Merry Christmas!

Well, another year has passed, and now most people are still rushing to get things done before Christmas. I'd like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! The blog's been on a slow burn, but I tried to speed things up this year (with one post per month, not much, but the farther the topic goes back in time, the harder it is to find infos and pictures). But not much ago the blog has welcomed its 24000th visitor, which is quite great! I hope you'll stick with me in the coming times as well.

Here's a couple of pictures of Ralliart's test in Rovaniemi from the December of 2000, with Tommi giving Santa a ride in his own slide!

I'm sure they went a little sideways later... (Mitsubishi)

Tommi and Joulupukki, with S44 TMR in the background (Mitsubishi)

Retro Rumour Mill - Abu Dhabi and Mitsubishi?

Well, this time a bit of an ancient, but interesting rumour regarding Mitsubishi and Abu Dhabi. Many of you know that Abu Dhabi entered the sport as a big sponsor in 2007 as part of the Ford WRT from Finland onwards. Also, MML prepared an update for the Lancer WRC05, which they claimed made the car 0.5s/km faster than before. Two things that has nothing in common at first sight - and since this is a rumour, take this with a grain of salt -, it might have had. Theory says that Abu Dhabi contacted MML and Mitsubishi about a full-time works return to the series. However, Mitsubishi didn't want it in the end (because of the new direction they had and have at the moment), and so Abu Dhabi went to Cumbria instead. It would have been very interesting to see this come together if it was really true (car/drivers-wise, etc.), but unfortunately it didn't. However, they got as far as decorating up a Lancer WRC with Abu Dhabi colours - it would have looked good if it became a reality. At least we got a better car out of this whole thing in the end, which pretty much kept it alive as long as it is.

Unfortunately, this never became a reality... The WRC07 in Abu Dhabi colours (internet)

N2 APC

This car - just like sister N1 APC - was an APRC-exclusive car, with her being assigned to then up-and-coming Richard Burns. Their first event together was the 1996 Rally of Thailand. They were mixing it up with Mäkinen, Mcrae and Eriksson, but on the last stage of the first day they had a problem, hit a tree, rolled and retired.

Their second event together (there was Indonesia, but no English plates were put on those cars) was the Petronas Rally of Malaysia. The car got a Petronas livery for this event, and it went very well, as they finished 2nd overall!

Podium of the Petronas Rally of Malaysia 1996 (McKlein)

Next up was the Smokefree Rally New Zealand, and the Lancers sported a Rothmans livery this time. The event was star-studded again, but Mäkinen and Possum Bourne crashed, and that left Burns in the lead with Eriksson closing in. However, the Briton did just enough to keep his lead, and win his first major international event.

Smokefree Rally New Zealand 1996 (response.jp)

Her last known event was the 1996 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, again with Burns. The drivers' championship already went to Eriksson, but Mitsubishi looked to retain their manufacturers' title. Burns couldn't answer Ari Vatanen's times, and had to settle for 2nd; however, a 1-2-3 finish still ensured the Title and good spirits.

The three musketeers, or N1 APC, N2 APC and the Japanese car lining up for the start (Mitsubishi)

1996 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally

Whereabouts

Same goes for this as N1 APC: not much possibility for its survival, but if it made its way somehow into a collector, it can still be around somewhere.

Track recod

Starts: 4

Wins: 1 - 1996 Rally New Zealand

Podiums: 3

• 1996 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally
• 1996 Rally New Zealand
• 1996 Petronas Rally of Malaysia

Retirements: 1 - 1996 Rally of Indonesia (Accident)

N1 APC

In rallying heyday of the '90s, there was a championship besides the WRC which was almost as important for the Japanese manufacturers as the big series itself - the now often overlooked and forgotten about Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, or APRC. The series was prestigious, and the events so special that many times the manufacturers called for specialist drivers - such as multiple times Dakar and Safari Rally winner Ari Vatanen, Asia-specialist Kenneth Eriksson, Kiwi Possum Bourne, and also Dakar Rally and APRC champion Kenjiro Shinozuka. Of course, besides these drivers, the top WRC stars were regular participants, with Mäkinen, Sainz, McRae, Burns, Kankkunen and Liatti taking part as well.

