Firstly, congratulations on reaching 50 events. How does it feel?

Good! So far this year is going well for us, we have put in some good times and been fighting hard for points, so I am happy that the confidence and feeling with the Mitsubishi Carisma is getting better and better. I think we also have some good events coming up where we have gone well in the past, so I am looking forward to things continuing to go well for us. The competition is very strong, but I always try to make improvements with the car and myself.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Freddy Loix receives a commemorative plaque for his 50th world rally

How difficult was it to get started in rallying?

Like many things it was difficult because I started a bit for the fun with an old car in Belgium in 1989. It was going quite well, but then later on we needed money to do the whole championship and, although we had good results straightaway - which was important for my sponsors - it is never easy to find lots of money. When I got the official drive with Opel Belgium, then it was much better.

You have a fan club don’t you? Didn’t it help you out a lot in the early years?

Yes, very much. A group of my friends set up the fan club in 1991 to help us raise money. They organised parties and BBQs that people paid to get in to, and that’s how I was able to carry on. Those three or four friends who started it all off also came on rallies with me, doing the servicing, so they knew what was going on and why we needed the money. If we needed new shocks or brakes, they organised another party and with that money we bought the new parts!

Now, the fan club is more about good publicity for the sport and getting Belgian people attending events. This is very important to me. There are many Belgian people who follow rallying, but many of them don’t know the best way to go and watch World Championship events. This is where the fan club helps out, as it is not so easy to do it all on your own.

How much involvement do you have with the fan club members now?

I still have a lot of involvement with them, not only because they are based where my family lives and close to my old workshop in Belgium, but also because they are not just a fan club. Many of those people are friends as well, and I have contact with them every week. Those people are the reason I could start rallying at the age of 18. To get into the World Rally Championship you have to start somewhere and that was the most critical point for me. They helped me achieve this.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Freddy Loix

Tell us about your relationship with Sven?

Me and Sven, we are completely different because I prefer to do some cycling, mountain biking and things like this, whereas Sven is more relaxed - he likes things like billiards and playing cards. But when we’re in the car together, we’re on the same line and we like to do the same thing - go as quick as possible and get good results. We have known each other for seven years now, so it’s a very good relationship.

What memories do you have of your first World Championship event?

My first World Championship rally was Sanremo with the Opel Astra in 1993. It was very good and my best memory was when I went to the first stage and, before we started, the marshal knocked on the window and told me the first three kilometres were ok, but then after that it was thick fog till the end of the stage. It was very very difficult, but ok we finished ninth overall and it was a good event.

Which event brings back particularly special memories for you?

I think also Sanremo with the Celica in 1996 when the event was two days gravel and one on asphalt. It was the first time I’d driven on tarmac with this car - on gravel it wasn’t so good, although not so bad, so it was going to be interesting to see how we got on. On the last day, Carlos (Sainz) and Colin (McRae) were fighting for the victory but I was quickest on the tarmac, so the feeling was very good for me and we had a good result with fourth overall.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Freddy Loix / Sven Smeets

Which event stands out the most, for whatever reason?

I think maybe Catalunya 1998 when I finished second. That year I was in the third car but I was driving very well and fighting for the victory. The feeling was good and we had a great fight with Didier, who eventually won the event.

Which is your favourite event, and why?

Australia. It has nice weather, it’s a nice country, a very well organised event and for me the people are very friendly. It’s definitely my most favourite event. The first time it was very difficult, but after that it was ok and it’s certainly the most different rally in the world I think.

What is your goal for the future?

I don’t want to say a place, like first, second or third. For me, to have good fun driving but at the same time doing good results is the important thing. I try to get the maximum out of the Mitsubishi Carisma, and myself, and make no mistakes, that is always the goal.

And what about the new Mitsubishi Lancer World Rally Car? That must be an exciting project to be involved with from the start.

Yes, a very exciting job. It is something very nice to do, very rewarding because you have a big impact on how good the car is.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Freddy Loix & co-driver Sven Smeets