THE IMPRESSIVE RESULTS OF THE '97 "MARLBORO MITSUBISHI LANCER CHALLENGE CUP" DEMONSTRATE MITSUBISHI MOTORS COMMITMENT MOTOR SPORTS IN CHINA.

On November ninth, the ninety-seven ﾒMarlboro Mitsubishi Lancer Challenge Cupﾓ was held for the fourth consecutive year at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China. The race generated not an inconsiderable amount of local interest as it featured solely Chinese drivers, all fifteen of whom are graduates of the China Racing SchoolﾑChinaﾕs first racing school and co-sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors.

For the 43.2 km ten-lap race, Mitsubishi again provided fifteen Lancers through Ralliart, its wholly owned motor sports subsidiary. Proven in rallies the world over, the Lancers for this race were fitted with 1.8-litre in-line-4 DOHC engines that generate a maximum output of 140 PS at 6,000 rpm.

From the 10:00 AM start, the race was hotly contested by some of Chinaﾕs best up-and-coming racers. Lin Lifeng, a local driver with no previous racing experience, won the race in 21:58.994, smashing last yearﾕs record by close to forty seconds and thus demonstrating the high level of competitive instruction at the China Racing School. Following close on his heels were Wang Shaofeng, who placed third last year, and Ren Zhiguo in second and third place respectively. The high level of skill demonstrated this year is evident by the fact that the top nine finishers clocked faster times than last yearﾕs winning time. Indeed, Lin Lifeng turned a blistering 2:10.384 lap time, which was more a second faster than last yearﾕs fastest lap.

This yearﾕs event featured nine races, from Grand Touring cars to Formula Campus machines. Attendance was estimated at over 300,000 for the four-day event, with millions more watching live broadcasts by CCTV and Star TV among others.

Mitsubishi Motorﾕs commitment to raising the skill of drivers and race managers alike and developing the interest of the Chinese people in motor sports is aptly shown by its ongoing involvement with the China Racing School. And through the introduction of new models, Mitsubishi intends to further deepen that commitment.