Rally New Zealand 1999
Saturday 17 July
COMMUNIQUE 4

MAKINEN EXTENDS LEAD
ON NEW ZEALAND RALLY

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen has dominated the second leg of the Rally of New Zealand, the ninth round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship, building up a huge lead in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Mitsubishi has been just as successful in the Group N production category, holding the top three places.

Drier weather meant the smooth, ultra-fast tracks of Northland were less slippery than on the first leg, but they were still treacherous in places thanks to heavy showers and many drivers were caught out, including both Toyota drivers, Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz. Seat’s Harri Rovanpera retired with engine problems on SS17.

Makinen and fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki were in a class of their own in the Michelin-equipped Lancer Evolution and a succession of fastest stage times has given them a near-invincible lead with one day to go.

"It has been a good day, a day like we planned. Of course I am happy. I have some fever but I am really enjoying the driving. There is no need to hurry like yesterday, the pressure is off now", Makinen said.

Belgian team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have climbed the field in their reliable Carisma GT as they continue to learn more about the conditions.

"The car is very good, but the rally is more difficult than I thought. I was thinking it was a twisty rally, but it is fast like Australia or Finland and we need to work a bit more on our pace notes. To practise these stages only twice is not easy", Loix said.

"Tommi has driven perfectly today, although the pressure was off he has still set the pace. Everything is in place for tomorrow. It is more difficult for Freddy, but he is learning all the time and has an outside chance for a manufacturer point", said Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short.

Uruguayan Gustavo Trelles has continued to lead Group N, keeping a safe margin over championship rival Hamed Al-Wahaibi from Oman, despite getting a nasty surprise when the bonnet of his Lancer Evolution flew open on stage thirteen after he forgot to fasten it.

"We have had no problems at all today apart from the bonnet. These stages are very nice in a Group N car, so smooth and fast", Trelles said.

Asia-Pacific Rally Championship Yoshihiro Kataoka was out of luck, slipping off the road in his Lancer Evolution on SS15. Although the car was undamaged, he was unable to get back on the road and was forced to retire.

The last leg of the rally uses some of New Zealand's most famous stages, in Maramarua Forest. Drivers tackle a further seven stages, covering 85 kilometres, before the finish in Manukau on Sunday afternoon.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER LEG 2