Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Delecour / D. Grataloup

The 2002 FIA World Rally Championship kicked off in spectacular style last night with the launch of the series at the Grimaldi Forum in the tiny principality of Monaco, host to Rallye Monte Carlo. Over 800 international sporting and business media, along with a host of VIP guests, were in attendance as the seven registered manufacturers unveiled their challengers at one of the most impressive launches since the Championship began in 1973.

This season six of the 14 rounds will also qualify for the newly-named Junior World Rally Championship for drivers of Super 1600 cars, while the remaining eight events will count towards the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship. With the junior series also launched in Monte Carlo, no fewer than 12 manufacturers were represented, marking a significant increase in the popularity and competitiveness of the series.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart A. McRae / D. Senior

Today, however, the teams were into their final preparations for Rallye Monte Carlo, the shakedown test taking place 30 kilometres to the north of Monaco before the ceremonial start this evening. Normally famed for its treacherous snow and ice, the opening round of the series looks set to provide more predictable weather conditions and while temperatures in the village of Sospel dipped to minus five degrees, the sun ultimately shone through leaving a mixture of frost covered and damp roads.

The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crews of François Delecour/Daniel Grataloup and Alister McRae/David Senior are well prepared for this opening round of the series, both having undertaken tests during December and earlier this month. And, with conditions very similar, both were able to spend the final hours before the start of the event confirming tyres and making minor adjustments to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Delecour / D. Grataloup

"The feeling today has been very much like the test, although the engineers made some adjustments to the brakes because I prefer a softer pedal", commented François, who has competed in Monte Carlo no fewer than 14 times and won outright in 1994. "At the moment there is very little ice and although Monte Carlo is famous for these conditions, for me it makes no difference either way. I know the weather here very well; I know exactly what will happen in the mountains…! I have to say I have a very good feeling - I absolutely want to be on the podium on Sunday afternoon". François and Daniel also found time at shakedown to hone their wheel changing skills, the French pair timed at just over two minutes.

Team-mates Alister McRae and David Senior have considerably less experience of the famous Rallye Monte Carlo, however their resolve to kick-start the year with an impressive result is no less. "Monte Carlo is one of the toughest events and I don’t have much experience here, although the conditions should be a bit more favourable this year", said Alister. "I want to wait and see how I feel and see whether the confidence to push is there. If it is, then obviously we’ll be trying hard, but I’m not going to stick my neck out on not only the first event, but also one of the trickiest – sometimes it’s better to watch what the other drivers are up to. François’ knowledge of this event is incredible and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on his tyre choices".

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Alister McRae

This season Alister will also benefit from years of his father’s experience, gravel noter Jimmy McRae switching to Mitsubishi to help his younger son in his first season with the Japanese manufacturer. "This is a new opportunity for Alister and I want to try and help him, just like I did Colin", said five-times British Rally Champion, Jimmy McRae.

Adding to the crews’ comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Chief Engineer Bernard Lindauer said: "We have made a lot of progress since Corsica last year and are constantly progressing the set-up, geometry, springs and roll bars. François, Alister and Lasse are all pulling in the same direction and work in a very similar way and I’m a lot more confident we are understanding the car much better".

The 70th Rally Monte Carlo gets underway this evening with a ceremonial start in Casino Square at 18:30 hrs (local), however the action in the mountains above the principality starts in earnest early Friday morning. Five special stages, 157 competitive kilometres and some of the most famous stages to the northwest await before the crews return at 20:00 hrs tomorrow night.