MITSUBISHI MOTORS/1997 NESTE RALLY FINLAND

1.T.MAKINEN/S.HARJANNE

FIN/FIN

MITSUBISHI LANCER

3.16.18

Gr-A

2.J.KANKKUNEN/J. REPO

FIN/FIN

FORD ESCORT

3.16.25

Gr-A

3. J.KYTOLEHTO/A.KAPANEN

FIN/FIN

FORD ESCORT

3.18.18

Gr-A

4.S.LINDHOLM/T.HAUTUNEN

FIN/FIN

FORD ESCORT

3.18.53

Gr-A

5.T.JANSSON/P O.SVENSSON

FIN/FIN

TOYOTA CELICA

3.21.12

Gr-A

6.P.HAGSTROM/T.GARDEMEISTER

FIN/FIN

TOYOTA CELICA

3.22.48

Gr-A

7.U.NITTEL/T.THORNER

D/S

MITSUBISHI LANCER

3.25.15

Gr-A

8.D.AURIOL/D.GIRAUDET

F/F

TOYOTA COROLLA

3.26.57

Gr-A

9.J.PUHAKKA/K.EEROLA

FIN/FIN

MITSUBISHI CARISMA GT

3.27.59

Gr-N

10.H.ROVENPERA/V.SILANDER

FIN/FIN

SEAT IBIZA

3.28.21

Gr-A

Updated 31th August , 1997 - 20h10

Mitsubishi Lancer driver Tommi Makinen has become the first driver to win the Rally Finland four times in a row and more than doubled his World Championship lead in the process after a flawless victory on the 10th round of the World Rally Championship. On a hugely successful weekend for Mitsubishi, Jouko Puhakka dominated the Group N production category in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT and Uruguay's Gustavo Trelles built up an insuperable lead in the Group World Championship.

Makinen's superb record on home ground has made him "Mr. 1000 Lakes" - echoing the rally's old name - and enormous crowds flocked to the stages to witness a classic Rally Finland duel between Makinen and fellow-Finn Juha Kankkunen, driving a Ford. The final section of the rally was lined with fans holding banners proclaiming their support for Makinen, enjoying the warm sunshine on one of the rally's closest ever finishes.