Rally of Great Britain 1999
Sunday 21 November
COMMUNIQUE 2

MITSUBISHI MAKES POSITIVE START
TO RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart’s World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and team-mate Freddy Loix, in a Mitsubishi Carisma GT, are within striking distance of the leaders after the first leg of the Rally of Great Britain, the final round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship.

The first leg on the British round of the World Championship is the shortest of the three, with only 35 kilometres of stages. It is intended primarily for spectators and tens of thousands flocked to stages at Silverstone and nearby stately homes such as Blenheim Palace to catch a glimpse of the action. It is nevertheless a real test for the drivers, for although it is hard to gain much of an advantage, it is all too easy to make a serious mistake on the slippery, muddy roads.

Tommi Makinen, co-driven by fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki, has climbed to seventh place, attacking hard in the afternoon. He had a narrow escape after sliding wide and damaging the bodywork of his Lancer Evolution on the fifth stage. However, he is quietly confident that he can regain time on the long stages ahead in Wales as he bids for his first victory on this event.

"Today has been OK. I chose the wrong tyres this afternoon and it was muddier than I expected, but the car feels good. There is still a long way to go, so I think we have a good chance tomorrow. I will certainly be trying very hard", Makinen said.

Belgian crew Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets are contesting the Rally of Great Britain for the first time and are keen to learn as much as they can. Their Michelin-equipped Carisma GT has run faultlessly and Loix has enjoyed getting to grips with the slippery conditions, holding 13th place.

"It’s been slippery and tricky - it’s certainly difficult to pick tyres for these conditions, but the car has been very good and it is amazing to see so many spectators. I am looking forward to driving in the forests tomorrow", Loix commented.

Mitsubishi traditionally excels in the Group N production class. And Austrian Manfred Stohl is already leading the way in his Carisma GT. Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs are by far and away the most popular choice in Group N and Mitsubishi stands every chance of scoring its 12th win in 14 World Championship rallies this year.

The rally begins in earnest with Monday’s second leg, which takes competitors into the heart of Wales and includes 154 kilometres of stages in the forest of central Wales.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER LEG 1