After this little intro, let's get back to the Mitsubishi part in all this. For 1996, Ralliart prepared two cars (or numberplates) for APRC use: N1 & N2 APC; these cars were often partnered by Shinozuka's RHD, Ralliart Japan-prepared Lancer. N1's first event was the 1996 Rally of Thailand, with the crew of Tommi Mäkinen and Seppo Harjanne. It is undclear as to what happened to them, but they didn't finish.

No info or pics, just this bad quality cutout of a video... 1996 Rally of Thailand

Her next documented deployment was the Rally New Zealand, again with Mäkinen. They were leading after the first day with a big gab behind them, but they hit a treestump on the second day and had to retire.

1996 Smokefree Rally New Zealand

Her final event was also the very last running of the infamous Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, but this time her driver was Ari Vatanen, multiple time Safari and Dakar Rally winner, 1979 World Rally Champion. He bid farewell to the car and the rally in style, winning it without doing any recce! Also, a 1-2-3 finish ensured Mitsubishi successfully defended their manufacturers' title in the APRC.

Hong Kong-Beijing Rally 1996 (Response.jp)

Whereabouts
This was an APRC-exclusive car, and given the fact that the Evo IV was already knocking on the door and this car just having done an endurance gravel event, there's not much chance for it still being around, although it's possible.

Track record (confirmed starts only)
Starts: 3
Wins: 1

• 1996 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally

Podiums: 1 (1996 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally)
Retirements: 2

• 1996 Rally of Indonesia - unknown
• 1996 Smokefree Rally New Zealand -  Lost wheel

N7 MRE

N7 MRE was the twin car of N6 MRE - therefore she began her career in 1996 in Argentina as well, just she was piloted by the up-and-coming British driver, Richard Burns. The event was a first for everyone - the team, Tommi, and Richard. Despite that, Mäkinen won - and Burns arrived at the finish in 4th overall. Not bad at all!


Her second event was the Rally Australia, again with Burns. Despite having very small experience of the event, they finished 5th, and almost beat Colin McRae, the outgoing World Champion.

1996 Rally Australia (McKlein)

1997
In 1997, Mitsubishi was still using the trick that only Mäkinen was doing all the events, while Burns was on deployment in the APRC, and on selected WRC rounds. When the 2nd factory car was not present, Uwe Nittel, the 1996 Gr. N champion was nominated as point scorer in a Ralliart Germany Lancer, to be exact, N7 MRE. The season started well in Monte-Carlo, with them finishing 5th, despite having to change a wheel on day 3.

1997 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Mitsubishi)

Next up was the Rally Sweden, a quite harsh learning ground for any non-Nordic driver. Nittel was doing according to this, and almost had a decent result, but two stages before the end they went off and hit a tree.

1997 Rally Sweden (Mitsubishi)

They returned to action in Spain, the first real tarmac rally of the season. Nittel was driving very carefully, but he had a chance to get 6th on the final stage. He went off though, and had to complete the rally with one suspension missing, and only finished 8th.

1997 Rally Catalunya (Mitsubishi)

As was the tradition for many years, shortly after Spain was the Tour de Corse. They had quite a disadvantage here with the old Evo III against the Kit Cars and the WRCs, and so it showed. They made stage times in the 5th-10th zone, and ended up 8th after encountering some transmission problems.

1997 Tour de Corse (Mitsubishi)

For Greece, Nittel was carrying #10 as this was the first time three works cars were present at the same rally. Interestingly though, they finished 6th, their second points scoring finish after Monte-Carlo. Unfortunately, so far I wasn't able to find a picture of them.

After missing New Zealand, they returned on Rally Finland. Again, not an easy rally, but they kept themselves together, and finished 7th - not bad considering they were the fastest of the non-Finnish drivers!

1997 Rally Finland (Mitsubishi)

Their last WRC event of the season was the Sanremo Rally. They were doing quite well against the better cars, and even had a pair of 2nd-fastest stage times, but went off on SS16 and had to retire.

