Rallye de Portugal 1999
Monday 22 March
COMMUNIQUE 3

MITSUBISHI CARISMA DRIVER GRONHOLM LIES FIFTH IN PORTUGAL

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart newcomer Marcus Gronholm has made an excellent start to the Rally of Portugal, the fourth round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship. The Mitsubishi Carisma GT driver lies in fifth place after the first leg in only his first drive in the car.

The rally is Portugal’s biggest sporting event and as usual, vast numbers of spectators have thronged the route, basking in bright sunshine and spring-like temperatures. The crowds gather everywhere, through bustling towns and villages which lead to the tiny dirt tracks through the remote mountains, where the event is won and lost.

Marcus Gronholm and fellow Finn Timo Rautiainen have put in a sensational performance on their first rally for Mitsubishi. Gronholm has taken to the Michelin-shod Carisma GT instantly and has been fighting with the leaders from the start.

"It’s quite OK. The car is so easy to drive and you do not need to spend much time learning it. We have had no problems apart from sliding a bit wide on one corner of stage six," Gronholm said.

World Rally Championship leader Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki have had a somewhat frustrating day in their Lancer Evolution and finish the day ninth. Makinen has had a minor problem that has affected the front differential, but he retains high hopes of scoring points and adding to his World Championship lead.

"It has not been such a good day for us, but the car felt better on the last few stages and I am sure it will be good tomorrow. There is a long way to go yet," Makinen commented.

"Marcus has driven superbly. To be in fifth place in this company with times close to Didier Auriol and Carlos Sainz is highly creditable. Running fifth on the road tomorrow should help him. Obviously, we’re disappointed that we’ve struggled with Tommi. He hasn’t been able to go at the sort of speed we would have wanted, but hopefully we can give him a good, strong car tomorrow. Things can and will get better," said Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Phil Short.

Mitsubishi drivers have waged a thrilling battle for the Group N production class, which is traditionally dominated by Lancer Evolutions and Carisma GTs. Portuguese driver Miguel Campos leads Jouko Puhakka by nearly one minute. With Gustavo Trelles in third Mitsubishi hold the top three place.

The second leg is the longest and possibly the toughest. It includes 10 special stages covering 180 kilometres to the south, around Viseu and Arganil.