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

MITSUBISHI WINS RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND
WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart has won the World Rally Championship for the Manufacturers, the World Rally Championship for Drivers and the Rally of Great Britain, the final round of the 1998 series. A brilliant performance from British crew Richard Burns and Robert Reid in their Mitsubishi Carisma GT gave them their second win of the year, while Tommi Makinen became World Rally Champion Driver for a record-breaking third year in succession. Mitsubishi also won the prestigious Group N production class.

Competitors faced the worst conditions of the rally during the final leg in south Wales, torrential rain and dense fog affecting the first few stages at daybreak. The weather did nothing to deter the tens of thousands of fans who lined the stages and the final miles of the route into Cheltenham, cheering on Burns to a momentous victory, his first on his home round of the World Rally Championship.

Burns drove with cool professionalism to record a succession of fastest stage times, easing away from much more experienced rivals to score Mitsubishi’s seventh victory of 1998 – the second time in three years that the team has won more than half the rallies in the World Championship season. Shrewd tyre choice and Mitsubishi’s close partnership with Michelin were crucial elements as he stamped his authority on the event.

"I’m relieved and extremely happy. How much success can one team have? I first did this rally in 1990 and I never thought I’d be here now. It’s a great feeling", said a jubilant Burns.

"It is important, it is history. The last few days have been very difficult for me, but it is an incredible feeling to be World Champion again", said Finn Makinen.

"We came here to win the championship and we got the points we needed. It’s unbelievable. Richard did exactly what we wanted and his win is the icing on the cake to a fantastic season", said Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Andrew Cowan.

Mitsubishi had yet more success to celebrate in the Group N production category. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Mitsubishi Carisma GT give unequalled performance and reliability, and Austria’s Manfred Stohl held on to his overnight lead to score a convincing victory on only his second attempt at the rally. Hamed Al Wahaibi from Oman was a highly impressive third in Group N in his Lancer Evolution on his first attempt at the rally.

Mitsubishi also won the Ladies Prize thanks to Pernilla Walfridsson, the latest member of the highly successful Swedish rallying clan, driving her Mitsubishi Carisma GT.

Leg 3 - Tuesday 24 November

1998 NETWORK Q RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN


STATISTICS

Dates : 21 - 24 November 1998
Length : 1512.08 kms
Total SS: 380.30 kms on 28 special stages

Entries : 172 (101 Group A + 71 Group N)

Starters : 168 (98 Group A + 70 Group N)

Makes : Ford 31, Mitsubishi 28, Subaru 25, Vauxhall 16, Peugeot 14, Nissan 9,
Toyota 8, Skoda 8, Seat 6, Honda 4, Proton 3, Renault 3, Suzuki 3, Citroen 2,
Hyundai 2, Rover 2, Volkswagen 2, Opel 1, Saab 1

Nations (first drivers) : Great Britain 106, Finland 13, France 8, Japan 6, Sweden 4, Austria 3, Russia 3, Australia 2, Belgium 2, Estonia 2, Germany 2, Italy 2, Netherlands 2, Spain 2, Turkey 2, Czech Republic 2, Denmark 2, Norway 1, Oman 1, Peru 1, Poland 1, Portugal 1, Saudi Arabia 1, South Africa 1

Stage winners : Burns 13, C.McRae 11, A.McRae 3, Auriol 2, Sainz 1, Thiry 1

Rally leaders : C.McRae & A.McRae 1, C.McRae 2-15, Burns 16, C.McRae 17-19, Burns 20-28

Leg 3 - Tuesday 24 November
Special Stages 22 to 28

Click here to access the results of SS 22 to 28