Skoda, Mitsubishi push ahead

Skoda and Mitsubishi are planning to unveil their next steps on their 2005 spec cars for next month's Corona Rally of Mexico after both teams ran test programmes during the week.

David Cameron Feb 19, 2005, 5:07 AM

Mitsubishi, who ran a newly redesigned Lancer WRC at the season opener in Monaco, are planning to debut their active differential in an effort to catch their rivals, who have run their versions some time. Skoda will introduce new engine parts and aerodynamics.

"This is a very important test for us," Mitsubishi technical director Mario Fornaris told Autosport. "We have done some work with the active differential at [proving track] MIRA, but it hasn't been driven under stage conditions. It has been reliable in the work done so far and it performed very well."

Skoda has been hit by production problems, which has limited the amount of testing the team has been able to run. The team will be concentrating on reliability testing of the new Fabia WRC ahead of sending the cars to the event.

The Corona Rally of Mexico runs from 11 - 13 March.