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