1997 Sanremo Rally (Mitsubishi)

To close the season, they entered the Golden Tulip Rally (now called Hellendoorn Rally), part of the ERC. However, this didn't turn out to be a good occasion, as they crashed out.

Cropped from a video, the only sight I have found of them - 1997 Golden Tulip Rally

Whereabouts
The car wasn't seen after 1997, but since it was at Ralliart Germany, it could have survived, but crashing on its last known rally might not have helped. I have no info on this matter. So, if You have any, please contact me!

Track record
Starts: 10
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Best result: 4th - 1996 Rally Argentina
Retirements: 2

• 1997 Sanremo Rally - accident
• 1997 Golden Tulip Rally - accident

N6 MRE

The second group of 1996 built cars appeared in Argentina, with N6 MRE being assigned to Mäkinen, and N7 MRE to Richard Burns. This was everybody's first Rally Argentina - neither Tommi, nor Richard, nor the team has ever contested this event. Finns always do well here - and Mäkinen was no exception to this, as the fast stages resemble the ones in Finland. So he ran home with the win, and Burns also collected important points for his 4th place.

1996 Rally Argentina (members.tripod.com)

She returned at the Rally Australia, again as Mäkinen's car, and with Petronas livery. This was a very important event, as Mäkinen could seal his first world title. To make him work for that, there were very bad conditions, with rain and therefore always changing grip. However, they grabbed the lead on the first day, and never gave it away, bringing Tommi his 5th win of the season and his first world title.

1996 Rally Australia (gtplanet.net)

1996 Rally Australia podium (Brian Long: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo: The road car & WRC story)

Whereabouts
1997 saw a complete change in the model line, which of course meant that the factory team was using the new cars as well. No data on what happened to this car, but it might have been used as a Safari recce car.

Track record
Starts: 2
Wins: 2

• 1996 Rally Argentina 
• 1996 Rally Australia

Podiums: 2

N4 MRE

N4 MRE was the first of the 1996 batch of Evo III cars, and also one that started her life as a III, and wasn't a rebuilt II. Her first rally was the Safari, which is always a very difficult event. None the less, Mäkinen won it after he slowed down a bit (before the event, there was a serious concern as Tommi basically wrote the car off during testing as he was driving so hard, but luckily he understood what he had to do).

1996 Safari Rally (internet)

Whereabouts
Not so strangely to a Safari car, her career was done as a works car. It is possible that the shell was used for later Safari recce drives (like P55 MRE from the Evo IV's), but no other competition. Now she is in Andrew Cowan's private museum, sitting next to Burns' 1998 Safari-winning P33 MRE.

Track record
Starts: 1
Wins: 1

• 1996 Safari Rally

Podiums: 1

An update... again

Well, here we go again, as I feel that I have to communicate a couple of things. First of all, thank you! Almost 19.000 visitors is quite an achievement - especially for a topic that is not that popular as - let's say - Gr.B Audis would be. On this note, I have to say there's no stopping, although my writing speed has decreased significantly since the start of the blog - I have a lot of university things going on (and this summer I'm spending my internship as well, so...), and also I'd like to believe that the articles (if you'd dare to call them that :)) have gotten a bit better, and making better posts about cars that have a lot more history than the ones I started with takes time. BUT. Since I've reached the end of the WRC04/05/07 line, the next cars will be the Evo IIIs, so some speedier post will come hopefully.

Also, I'm planning posts about second line cars - cars with works parts or connections, some active / faded off projects like the new R5 car, a little ode to the Evolution series in the twighlight of its life, and maybe even a little lookout for Dakar cars - as the topics are limited (but still there are many), I'd like to stretch the blog a bit - preferably, that way I'll reach some other guys that may find the blog a bit too one-sided at the moment. However, I want to thank you all for committing to the blog, with many of you asking questions and pointing out things I didn't know.

Naturally, updating the data of the cars is continuous, as four Lancer WRCs (two Step2s and two WRC07s) are competing regularly, with some surprises here and there.

