MITSUBISHI AIMS FOR
REPEAT VICTORY ON RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart is aiming to conclude 1999 with another victory on the final World Rally Championship round, the Rally of Great Britain. Tommi Makinen has high hopes for the event after clinching the FIA World Rally Championship (subject to FIA confirmation) for the fourth year in succession in Australia. He will be supported by Belgium's Freddy Loix in a Mitsubishi Carisma GT.

The Rally of Great Britain - still widely known by its old name, the RAC Rally - is traditionally the last event in the World Rally Championship season and generally one of the least predictable as well. By late November, the weather in Wales and western England where the rally is fought out is likely to be bad and drivers could face anything from rain to snow, sleet, ice and hail. Even if the sun shines, the forest tracks are likely to be muddy. Regardless of the weather, the crowds will be huge. An estimated 2,000,000 people will throng the route of one of the world's most prestigious rallies.

It will be a special occasion for Makinen and fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki. Makinen is usually constrained by the need to finish to make certain of the World Rally Championship in Britain. But his fine third place in Australia made him World Champion with a rally to spare and he can therefore aim for all-out victory in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, on one of the few major rallies he has yet to win.

"I am looking forward to going to Britain without any pressure. It was great to wrap the title up in Australia. I really want to win this one and beat the British drivers on their home event. I am sure it is going to be very difficult, but we will try our best. Our car is working very well at the moment," Makinen said.

Finnish drivers have a superb record in Britain and Makinen should be in his element, but it will be a tough challenge for Belgians Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets. However, their results are getting better with every rally in their Michelin-shod Mitsubishi Carisma GT and Loix is optimistic.

"Of course it is one of the most difficult rallies, because of the weather. You never know what can happen next, but I have a good feeling to drive the Carisma GT now and I hope we can finish in the points again, just like we did in Australia and Sanremo," Loix commented.

"Although the World Rally Championships are settled, I think that it will be a very interesting rally, as people won't have to drive for championship positions. Tommi has a better chance of winning, because he has had to drive for a particular result in recent years and that pressure has been taken away, which will allow him to give full rein to his talents," said Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short.

"It won't be an easy rally for Freddy, because he has no experience of the British forests, nor the style of driving required. However, we're doing a lot of extra testing with him, much of it in Britain. I'm sure the business of building up his confidence will continue," he added.

Mitsubishis dominate the entry list, with no fewer than 47 entered, making them easily the most popular choice of car. Most of them will contest the Group N production car category, in which the Carisma GT and the Lancer Evolution reign supreme and it will be no surprise if Mitsubishi claims its 12th Group N victory in 14 rallies the year.

Based in Cheltenham in western England, the rally runs from November 21-23 and covers a total of 1765 kilometres, with 22 stages comprising 381 kilometres. The first leg consists of a small number of stages in parks and at race tracks, designed to appeal to spectators. It is based at the famous Silverstone circuit and includes just 34 kilometres of stages. The rally will be won and lost during the second and third legs in the renowned Welsh forests. The second leg heads north-west into central Wales, with eight stages totalling 154 kilometres, while the last leg is not only the longest, but includes the longest stage, covering 44 kilometres in Resolfen in south Wales. Weary competitors will attempt 191 kilometres of stages in the final leg before the ceremonial finish in Cheltenham.