After four rallies of a differing nature, the FIA World Rally Championship contenders are now looking ahead to six loose surface events, albeit each with its own unique character. Despite a five week break between Spain and the next round in South America, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart has been on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus testing the Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT for the sixth round of the series, the Rally of Cyprus (1-3 June).

Run to World Championship regulations for the first time last year, the Rally of Cyprus proved to be a stern test of man and machinery. Rough, slow and twisty roads, combined with searing summer heat and in-car temperatures that topped 50 degrees, took their toll but, with last year’s technical data as a competitive benchmark, the team is optimistic of maintaining its present form.

Finnish test driver Lasse Lampi undertook the initial three days, using the settings from Portugal, and last year’s Cyprus data, as a tuning base before handing over to four-times World Champion Tommi Makinen. The team then focused its attention on engine cooling and braking performance, tyres and driver comfort - all significant factors in what could again be high temperatures. Keeping the driver cool and alert in hot weather also enables him to push longer and harder during a stage, and modifications to the roof air vent, and the addition of in-car fans, have created better air flow in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution/Carisma GT, most significantly on the slower stages, of which there are many in Cyprus.

"For sure there is a big difference this year", commented Tommi. "The car is much better and I’m happy that the team has done a lot of work to make this happen. It is behaving and turning in very well, which is so important here because the roads are so twisty. I also did work with different tyre compounds and for some of the time we were on a road much more abrasive than we expect to find on the rally. They worked well, so I think this should also be good for us. And, what they have done with the air flow, yes it makes it much easier for us!"

By Cyprus Rally standards, the weather was a cool 20 degrees with intermittent rain in the Troodos mountains, yet a warmer 20-25 degrees on the coast. Conditions this year could well be varied, especially as the event’s date has moved from September to June, however, with over 600 kilometres completed, the team is well prepared for another competitive outing.

The FIA World Rally Championship contenders now take a well-earned break until the fifth round of the series starts on 3 May. Rally Argentina is the only event based in the Americas and poses yet more challenges for the crews and engineers. Rock-strewn stages and energy-sapping altitude conspire to make it another of the toughest gravel events in the Championship, but the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has reigned supreme in the past. A hat-trick of wins by Tommi Makinen between 1996 and 1998 put him firmly in contention for victory, while team-mate Freddy Loix finished a fine fifth in only his second attempt last year.