MARLBORO MITSUBISHI RALLIART BIDS FOR
MONTE CARLO RALLY SUCCESS

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart is confident of extending its unbeaten run to five rallies on the first round of the 1999 World Rally Championship, the Monte Carlo Rally. It has a powerful team, consisting of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for three-times World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen and a Mitsubishi Carisma GT for Belgian star Freddy Loix.

Crews are braced for what promises to be one of the most demanding Monte Carlo Rallies in years. It was cool and damp in Monaco on Sunday, but more snow has been forecast for the mountains around Gap where the first special stages are being held on Monday morning, adding to the significant snow falls last week. Tyre choice is bound to be difficult on this winter classic, but Mitsubishi’s drivers are well prepared after thorough testing with Michelin.

Tommi Makinen and fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki are keen to take one of the few major rallies that Mitsubishi has yet to win and thrilled with the latest suspension and engine developments for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

"Everything feels good. We worked hard in the shakedown test to find the perfect settings for dry asphalt, but for sure there will be quite a lot of snow. I feel better than I did this time last year and I don't see why we should not win the World Rally Championship for the fourth year running", Makinen said.

Belgians Fredy Loix and Sven Smeets are taking part in their first rally for Mitsubishi and know there is still plenty to learn.

"The Mitsubishi Carisma feels very stable, very easy to drive, but this is not the easiest rally to choose when you're driving a new car. I'm here to stay on the road and then think about a finish in the points", Loix commented.

"It will be quite difficult around Gap, especially the first stage, which is 48 kilometres. We're as confident as you can be on a rally that's a lottery on the weather and tyre choice. Tommi can win anywhere and we've improved the car – we've done six tests since November. We'll be happy if Freddy scores points", Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Manager Phil Short stated.

Mitsubishi is the hot favourite for the Group N production class with triple World champion Gustavo Trelles from Uruguay in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Manfred Stohl and Spaniard Luis Climent both in Carisma GTs, with a host of highly regarded drivers challenging them.
"I won the Group N class here in 1997 and I think we can have another good season", promised Trelles.

The four-day, 1613-kilometre rally begins in earnest on Monday, with five long, tough stages near Gap, totalling 161 kilometres.

MICHELIN - MITSUBISHI OIL - ENKEI - NGK - OHLINS - OMP -
PIAA - BELLEROSE - PELTOR - SABELT