P22 MRE

1997
Unlike her sister P2 MRE, P22 had a much longer - and much successful - career. She was the first works Evo IV on the stages, and driven by none other than Tommi Mäkinen and Seppo Harjanne. The debut went well, but the changing conditions and the big competition meant that the duo had to settle for 3rd after leading the rally earlier on.

The all-new Evo IV showed immediate promise in MC (Mitsubishi)

The next event for P22 was the TAP Rallye Portugal. This event went down historic for both Mitsubishi and technology: Mäkinen won the rally, thus the Evo IV became the first car equipped with a sequential gearbox to win a WRC round. And also 'by a country mile', as the Aussies would say, as the winning margin was over 4 minutes!

Writing history - once again. (Flickr)

Her last rally in 1997 was the infamous Acropolis Rally; she was piloted once again by the Mäkinen/Harjanne duo. The rally was possibly the toughest Acropolis up to that date, as some teams began considering running their Safari kits in 1998. Neverthless, they clinched the 3rd place (after they swapped with team-mate Burns) and extended Mäkinen's lead in the championship.

It's always good to be on the podium of the Acropolis

1998
She returned for the 1998 season on the Monte Carlo Rally - exactly where she debuted one year before. Again piloted by Tommi Mäkinen, the change was Risto Mannisenmäki replacing the retiring Seppo Harjanne. The event started well, as the new pairing was leading, but on the final day they crashed into a ravine - and out of the rally.

Still in and leading the rally... not for long. (Mitsubishi)

Whereabouts
After the crash in MC, the car was badly damaged, and so it was rebuilt as an Evo V test car. Thanks to Kristian Svendsen who found a video of the test and pointed this out! Though it is still likely it was scrapped along the way, but who knows...

During testing, now as an Evo V (Ralisasul)

During testing, now as an Evo V (Ralisasul)

Track record
Starts: 4
Wins: 1 (1997 TAP Rallye Portugal)
Podiums: 3 (1997 Rallye Monte Carlo, TAP Rallye Portugal & Acropolis Rally)
Retirements: 1 (1998 Rallye Monte Carlo)