Sven SMEETS (Co-driver) : on the right
Birth: 12 May, 1972 / Hasselt (Belgium)

Widely regarded as the most promising Belgian, Freddy Loix progressed from domestic events to top four finishes in the World Rally Championship in just three years before taking on the majority of the test driving for Toyota team in 1997. At Mitsubishi, he looks set for stardom.

Very much at home on tarmac, he came to prominence in the F2 arena in Opel Astras, making himself hot property with a string of brilliant drivers at home and abroad in 1995. Nicknamed "Fast Freddy" by his fans at home, the young Belgian made the switch to a 4WD (four wheel drive) cars in '96 and immediately impressed. His programme, backed by Marlboro and Toyota produced a fine second overall on Rally of Portugal, 7th place in Greece and fourth places in Sanremo and Catalunya. In Italy he was the fastest man on the final, all tarmac stages. He also won two National Belgian events - 24 Hours Ypres and Condroz Rally and finished second in Spa. He achieved his "A" seed with a storming drive to second in Portugal in '97 and was fast from the outset in the Toyota Corolla which made its debut at the 1000 Lakes in Finland.

After another season with Toyota, he got his first true World Championship opportunity with Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart in 1999. It was a tough season, in which he was badly injured in a horrific accident on the Safari. But Loix proved that he is a tough competitor by fighting back to win the Ypres Rally for the fourth year running and take a string of encouraging results in the second half of the season, playing a valuable role in helping Makinen retain his title. He looks poised to capitalise on the experience gained.