Oldalak

2013. március 21., csütörtök

Y4 MMR

2001
Well, just like all of the Y-registration plate works cars, she didn't last long before she was scrapped. But don't rust too much ahead, here's how it started. (But before that, I just found some interesting pics: the car as a half Group A-ish, half WRCar-ish mix, still with RHD, etc... )
Y4 MMR was a show and later test car, and even just days before she was used in Sanremo at the debut of the Evo WRC, you could sit in it at the Geneva Motorshow. Wow, right? Her first (and throughout 2001 only) driver was Freddy Loix. The event was going very bad, as the team had big problems with the transmission, which resulted in sometimes the complete loss of grip, or random wheel-blocking. So, they ended up in 12th position, over 7 minutes behind the leader. Talking of a bad debut, yeah...
Bad debut, worse result, 2001 Sanremo (Mitsubishi)
Her next event was Corsica, and there was little to none hope that the team can sort out the problem in 2 weeks, but the stage times proved to be better: still, the car was slow (was it really? I mean there weren't a rally where the circumstances were good enough to validate the car), but it was improving. Unfortunately this didn't show in the result (12th, 13m behind leader Puras). But this was due to bad weather, punctures, and ECU problems.
Through one of the '1000 corners', as they call the rally (Mitsubishi)
She was then rebuilt to gravel spec, and flewn down to Australia for her first gravel event. The starting position in Australia is more important than anything else, so Freddy starting 3rd was a bad sign... And indeed, the times were bad, but that was also because of some transmission issue. In the end, they ended up in 11th after a two minute penalty.
On the famous, ball-bearing like Aussie gravel, 2001 (Mitsubishi)
Next up was Rally GB, the last event for both Mäkinen and Loix in the team. The rainy weather certainly gave the tone for the event, as many was indeed crying in pain: Mäkinen retired on the first stage, and three (!!!) gearboxes broke in Y4, forcing Loix to retire after an otherwise great performance.
If you think about Rally GB, what comes to your mind? Exactly... (Mitsubishi)
2002
She was used in various test session around 2001 Dec - 2002 Feb.
As a test car again, 2001 Dec. (Mitsubishi)

Her last appearance came on the Rally Sweden, with Jani Paasonen. The duo worked well (unlike one of his teammates), but a broken suspension meant they had to settle for 14th.
2002 Sweden (Internet)
Her last event was Rally Cyprus 2002, with Jani Paasonen. He was the leading Lancer of the three, but had to retire after ripping a wheel off on a concrete kerb.
Interesting to note that Jani only got really worn cars at first... (motorsport.com)

Whereabouts
She was scrapped in 2002, and was never converted to Step2.

Track record
Starts:6
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Best finish: 11th (2001 Rally Australia)
Retirements: 2 (2001 Rally GB & 2002 Rally Cyprus)

2 megjegyzés:

  1. Good call with Y4 having been at the Geneva motor show. I didn't know that, but the info fits perfectly as maybe news for you in turn: I personally saw Y4 MMR at the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA in September 2001!

    VálaszTörlés