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)

R22 MRE

I almost forgot about R22 MRE, but luckily I got my mind back in order, so here is the (very) short story.
R22 made her debut alongside R2 at the 1998 Catalunya Rallye, with Richard Burns as her driver. Despite Burns' lack of experience, the crew did well, and finished right behind team-mate Mäkinen in 4th place.

En route to 4th on the Evo V's debut (Mitsubishi)

Her final appearance on an event was the 1998 Corsica Rally, again with Burns. They were doing well (they were podium contenders!) until Richard hit a stone, the lower arm broke, and they had to retire on the liaison back to the service park.

Not much before they hit a stone, 1998 Corsica (Mitsubishi)

Whereabouts
She was used as a test car for Loix prior to the 1999 season, wearing an Evo VI front bumper and rear wing (R2 MRE and S22 TMR make appearances in the video as well): click here. After that, she wasn't seen again.

Track record
Starts: 2
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Best finish: 4th (1998 Rallye Catalunya)
Retirements: 1 (1998 Corsica Rally)

R3 MRE

R3 MRE was one of the Evo Vs that lasted well after they completely dissapeared from the rally stages. She made her debut as a long haul car, first used at the 1998 Rally Argentina as Mäkinen's car (yes, the numberplate rule returns again). The event was great, and despite some problems Mäkinen collected his third straight Argentina win.

Speeding through the spectacular, yet car-killer Argentine scenery (Mitsubishi)

Her next event was the Rallye New Zealand. Despite early problems and some lack of confidence (he crashed out of the previous 3 NZ Rallies!), Mäkinen could fight back and finished a great 3rd.

The NZ stages always favor the Finns... well, not in 1998 (Mitsubishi)

Her last competitive appearance came with the Rally Australia, and as usual -at least until Marlboro came-, the cars were dressed in Winfield-colours. After an event with a lot of interesting happenings (Mäkinen had a penalty for jumping the start, but the start lights and the clock weren't synchronised, and later the penalty was removed; Sainz, who was badly affected by the decision, even said that it's a conspiracy). After a five-way fight for the win on the last day, Mäkinen won; basically, not just the rally, but the championship as well.

Sporting the Winfield livery for the very last time on a very controversial event... (Mitsubishi)

Whereabouts
She was never entered to a rally again, instead, she was used as a test and promotional car in early 1999, but later disappeared. Interestingly, she returned in 2000 for the Marlboro Challenge with Freddy Loix to take on Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari and Max Biaggi's Ducati, and also for some donuts.

One of these vehicles was thought to be dead... (Mitsubishi)

On her last public appearance, now disguised as an Evo VI, 2000 Marlboro Challenge (Mitsubishi)

She hasn't been seen since that, but the fact that she made it at least till 2000 might give a slight chance that she was bought by a private collector.

Track record
Starts: 3
Wins: 2 (1998 Rally Argentina & Rally Australia)
Podiums: 3 (1998 Rally Argentina, Rallye New Zealand & Rally Australia)

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)

Y2 MMR

Well, just a short note here, as there's nothing serious to be reported of a test car that was never used in competition. However, this car had a huge role in the Evo WRC project, so I can't leave her out of the party.

During testing before the Evo WRC's debut, September 2001 (Mitsubishi)

As she was a test car that wasn't even used in 2002, it is certain that she was scrapped, which is understandable as she clocked up more than 2000kms during test sessions in 2001. But to have more than three sentences of this car, here are some pictures during tests and other activities:

The front suspension during testing in the summer of 2001 (Mitsubishi)

The all-new rear suspension of the Evo WRC (Mitsubishi)

The engine bay. A lot of parts are in the same location as they were on the Gr.A Lancers (Mitsubishi)

During testing in the summer of 2001 (Mitsubishi)

Good shot of the cooling ducting, gearbox, engine bay and suspension (Mitsubishi)

X33 MMR

2000
Yes, the time has come, the ever-so-mentioned X33 MMR's story has finally arrived. She -alongside X3- made her debut at the 2000 Rally Corsica, driven by Freddy Loix. Well, the event was cut very short indeed, after he totalled the car 500 metres into the stage, in the very first corner. The reason? "The tyres were cold, and I pushed too much."

