Acropolis Rally 1999
Tuesday 8 June
COMMUNIQUE 4

MITSUBISHI LANCER DRIVER MAKINEN PUSHES
FOR LEAD ON ACROPOLIS RALLY

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart is the only team with two cars in the top six places of the Acropolis Rally, the eighth round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship, with one day remaining. World Championship leader Tommi Makinen holds third in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, while Freddy Loix is fourth in a Mitsubishi Carisma GT. Mitsubishi holds the top two positions in the Group N class.

The second leg of the tough Greek event caused problems for almost all the top running cars. Heat, dust and rough stages in the forests of central Greece eliminated Ford’s Colin McRae, who retired with gearbox trouble. The event also claimed Juha Kankkunen’s Subaru and the Seat of Piero Liatti - both drivers retiring on leg two.

Triple World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, co-driven by fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki, blasted into the lead after the 11th stage. The pair have a realistic chance of victory, despite dropping to third with minor suspension and brake problems.

"We were unlucky today in a few places, but we are still going. It is difficult to say what will happen in the last leg, but we are still trying hard", he commented.

Belgians Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets showed sparkling form to bid for the lead in their Michelin-shod Carisma GT, only to hit a log and then some rocks that damaged the car. Fortunately the damage was mainly cosmetic and the crew are in good shape for tomorrow’s final leg.

"On this rally, you have to drive a little bit with the head. The drivers in front now are a bit too far ahead. It’s a shame we lost time today, but anything can happen in the last leg", Loix said.

"It’s been a very exciting day. Tommi went well early on, going into the lead and he set two more fastest times after his problems. The last leg will be interesting: we’re fairly close in third place and we feel that Carlos Sainz is within reach. If we have a good, clean run, we can put pressure on Richard Burns too. Freddy also put in some good times and to have two cars in the points on such a tough rally is very pleasing", Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short stated.

Mitsubishi is dominating Group N, thanks to Oman star Hamed Al-Wahaibi, who has paced himself brilliantly in his Lancer Evolution. He is followed by Austrian Manfred Stohl driving a Carisma GT. Rival Gustavo Trelles retired earlier in the day with electrical difficulties.

"It’s great to be in front, but there are still some difficult stages ahead", warned Al-Wahaibi.

The last leg is short, but promises to very competitive, with five stages totalling 90 kilometres.