Mitsubishi gears up for new Lancer debut

The Rugby-based Mitsubishi Ralliart squad tested the new Lancer WRC for the first time at the Millbrook test track in Bedfordshire last week and have scheduled another 4000 kilometres of tests before Sanremo begins on October 5.

Makinen leads the world championship standings by 10 points from Ford's Colin McRae. But despite the Finn winning three WRC rounds so far this season in the existing Group A Lancer, the team believes the advantages offered by the WRC car are significant enough to warrant its introduction mid-season.

Chief engineer Bernard Lindauer said: "There is always a question of reliability with new cars. However, we have always had reliable parts in the past and done simulation tests in conjunction with the Japanese engineers, so hopefully any problems will be kept to a minimum.

"We have now reached the point where the imbalance between Group A and World Rally Car regulations and the resulting increased performance of World Rally Cars puts Mitsubishi in the situation where we could not have all the development facilities available," he added. "The only way for us to improve performance and to gain more post-development benefit on the standard car was to follow World Rally Car rules."

World Rally Car rules allow considerably more flexibility in layout, drivetrain and suspension than Group A, but without having to build a large number of road cars. However, while other manufacturers grabbed the opportunity to make WRC cars from the category's inception in 1997, Mitsubishi has until now stuck to the old system of homologating a Group A car.

The Lancer WRC retains many components from the Group A Lancer Evo 6, but includes greater suspension travel, improved aerodynamics and revised weight distribution.

Makinen's team mate Freddy Loix conducted the initial testing, saying: "It was great to drive the car for the first time. The regulations allow us greater flexibility in certain areas and I think this, combined with elements of our current car, mean we can look forward to a really competitive package.

"Tommi won in Africa (the Safari Rally) last week - the toughest event in the championship - so we know what we are already using is good, strong and reliable. Combine the two, and hopefully it should be fantastic.

"The engineers have already made good steps with the engine and wheel travel at the front, and the weight distribution is much better. It feels different, not hugely, but still different. The car we plan to launch in Sanremo will be our first evolution and the goal is to learn as much about it as possible. With the intense test programme, there will be lots of refinements before Sanremo."

With Sanremo being an asphalt-based event, initial testing will concentrate on sealed-surface running.

"Straight out of the box the new car worked well, but we must be realistic that we have a lot of work ahead of us," said Lindauer. "Between now and Sanremo there are five tests scheduled and the plan is to have run 4000 kilometres. Initially we will be concentrating on asphalt, but we've got a lot of gravel work to do as well."

The Group A Lancer will be used for the next two world championship events, in Finland and New Zealand.