This is the end of this drawn-out update, hopefully you'll stick to visiting the blog, as more good things will come.

KR05 ZKK

And we always have one of these cars, don't we? The one that pops up suddenly, no info about where it came from and in this case where it is. This car might have had the same story as Peugeot's last 307 WRCs, which were only just completed or half completed chassis'. So this car was likely caught in a bubble with being half ready, and given the numberplate, it fits nicely with ZKL and ZKJ - just it didn't compete till mid 2009! Although no official chassis number is known for this car, it is a guess that it is #18. But anyways, onto the story!
Hir first rally was the Amsterdam Rallysprint with Mark van Eldik - who later competed with KR53 YPP and other Lancers, this was his first taste of the car. He won the rally with it in a very strong field, beating 2006 Focus WRCs and others.

2009 Amsterdam Rallysprint (Arjen Groters / menmrally.nl)

After her maiden rally, she was at the RallyDay at Castle Combe, piloted by none other than former Mitsubishi works driver Alister McRae, who flew back to the UK from his home in Australia to drive for MML.

With Alister McRae, RallyDay 2009 (MML Sports)

 Her next event was in Latvia, the championship's closing round, the Rally Latvija - Kuldigas Rudens. Her driver was Ivars Vasaraudzis, but after some problems (a small crash, etc) they finished only 5th.

2009 Rally Latvija (ziemellatvija.diena.lv)

Sporting some cosmetic damage, 2009 Rally Latvija (liepajniekiem.lv)

Next up was the Lausitz Rally with Mark van Eldik, who originally debuted the car. Despite Mark not having much experience on gravel, they were able to secure a victory in very difficult conditions.

Lausitz Rally 2009 (Nico Meyer / ewrc.cz)

Her next event was the Condroz Rally with none other than François Duval. They had a couple of quality opponents in strong cars, but François did what he became famous for - crash out in a spectacular way.

Condroz Rally 2009: before the crash...

...and after (www.tout-le-rallye.be)

2011
After that heavy crash, she only returned in 2011 for the Cambrian Rally, with up-and-coming talent Tom Cave. They didn't disappoint despite Tom's young age, and finished 2nd!

Cambrian Rally 2011 (Simon Clarke - www.sc-photography.co.uk)

Two Czech events followed at the end of the year, the first being the Rally Show Uherský Brod, with her new driver, Martin Březík. They finished 3rd, and with teammate Tlust'ák winning with KX53 BKO, it was a great weekend for the team.

Rally Show Uherský Brod 2011 (Petr Sagner / ewrc.cz)

Her last recorded start is the Mikuláš Rally, with Jan Štěpánek. Despite Jan's first rally in a WRC that was not a Skoda, they did very well, and only a puncture could get them off a certain podium position, but they still managed to finish 4th.

Mikuláš Rally 2011 (Mirek Rihánek / e-motorsport.cz)

Whereabouts
After the Mikuláš Rally, the car (or the numberplate) never returned, and to this day this car is a mistery, given that possibly it has no chassis number, etc. It could have been crashed or the shell used for an other car, or it is sitting in a warehouse, waiting for her next deployment (like KX05 AUR returned after a hefty break).

Track record
Starts: 8
Wins: 2

• Amsterdam Rallysprint 2009
• Lausitz Rally 2009

Podiums: 4 

• Amsterdam Rallysprint 2009
• Lausitz Rally 2009
• Cambrian Rally 2011
• Rally Show Úherský Brod 2011

Retirements: 1

• Rallye du Condroz-Huy 2009 (crash)

V22 MMR

1999
V22 MMR had a quite similar career to her sister, V2 MMR, but given her numberplate, she was Loix's car (except one occasion). She debuted in Sanremo as well, arriving back to the mediterranean town in 4th place.

Solid debut in the Mediterranean, 1999 (Mitsubishi)

2000
Her next duty was the season opener Rallye Monte Carlo. She and her crew had a solid rally, rolling through the finish gate in 6th position.

