J200 RAE

This car is pretty much a mystery, and not really a 1993 car - given the numberplate, it was registered likely in the first half of 1992. Nevertheless, it was pretty much like R6 MRE or Y2 MMR (more like the latter, as R6 MRE was likely converted from a used Evo IV chassis), never competing anywhere.

Pre-Monte 1993 test (McKlein)

Pre-Monte 1993 test (McKlein)

Pre-Monte 1993 test (McKlein)

 

 J200 RAE on the 1993 Finalnd pre-event test (Youtube)

K5 MRE

K5 MRE -alongside sister car K4 MRE- made her debut on the 1993 Rallye Monte-Carlo with Armin Schwarz and Nicky Grist (for a little story on the cars' livery, take a look at K4 MRE's story). They were doing quite well, but transmission problems cost them a lot of time, but they eventually rallied back to 6th position.

Rallye Monte-Carlo 1993 (Martin Holmes / rallylife.cz)

She returned to action in Portugal, again with Schwarz. They had a disastrous first day with losing a wheel, and an accident on the road section before SS13 put them out of their miserable rally.

Rally de Portugal 1993 (Pinterest)

Her next event was the 1000 Lakes Rally, this time with Kenneth Eriksson. The cars were a step behind the competition (mainly caused by the centre differential, which was switching torque between the front and rear axles whilst airborne, making the car unstable after landing), made apparent by the fact that Eriksson managed to win only one stage out of 35. They finished in 5th position though, earning precious points for Mitsubishi and themselves as well.

1000 Lakes Rally 1993 (Olivier Delhez / ewrc.cz)

Her final event of the season was the RAC Rally. Held in trecherous conditions that year (snow in Wales, ice in Kielder, etc.), the stages took their toll. Still piloted by Eriksson, they fell back initially, but fought their way back to 2nd by the end of the rally. It was quite a good result considering the lost time on the first day.

NetworkQ RAC Rally 1993 (pistech.karoo.net)

1994
It was not until the Sanremo Rally that K5 MRE returned to the WRC as an Evo II (in the meantime, she could have been used on some APRC events, like Malaysia or Indonesia, as there are little to none info on them events), and back with her was Armin Schwarz. Their reunion didn't end well, as they had to retire due to a fire. Before that, they won two stages.

Sanremo Rally 1994 (facebook)

Sanremo Rally 1994 (forocoches.com)

Update: before the event, a car with K5 MRE numberplates was used for testing. It would surprise me of this was the actual car they used was the same as this, but maybe yes, who knows...

Ralliart testing before the 1994 Rally Sanremo (Andrea Bruschettini)

Ralliart testing before the 1994 Rally Sanremo (Andrea Bruschettini)

1995
During the next season, she was back again - albeit only for the final event, the RAC. Mitsubishi was in a (bit hopeless) fight with Subaru for the championship, and K5 had a new driver (and Evo III specification), namely Tommi Mäkinen. Mitsubishi's title hopes collapsed when Mäkinen was forced to retire on SS9 with transmission problems, ending any chance of defeating Subaru.

NetworkQ RAC Rally 1995 (instagram)

NetworkQ RAC Rally 1995 (Shaun Flannery Photography)

Whereabouts
Quite a difficult question, just like with K4 MRE. Andrew Cowan has an Evo II supposedly from 1994, which was driven (supposedly) by Eriksson, more than likely in tarmac specification. This all but rules out K5, although it is possible it exists somewhere, as many of the old Evo IIIs have found their way into private collections.

Track record
Starts: 6
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1

• 1993 NetworkQ RAC Rally - 2nd - Eriksson/Parmander

Retirements:

• 1995 NetworkQ RAC Rally - transmission
• 1994 Sanremo Rally - fire
• 1993 Rally de Portugal - road accident

L6 MRE

L6 MRE made her debut on the 1994 Rally New Zealand, with Armin Schwarz and Klaus Wicha. The event counted towards the WRC and the APRC among others - so specialist drivers were also present to try to throw a wrench into the regulars' business. Schwarz was not baffled by them though, and finished 3rd, right in front of his more experienced team-mate Kenneth Eriksson.

