R2 MRE

Now, let's jump back to 1998, more marticularly to the Evo Vs, the statistically most successful, yet the least used cars in Ralliart's rich history.
R2 MRE (note: at this time there was no Marlboro on the cars, so MRE stood for Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe, whereas MMR stood for Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart, TMR for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, etc.) made her debut on the 5th round of the 1998 season, the Rallye Catalunya in Spain, with Tommi Mäkinen behind the wheel. The car was new as this was also the debut of the works Evo V as well; the car was good straight out of the box, mainly thanks to the wider track and the updated suspensions and differentials. The Mäkinen-Mannisenmäki-Mitsubishi trio arrived back to Salou in 3rd place.

A podium on a debut? Not bad! (Mitsubishi)

As Corsica was the usual follow-up to Spain, she made the short trip to the island, where the event is known as the "rally of the thousand turns". A really fitting title... As Corsica had some personal problems with Mäkinen (in 1997, he hit a cow at 180kph, in 2000 he rolled, in 2001 he crashed and basically ended his codriver's career), this year was just having fun: he had no accidents, but the electronics gave up, sending the crew home earlier than they expected.

The fans didn't get to see them twice... (Mitsubishi)

Her final works event was the 1998 Sanremo Rally, this timw badged as a 'Carisma GT' and was being driven by Richard Burns. Despite his lack of experience of the event, he was looking to finish in 5th position until an electrocincal glitch forced him to give up two places.

On her last works event, the 1998 Sanremo Rally (Mitsubishi)

Whereabouts
She was used as a test car in early 1999 alongside some of the Vs, such as R8 MRE, but after those tests she wasn't seen ever again; but this does not rule out that she exists somewhere, as more and more Mitsus are coming out of their hiding place...

Track record
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1 (1998 Rallye Catalunya)
Best finish: 3rd (1998 Rallye Catalunya)
Retirements: 1 (1998 Corsica Rally)