIA World Rally Championship contenders would normally now be preparing for the legendary Safari Rally, however a change in dates puts this marathon African adventure much later in the calendar. As a consequence, the third round takes the teams to Portugal and the northern coastal town of Porto for the first true gravel event, which takes place between 9-11 March. Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen won in 1997 and team-mate Freddy Loix has enjoyed some of his best results here, including second in 1997 and third in 1998.