Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart will enter the 2002 World Rally Championship with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRCs for François Delecour (France) and Alister McRae (Britain) aiming to win both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championship titles.

The World Rally Championship has seen the European manufacturers take a greater interest in recent years, which has resulted in a more competitive championship. Along with the F1 World Championship, it is the only world championship recognised by the FIA, the international governing body. The season begins with the Monte Carlo Rally in January and consists of 14 rounds in 14 countries, concluding with the Rally of Great Britain in November. The rallies are held on a variety of surfaces, ranging from snow to ice, mud, rocks and asphalt, with the additional challenge of strenuous climatic conditions, with temperatures from minus 20 degrees to 40 degrees Celsius. It is a demanding environment for the drivers and requires high performance and supreme reliability from the production-based cars aiming to win the championship title.

Mitsubishi Motors has been participating in overseas rallies since 1967 and has taken four consecutive drivers’ championship titles, in 1996-1999. In 1998, it took both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championship. 2001 saw further success with overall wins at the Monte Carlo, Portugal and Safari Rallies. The 2002 WRC will see the Lancer Evolution WR Car that made its debut at the 11th round Sanremo Rally in October, 2001 spearheading an even more vigorous team effort.

François DELECOUR

Born August 30, 1962 in France. Rally debut in 1981.

WRC debut at the 1984 Monte Carlo Rally. Delecour signed a works contract in 1991 with Ford and achieved his first WRC victory at the 1993 Portugal Rally, in a season in which he won two other rounds and gained second in the drivers’ championship. In 1994 he won the first round at Monte Carlo and was widely tipped to take his first drivers’ championship, but his hopes were dashed by a road accident mid-season. He signed with Peugeot for 1996 and has excelled on tarmac events, helping to bring Peugeot that year's French Championship. He has since been regarded as a tarmac specialist, but after signing again with Ford for 2001, he showed that he is just as capable on gravel rallies.

Born May 19, 1960 in France. Rally debut in 1978.

He participated in the French Championship in 1989 as Bruno Saby's co-driver in a Lancia Delta, coming second in the championship. From late 1991 he became Delecour's co-driver and came third in the Catalunya Rally on his WRC debut. In 1993 he won three WRC rounds and in 1994 won the Monte Carlo. He partnered Mark Duez briefly in 1995, but again teamed up with Delecour from 1996.

Alister McRAE

Born December 20, 1970 in Britain.

Alister made his WRC debut on the 1991 RAC Rally (now called the Rally of Great Britain) before demonstrating his talent by becoming the 1992 British Group N Rally Champion. He drove a Ford Escort in the 1995 RAC Rally and finished fourth overall, beating the factory Ford team and gaining much publicity. He signed a works contract with Hyundai in 1999, establishing himself as their lead driver in 2001. He is considered to be a talented driver who now has a chance to demonstrate his ability to the full.

Homologated cars based on a production model of which 2500 cars are built over a continuous span of 12 months. This category is for lightly modified cars with changes mainly for safety. The basic performance and reliability of the production model is paramount. The Lancer Evolution is almost invincible, attaining 28 consecutive WRC wins and regarded as the strongest Group N car. For 2002, the Group N class will change its name to the Production Car Class and the championship will be called the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship.

The new category established in 2001 to nurture younger drivers, competing with two-wheel drive, naturally aspirated 1600cc cars. Outwardly larger wheel arches are allowed, as well as other specified changes, but the vehicle performance is not generally as high as the production cars. In 2002 the championship will be called the FIA Junior World Rally Championship.