Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is poised to crown another highly successful season on the final round of the 1997 World Rally Championship, Britain's Network Q RAC Rally, from November 22 to November 25, as Finn Tommi Makinen is the odds-on favourite to become World Rally Champion for the second year in a row. Makinen and the Michelin-equipped Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have been the pacesetters for most of the season, as the Finn proved with a sensational performance on the last round of the World Rally Championship in Australia. He has four wins already this year and a near - unbeatable points lead as he prepares for the RAC. He will be World Champion provided he finishes in the top six and scores just one point, but if Colin McRae fails to win the rally, Makinen is automatically champion - a tribute to his Mitsubishi's consistently strong performance in 1997.

While Makinen concentrates on securing the world title, the RAC provides a golden opportunity for Carisma GT driver Richard Burns to shine in front of his home crowd.

"Of course it's going to be difficult, because the RAC is a tough rally, but I don't think it is going to be a problem. It is just a question of concentrating and making sure that we finish," said Makinen. "I have driven a lot in Britain, so I know what to expect in the forests and, although I haven't had good results on the RAC in the past, this year is going to be different!"

Richard Burns, the 1993 British Rally Champion, has his best chance of the season to make his mark. The 26-year-old knows exactly what to expect and his performances this year in the Carisma have been highly impressive. Growing confidence and experience will make him a formidable adversary.

"It's always nice to be competing at home - this year's RAC goes within 10 kilometres of my house - so I'm naturally looking forward to the RAC. The Carisma GT will be really good in the sort of conditions that we're expecting on the RAC and it's my job to make life as difficult for Tommi's rivals as possible. It's a great opportunity," declared Burns.

"Tommi has already stated that he will be driving for a finish somewhere in the first six to make sure of the title," said Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Manager Phil Short. "As far as Richard is concerned, he is free to drive as fast as he can to put pressure on the leader. We don't want Colin McRae to cruise around without any pressure, so Richard is there to liven things up.

This year's RAC Rally has indeed undergone a major transformation. It is based in Cheltenham in western England for the first time, which means that the stages are further south than usual, omitting Scotland and the notorious Kielder Forest in northern England. Instead, after the traditional tour of race tracks and stately homes in the first leg, with 11 stages totalling a modest 59 kilometres, it is concentrated in the forests of south and central Wales. The second leg includes seven stages for 158 competitive kilometres, visiting classic stages such as Dyfi, Hafren, and Myherin. The last returns to south Wales, to Resolfen, Rheola and Margam, for the first time since 1986, when the RAC still had a secret route. Its eight stages cover 169 kilometres before the ceremonial finish at Cheltenham Racecourse.