Rally New Zealand 1994 (en.response.jp)

Rally New Zealand 1994 (KiwiRallyFan)

Her next event was the Hong Kong - Beijing Rally. No info on who drove the car or what the finish was, and pictures... no-no.

1996
She returned on the 1996 1000 Lakes Rally, with Ralliart test driver Lasse Lampi (this could indicate that at that time L6 MRE was a test car), and as an Evo III. They did what they could, and ended up 8th overall against very-very strong opposition.

1000 Lakes Rally 1996 (mattsoumi)

Whereabouts
She made it to 1996, albeit most likely as a test car; this could indicate that she was scrapped later on, but just as well she might be still around, although not likely.

Track record
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1

• 1994 Rally New Zealand - Schwarz/Wicha

Retirements: 0

L5 MRE

L5 MRE made her debut as an Evo I at the 1994 Rallye Monte-Carlo with Armin Schwarz and Klaus Wicha. They had a great showing, winning a lot of stages, but a mistake cost them 4 minutes, and eventually they finished 7th.

Rallye Monte-Carlo 1994 (forum-auto.com)

Her next event was the Rally New Zealand (which was part of the WRC and APRC as well), this time with Eriksson. By this time the car was converted to Evo II spec (most notable difference from the outside is the different front sumpguard and bumper). Surprisingly, Schwarz finished 3rd, while Eriksson managed 4th in the car.

Rally New Zealand 1994 (internet / KiwiRallyFan)

Her next event was 1994 Hong Kong - Beijing Rally. At the moment I don1t know who her driver was (most likely Eriksson), and what the result was. Here's a picture though, supposedly of L5 MRE.

Hong Kong - Beijing Rally 1994 (www.scalemodellink.com)

Whereabouts
Since there's very little info on the APRC rounds of 1993-94-95, I can not fully say that this car had only two starts (ot this numberplate even). The car might have competed on the 1994 Rally of Malaysia and Thailand, as well as being used again as an Evo III...

Track record (most likely incomplete)
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Retirements: 0

M10 MRE

M10 MRE -alongside sister car M9 MRE- made her debut on the 1995 Rally New Zealand, with Tommi Mäkinen and Seppo Harjanne on board. They made a good start to the event, leading it after the first day. But like on many events back then, Tommi was pushing the envelope a bit far, and they crashed out on SS10.

Rally New Zealand 1995 PET (kiwirallyfan.com)

Rally New Zealand 1995 (itsbrucemclaren.tumblr.com)

She returned on the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally with an other Finn, this time with Ari Vatanen. They had one task: help team mate Eriksson in the APRC Drivers' Championship, and also to bring good points for Mitsubishi in their close fight with Subaru. They achieved both, with arriving to Beijing in 2nd, right behind Eriksson. (No photo yet, it is very difficult to get one of these old APRC events...)
 
Whereabouts
Just like M9 MRE, this numberplate has never returned to the stages, although it's more than likely that the chassis of both cars have been used if they were new builds; if not, it's possibly that this was their final showing.

Track record
Starts: 2
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1

• 1995 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally

Retirements: 1

• Rally New Zealand 1995 - accident

M9 MRE

M9 MRE's -and sister car M10 MRE's- story is not that unusual for works Lancers. Both cars debuted on the 1995 Rally New Zealand, with Kenneth Eriksson and Staffan Parmander assigned to drive M9 MRE. Eriksson was fast, but not fast enough, and finished 5th behind McRae and the three factory Toyotas.

Rally New Zealand 1995 (en.response.jp)

Rally New Zealand 1995 (forocoches.com)

She returned to competition on the 1995 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, again with Eriksson and Parmander. The event was always one of the most difficult on the APRC calendar, and there was pressure: Eriksson could get a big lead in the championship standings, also, Mitsubishi could get a jump on rivals Subaru. In the end, Eriksson won, with stand-in teammate Ari Vatanen coming home in 2nd for the double win.

Hong Kong-Beijing Rally 1995 (Classic_Rally instagram)

Whereabouts
The M9 MRE numberplate has never returned to competition, but I don't necessarily think that the car was scrapped; it might have been reused with a different numberplate...

Track record
Starts: 2
Wins: 1

• 1995 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally

Podiums: 1
Retirements: 0

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)

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

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

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)