NETWORK Q RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN
(21-24 NOVEMBER)
1998 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 13

MITSUBISHI WELL PLACED ON RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN
DESPITE MAKINEN CRASH

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is challenging hard for the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers on the Rally of Great Britain, the 13th and final round, thanks to Mitsubishi Carisma GT driver Richard Burns, who holds sixth place after the first leg. An unfortunate accident has eliminated Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver and World Championship leader Tommi Makinen.

Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship attracts spectators in their millions and they were out in force on Sunday, in cold but bright weather, watching stages at race tracks and stately homes, or standing in villages, cheering on the cars and waving banners for their favourites. In view of the unusually good weather, most drivers gambled on racing-style tyres as they battled for seconds.

World Rally Champion Makinen was running smoothly in 10th place when he skidded off the road into a concrete barrier on the fifth stage, on oil left by a historic car that had been taking part in a separate rally. There was no warning of the oil. Although the car was not badly damaged, it was too far to the next service point to make it possible to continue.

"I am very unhappy to finish my season like this, with this accident. Now I must wait while other drivers decide the championship", Makinen stated.

Burns has suffered a few minor handling problems, but has made good use of his Michelin tyres to fight his way up to sixth place, well in touch with leader Colin McRae. He is ideally placed to step up the pace on the much longer forest stages tomorrow – the same stages on which he played a starring role last year.

"We’ve stayed out of trouble after a few little problems in the morning and we’ve ended up in a pretty good position, not far off the lead. Tomorrow will be very different", Burns declared.

"It’s a most unsatisfactory situation. Tommi’s accident does raise important questions about the Sunday stages. We’re going to concentrate on getting the best possible result with Richard. He’s had a steady day, but we’ve just got to hope that he can help keep Carlos Sainz out of the top four positions, which would make sure that Tommi wins the World Championship", said Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Manager Phil Short.

Mitsubishi traditionally does well in Group N, where the strength and speed of the Mitsubishi Carisma GT makes it virtually unbeatable. Promising Austrian driver Manfred Stohl is leading the way after the first leg, chased by fellow Mitsubishi driver Hamed Al Wahaibi from Oman, with a cluster of Subarus in pursuit.

The second leg includes eight tough stages, totalling 142 kilometres, in the forests of central Wales.

Leg 1 - Sunday 22 November

Leg 1 - Sunday 22 November
Special Stages 1 to 13


SS 13 CHELTENHAM 2 - 1.61 km

updated at 7:15 pm local time

SS 12 DONINGTON 2 - 6.30 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 6:20 pm local time

SS 11 DONINGTON 1 - 6.30 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 6:10 pm local time

SS 10 TOWCESTER - 3.23 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 4:20 pm local time

SS 9 SILVERSTONE 4 - 6.99 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 4:00 pm local time

SS 8 SILVERSTONE 3 - 6.99 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 3:55 pm local time

SS 7 SILVERSTONE SUPERSPECIAL - 1.96 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 3:45 pm local time

SS 6 MILLBROOK 2 - 7.13 km - Sunday 22 November

Note: Makinen had to drive this stage on three wheels and retired after SS 6

updated at 1:00 pm local time

SS 5 MILLBROOK 1 - 7.13 km - Sunday 22 November

Note: Makinen hit a concrete wall and damaged the right rear suspension

updated at 1:00 pm local time

SS 4 SILVERSTONE 2 - 8.69 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 11:20 am local time

SS 3 SILVERSTONE 1 - 8.69 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 11:10 am local time

SS 2 CORNBURY - 4.16 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 9:20 am local time

SS 1 CHELTENHAM 1 - 1.76 km - Sunday 22 November

updated at 8:25 am local time