Yes, you can even do this in Monte Carlo (www.rallylife.cz)

Up next was Spain, where brake pipe issues hampered Freddy's progress, but at least they finished the event, but the 8th place was not what they wanted.

In 2000, Rally Catalunya was almost like the Monte (Mitsubishi)

She then was converted to full Evo 6.5 specification (developed suspension, transmission and chassis), and was the car for Freddy in Finland. Everything went well until a big jump crashed the intercooler and radiator, forcing the crew to retire.

On one of the hundreds of jumps, 2000 Finland (Mitsubishi)

The next round she was used at was Wales Rally, this time paired with no other than Tommi Mäkinen himself. After a very slippery and eventful rally, the crew finished the rally in 3rd position, ending the year on the podium.

Cutting through the thick Welsh mud, 2000 (Mitsubishi)

2001
She returned to her regular driver, Freddy Loix for the 2001 Rallye de Portugal. After some impressive stage times, the transmission gave up.

2001 Portugal (Mitsubishi)

Her next event was Rally Cyprus, sill with Loix. Everything looked good until transmission problems struck, but a 5th place was sill a solid result after an entire loop without front wheel drive.

Cyprus was rougher than usual in 2001 (Mitsubishi)

She was one of the three cars that closed a chapter in Mitsubishi's rallying history: she was present at the very last event, 2001 Rally New Zealand, the team had used the Group A (well, at that point just more or less) cars. The differentials were not working well, and with no manufacturer car retiring, the 11th place was the best they could get.

2001 Rally New Zealand (Mitsubishi)

2003
This update focuses on the 2003 season of the car with James Thompson (thanks for pointing this out Karl Davidson!), which started at the Pirelli International Rally, and with works support. They were among the fastest, but a roll and the lost time meant a bad starting position for day 2, where James spent most of the day catching and passing slower cars. But in the end, they finished 6th overall. Sadly, I can't find any more pictures of this event than this small one.

Pirelli Int'l Rally 2003 (www.pro-rally.co.uk)

Next up was the RSAC Scottish Rally. Not much I could find about this event, but one thing is sure: they retired.

Their 3rd event together was the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, which they finished in 8th place overall. Also, notice the very heavily modified rear suspension on the first picture!

2003 Jim Clark Memorial (flickr)

2003 Jim Clark Memorial (flickr)

2003 Jim Clark Memorial (flickr)

2003 Jim Clark Memorial (Roy Dempster)

Their final event was the Manx International Rally. Also, I couldn't really find much of how this went down, but one thing is sure, they crashed out.

2003 Manx International Rally (Roy Dempster)

Whereabouts
Update: the V22 MMR plate returned on the 2012 Rallylegend with a car that many say is only a replica car. So, still nothing new on this one...

Rally Legend, San Marino, 2012

Update #2: after seeing the pictures of the car with Thompson, I couldn't point at what was so familiar. After 5 minutes, I realized I saw the right rear door somewhere before...

Yes, the door on the right is certainly from V22 MMR (www.duen.hu)

What makes this interesting is that the picture was taken at the TRT shop while X3 MMR was under rebuild. Of course, it could have come with the spares package, but I doubt that. Well, X3 is almost certainly X3 (see the post of that car for more on that), but this puts up a few  questions. Here we go again... :)

Update 2020: alongside W4 MMR (and recce cars S6 and V77 MMR), V22 appeared in an in-house Ralliart promo video, with Loix driving her. The video could have taken place around RAC Rally that year given the location and conditions. Obviously Mäkinen drove V22 on the RAC, which would indicate this was after the event, but Ralliart was never afraid to put some random numberplates on cars, so...

During a test in 2000 (VHS Rallies / Youtube)

During a test in 2000 (VHS Rallies / Youtube)

During a test in 2000 (VHS Rallies / Youtube)

Track records:
Starts: 12
Wins: 0
Podium finishes: 1 (2000 Wales Rally GB)
Best finish: 3rd (2000 Wales Rally GB)
Retirements: 3  

•  2001 Rallye de Portugal (clutch)
• 2003 RSAC Scottish Rally
• 2003 Manx International Rally (accident)