Before the crash... (Mitsubishi)

...and after. (Internet)

So, her career as a works car lasted about 20 seconds. Many suspected that she was indeed scrapped after the accident, but life proved them wrong - again.

Whereabouts
After the accident. the car either got got a new chassis (more possible) ot they repaired the original one, and was a show car for Mitsubishi UK, but with all this it didn't have an engine, gearbox, clutch and exhaust. Well, until 2010, nobody -except a few- knew where it went or the fact that it was sold to SUMO Power / JR Motorsport in England. If you haven't seen what they have there... then click here and here.
So, oddly enough, the car with the shortest factory life is still alive, whereas many of her sisters have been destroyed. But you know: turn the right corner...

As a piece of history. Note that she neither wore this design, nor was she driven by Mäkinen (Speedhunters)

Obvoiusly lacking some parts at that time, but at least she is still here (Speedhunters)

Update 2018: The car has been bought by Michael Ehrle in Germany, alongside KP51 RWL.

Track record
Starts: 1
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Best finish: -
Retirements: 1 (2000 Rally Corsica)

X3 MMR

Well, this is a repost thanks to Blogger, but whatever. X3 MMR had a very similar career with her sister, X33 MMR. We don't have to look too far: they both were rolled on their first event, Rally Corsica 2000; if that wasn't enough, it happened on the same stage, although X33 was crashed on the first, while X3 on the last day, and the stage was reversed as well.

Not too much before the crash... (Mitsubishi)

...and after (internet)

2001

She was repaired, and Loix got to drive her in Monte Carlo. Considering that he never did really well there with a Mitsubishi, a 6th place was a great way to start the season.

2001 Rallye Monte Carlo (Mitsubishi)

Interestingly, she was used again by Loix in Sweden. After a couple of trips to the snowbanks, they finished 13th, but given the limited experience he had there, it was no surprise.

With the Marlboro Winter paint scheme, 2001 Rally Sweden (Mitsubishi)

She returned to action in Spain, on the Catalunya Rally, again with Loix. This was one of the best rallies for Loix that year, as he finished just behind Mäkinen in 4th, giving a nice amount of points to Mitsubishi. She didn't return for the remainder of the season.

2001 Rally Catalunya (Mitsubishi)

2002

She returned in 2002 on the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, with Katsuhiko Taguchi, who was doing a partial BRC programme that year (X3 was used after he crashed V2 MMR on the Scottish Rally). However, this partnership didn't start well, as Taguchi crashed the car and had to retire.

2002 Jim Clark Memorial (Mitsubishi)

Her next event was the Hokkaido Rally, which Taguchi did the year before with W9 MMR. This was no help however, as they had to retire after a lot of troubles (punctures, etc.).

2002 Rally Hokkaido (rally.or.jp)

In the TC with Possum Bourne's Impreza, 2002 Rally Hokkaido (rally.or.jp)

2002 Rally Hokkaido (rally.or.jp)

After this, she was used on the International Japan Alpine Rally. Taguchi was put against Toshihiro Arai, driving a works Subaru Impreza WRC. Their fight was short lived though, as Taguchi went off and retired.

Alpine Rally 2002 (McKlein)

After this, she was presented during the 4th Suzuka Word Rally Festival.

Suzuka World Rally Festival 2002 (geocities.jp/iidasyashin)

2003

In 2003, she was bought by Henning Solberg, alongside with other works cars; however, this is one of the darkest period in terms of information, as all the cars were re-registered to Norwegian numberplates, making the identification very hard - and also the lack of pictures and general information. What is sure is that Henning did Rallye Finland 2003 with this car, but the other than that... So Henning, if you're reading this, please help me out! :D

Henning with X3 on the 2003 Rallye Finland (Ilkka Rytkönen)

