Oldalak

2013. március 8., péntek

V2 MMR

1999
The last pair of cars debuting in 1999 were V2 and V22 MMR, getting in the fight at Rally Sanremo. Mäkinen was driving V2 MMR, and after a great charge on the last stages, he managed to win the rally.
En route to victory, 1999 Sanremo Rally (Mitsubishi)
2000
She returned as the 2000 season kicked off at Monaco. Tommi was driving well, and so was she, and the result was awesome: a victory, which meant she was still undefeated!
Still undefeated, 2000 Monte Carlo (Mitsubishi)
Unfortunately, this streak didn't continue in Spain, where -after some problems- she and her crew came home 4th. Still not bad seeing that the real WRCs were leaving Mitsubishi behind...
In one of the many turns, 2000 Spain (Mitsubishi)
2001
Her final appearance was the 2001 Acropolis Rally. After being a tarmac queen, the tough Greek roads took their mark on her, and after many difficulties, she and her new driver, Loix finished in 9th position.
First taste of gravel, 2001 Cyprus (Mitsubishi)
Her last rally was the 2001 Rally New Zealand, and now Toni Gardemeister was her pilot. The pair couldn't really find each other's strong points, and transmission problems, she ended her career and the rally in 15th place.
Going for 15th, Rally New Zealand 2001 (Mitsubishi)
2002
In 2002, Ralliart Japan signed Katsuhiko Taguchi, and to improve, they entered him in selected events of the British Rally Championship (this was after his participation on the 2001 Cyprus Rally with S44 TMR and the 2001 Rally Hokkaido with W9 MMR). So, the car he used at first was V2 MMR, and on their first rally together, the Wales National Rally (NOT the Rally GB, in 2002 it was still called Network-Q Rally of GB, but again, way too much information :D), they finished 7th overall. Not that bad!
2002 Wales National Rally (www.rallygallery.com)
Their next event was the Scottish Rally, and unfortunately, they had to retire after Taguchi put the car in a ditch. The only worthwhile photos I could find were not downloadable, and I didn't want to printscreen it and all that so here's a link to them: http://www.roydempster.com/album.asp?AlbumID=924&offset=9
Whereabouts
Just found out that she is still amongst us, converted back to original Evo VI spec, and is/was the part of Andrew Cowan's collection.
Mr. Cowan, former Ralliart boss, poses with his former car and V2 MMR


Track record:
Starts: 6
Wins: 2 (1999 Rally Sanremo & 2000 Rallye Monte Carlo)
Podiums: 2 (1999 Rally Sanremo & 2000 Rallye Monte Carlo)
Retirements: 0

3 megjegyzés:

  1. V2 MMR was race in Wales Rally in year 2002, unfortunately, I can't who is the driver which is with No.16

    VálaszTörlés
    Válaszok
    1. Hi!
      Thanks for pointing that out - I completely slipped on the fact that Taguchi did some rounds of the BRC that year, and Wales was one of them. He also did the Jim Clark Memorial and the Scottish Rally. Unfortunately, he did crash the car twice. Will update this article today, but alas, great contribution! Thanks again! ;)

      Törlés