KR05 ZKJ was one of the last three cars built under the works Mitsubishi umbrella (and one of those three didn't even compete until 2009!), and even she made her debut as a pure tarmac car with Galli at the 2005 Deutschland Rally in August of that year, alongside the other newbie, KR05 ZKL. This event went well, as they won a stage and finished a couple in the top5, landing them bihind the four French WRCs in 5th place!
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| 2005 Deutschland Rally (Mitsubishi) |
Her next rally was the Tour de Corse, but this time with Panizzi. And this was one event to forget, as the entire Mitsubishi team experienced technical problems - much like 2001 Sanremo, when the new cars just weren't working as they were supposed to. Gilles had to put up with a broken damper and failing brakes on the first day, and the second didn't bring any smiles either; difficult handling and finally an engine problem put them out of their misery.
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| 2005 Rallye de France - Tour de Corse (Mitsubishi) |
Her final rally as a works car was the 2005 Rally Catalunya, this time with Galli. They ended the first day in 5th position, and started day2 with two stage wins - only to go off into a ravine after the finish line, and retire.
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| 2005 Rally Catalunya (Mitsubishi) |
2009
She returned to action in 2010, on the Rally Sarma in Latvia with Ivars Vasaraudzis. This turned out to be a great comeback, as they won the rally, scoring her first ever win!
Her next event was the BTA Rally Talsi, where the cars were swapped in the team, so Raimonds Kisiels got to drive her. They finished 5th, making it a successful eventi for the team, as Vasaraudzis won driving
KR53 YPO.
After Talsi, she made her way through the Atlantic to Barbados, where Sean Gill drove her on the Sol Rally. In a very tough field (2006 Focus WRCs, S12 Imprezas, and a couple of old WRCs) they finished 5th.
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| 2010 Sol Rally Barbados (Graham Curry Photography) |
For her next event, the Rallijs Madona, she was back again in Latvia, and again with Kisiels. They ended in 5th, repeating the team's result from Talsi.
Next up was the Rally Estonia, with some heavy competition testing for Rally Finland, or simply having fun - like Markko Märtin. Her driver was Kisiels again, and this time they finished 8th.
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| Rally Estonia 2010 (MotorsportMedia) |
The next rally -the Rally Kurzeme- turned out to be a highlight: piloted by Kisiels again, thy finished 2nd overall - ZKJ's first podium since Sarma at the start of the season!
Her Latvian campaign for 2010 ended with the Rallijs Latvija, again partnered by Kisiels. After some small problems, they finished 6th.
Her season ended with the Lausitz Rally in Germany, being a substitute for Mark van Eldik's long-time car,
KR53 YPP. Their random pairing was a great one, as they won - despite Mark not having too much experience on gravel with any kind of car!
2011
A new year, and another one that begins with the Rally Sarma. However, this year her driver was Raimonds Kisiels, but the goal was the same: a podium finish. Unfortunately, this plan was derailed first by a hydraulics problem, then some drivers crashed in front of them, some had to be overtaken... But they finished the rally on a high note, winning the last stage as they arrived to the finish in 9th place.
Her second event was the Rally Talsi, again with Kisiels. However, their string of bad luck continued as they had to retire with a knocked out suspension.
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| 2011 Rally Talsi (Janis Asaris / ewrc.cz) |
What later turned out to be their last event together, the Rally Jekabpils-Madona was the culmination of some sheer bad luck. After the first day, everything was fine, but they chose not to start the 2nd because Raimonds didn't fell well enough to continue.
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| 2011 Rally Jekabpils-Madona (Janis Asaris / ewrc.cz) |
After this, she returned with Vasaraudzis on th Rallijs Latgale. The fact that this was their second rally together was made even better that they won together for the second time!
Her last event was the Rally Estonia - again with Vasaraudzis, and they were hoping to continue their winning ways. But that wasn't to be, as they had a very heavy crash that put an end to both to the rally and (so far) to the car as well.
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| 2011 Rally Estonia (Janis Asaris / ewrc.cz) |
Whereabouts
As the picture shows, the damage was quite extensive, basically the car became croissant-shaped, and the rollcage was also damaged heavily. The car hasn't appeared anywhere since, but it might be possible that it was re-shelled, but info on that. If you, dear reader have any, please contact me! ;)
Track record
Starts: 17
Wins: 3
Retirements: 5
- Rally Estonia 2011 - accident
- Rallijs Jekabpils-Madona 2011 - medical reasons
- Rally Talsi 2011 - suspension
- Rally Catalunya 2005 - accident
- Tour de Corse 2005 - mechanical