2007

So, until I don't have info about what this car was up to, I jump to the next certain point. In early 2007, Tamás Tagai, the owner of TRT Europe Ltd. (they grew really big with renting out 207 S2000s and now 208 R5s) bought his dream car, and so X3 MMR ended up in Hungary. They refurbished it and painted it 'TRT orange', and until today I wasn't convinced that the pictures I saw (and now of course I couldn't find them) showed this car with X3 MMR regplates. But, I just found some test pictures with that exact numberplate, so the questionmark whether this car is X3 should be lifted (well, at least it is on of the cars that carried the numberplate, but no info about that...). Interestingly enough, the car appeared with its former Norwegian numberplate at the scrutineering, and all this after it was brought to Slovakia to receive Slovakian plates... But oh well, let this be the smallest of the problems - and as it turned out, it was...

PET for the Duna Rally 2007 (www.rallysport.hu)

They started the event as one of the sensations, but the fun was quickly cut when the right rear wheel left the car just like the left rear did with Mäkinen at the 2000 Acropolis Rally. Retirement #1.

2007 Duna Rally (www.rallysport.hu)

For their next rally, the 2007 Veszprém Rallye, the car received a new livery (a combination of the 2000 and 2001 non-Marlboro liveries), and they were hoping that this time the car can go the distance. But again, it couldn't, this time because of transmission problems. Also, the car has received its new Slovak numberplate by then. Retirement #2.

2007 Veszprém Rallye (www.rallysport.hu)

The next rally for them was the legendary Mecsek Rally, this time on tarmac. However, this was the worst of all in 2007, as they retired on the first stage with a blown engine. Retirement #3.

2007 Mecsek Rally (www.rallysport.hu)

They closed the 2007 season at the Nyirád Rally, which turned out to be bittersweet. It was sweet, because they ended the first loop fighting for the lead (and did so without launch control, ALS, and on old tyres - as Tagai put it, 'there's no point of putting new tyres on it if it can't last a stage'), but on the first stage after service, the engine blew up again. Retirement #4.

2007 Nyirád Rally (www.rallysport.hu)

2008

In 2008, they only did two rallies with the car (which got a new wiring loom in England), but they retired with a blown engine in Nyirád. After that, they showed early promise on the Mecsek Rally (in the only fight I can recall where a 6.5 went head-to-head with a WRC05), but eventually crashed the car pretty badly.

2008 Mecsek Rally (www.rallysport.hu)

Whereabouts

Since then, the car has been repaired, but wasn't brought out to any events. She received the traditional red paint, and she can go as soon as her owner wants to go - the question is if he ever wants to...

After the rebuild, in 2010 (www.duen.hu)

Update 2015:

On TRT's new website, there are two pictures of the car, put out in the arrival room of their HQ, clearly without engine, gearbox and seats. It is rocking a livery close to Loix's from Catalunya 2001.

At TRT HQ in 2015 (www.trt.hu)

At TRT HQ in 2015 (www.trt.hu)

Hopefully she will be rallied in the future, but at the moment it's a bit unlikely.

Update 2016: 

After getting some information and looking up things, it is very likely that TRT's car is an older specification chassis, which was converted to a mix a newer specifications. It's worth noting that even in 2001, the X3 MMR numberplate could have been on several cars, but most likely not on this one. In the meantime, Henning Solberg bought back his car, which he said is the one he did Rally Finland in 2003 with, which would point to that car being X3 MMR. Also, in Japan, there's supposedly the car that Taguchi rallied as X3 MMR... And both of the latter could be "legit", so yes, it's a bit tumoltous, but I'll try to find out some more info if possible.

Update 2018:

Henning is selling his car, which is chassis #72, the real X3 MMR, or with its current numberplates, BD29442. However, as usual, more cars could have had carried the X3 MMR numberplate. As far as Tagai's car goes, I want to clarify 100% what that is, but surely not X3 MMR, and not even a 2001 spec. ex-works car.

Track record (regarding the events where the car can be 100% identified)

Wins: 0

Podiums: 0

Best result: 4th - 2001 Rally Catalunya

Retirements: 10

• 2003 Rally Finland - mechanical
• 2002 Rally Hokkaido - punctures
• 2002 Jim Clark Memorial - accident
• 2000 Tour de Corse - accident