The most southerly round of the FIA World Rally Championship, New Zealand is also one of the best-loved events on the calendar. The smooth dirt roads that wind through lush farming country are a drivers' paradise. They present a searching test of skill, for they are often extremely quick and frequently slippery, yet few rallies offer the same sense of satisfaction and the non-punishing nature of the roads makes it possible to push lightly-modified production cars to the limit. The weather is also an uncertain factor: bright sunshine is quite likely in the southern autumn, but heavy rain is always a possibility in a route that never runs far from the coast.

"New Zealand is not a rough rally, but there's always a question mark over the weather because it can be quite different if it's good or bad", said Mario Fornaris, the team's Technical Director. "The Lancer WRC05 will be the same specification as México and hopefully we will be able to confirm our reliability in New Zealand, along with a good driver line-up. Harri has a very good record there, good experience and in the past he's always felt comfortable in this rally. For Gigi it is obviously something new and I think when you get this type of opportunity to go so far and take part in this type of rally, he has to capitalize on the opportunity. His target will be to finish, while for Harri it is an event where he can be very fast".

The 2005 Rally New Zealand marks Harri Rovanperä's eighth visit to a country widely regarded as having the best rally roads in the world. While the Finn has retired on three occasions, it nevertheless also represents one of his most successful events with no fewer than two podium positions in the FIA World Rally Championship - third in 2001 and second in 2002 - as well as a victory in the World 2 Liter category in 1998. He also finished fifth last year.

"I don't really know why New Zealand has been so good to me, but for sure it's one of my best and certainly a favorite", said Harri, who has been relaxing in Lapland since Rally México. "The roads are very nice, it's a quick event and the gravel is also nice; not bumpy or rough. It is quite a technical rally and not so easy because of the constantly changing camber on the road, but it works well for me. One thing that is very important though is to have a really good car and a lot of confidence in everything; then it all comes together".

Team-mate Gigi Galli has only previously competed in New Zealand once and an accident in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Group N machinery last year brought the Italian's charge to a premature halt. He and Guido D'Amore nevertheless put in a stunning performance on the first loose surface event of the 2005 season in Sweden - holding fourth in only their fifth event together in a world rally car - and will be looking to build on that experience to claim another impressive finish for Mitsubishi.

"For us, New Zealand is a very new rally and our experience is very very small", said Gigi. "I have already discussed our strategy with the team and everyone agrees that it is important to get to the finish, understand more and have the same philosophy we have had all season. Therefore, our goal will be to finish, look for some points for Mitsubishi, and move further ahead with the development of the dampers and active center diff. That is all, nothing else. I hope to enjoy the rally, but then I enjoy myself every time I sit in the car anyway...!"

Rally New Zealand is one of the classic gravel events in the FIA World Rally Championship calendar and a firm favorite with everyone who makes the long journey to the Southern Hemisphere. The fast and flowing roads that wind their way through spectacular farmland and forests on the North Island are universally agreed to be some of the best in the world and the emphasis is firmly on driver skill, as the smooth nature of the roads poses little demand on machinery. Many things are new this year, however; Rally HQ, the start and finish locations have moved, and this is also expected to be the only event in the series which does not comply with the recommended single-service area concept.

The event kicks off on the evening on Thursday April 7 with a ceremonial start in the new location of Waitemata Plaza, Auckland City, before the crews make the 130 kilometer journey north to Paparoa that night, ready for the opening day of action on Friday. Leg one covers eight stages and 129.22 competitive kilometers, while the second leg — also based around the service in Paparoa — takes in another six stages before returning to Auckland for two runs around the famous Manukau Super Special stage on the outskirts of the city. On Sunday, the service park moves to Western Springs, just five kilometers west of Auckland city center, for four special stages including two passes in the famous Whaanga Coast near Raglan, 160 km south of Auckland, before the finish back at Waitemata Plaza at 15:30 hrs (local). In total, the 2005 Rally New Zealand takes in 20 special stages and 356.00 competitive kilometers in a total distance of 1,128.48 kilometers.

For daily updates on the Rally New Zealand — from the shakedown on April 7 to the final leg on April 10 — see Mitsubishi Motors' website at:
Daily Reports: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/05wrc/nz/index.html
Race Photos: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/motorsports/e/05wrc/nz/photo.html

2005 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship (Round 2/8)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Group N Crews Ready for Battle in New Zealand

— 26 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions Group N Set to Start Rally New Zealand —

Tokyo, April 5, 2005 — Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivers will be aiming to build on past successes when the 2005 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship bursts into life again at Rally New Zealand.The second round of the series, New Zealand has attracted a formidable entry of Group N contenders and the array of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivers will be battling hard in what is sure to be another fiercely-fought contest.

Spain's Xavier Pons could easily be Mitsubishi's front-runner in his Lancer Evolution. The former motorcyclist has a proven turn of speed and is improving fast.

"New Zealand is a very nice rally and I hope we can do well, but we have to have a good result after Sweden, so the most important thing for me is to finish", said Pons. "This is also a difficult rally and I think it helps a lot if you know it well".

Italy's Angelo Medeghini is the highest-placed Mitsubishi driver in the Production Car Championship and has already proved that he will be a title contender in his first season in a Lancer Evolution.

"To be second in Sweden was fantastic", said the Italian, "and I don't know if we can do as well in New Zealand. It is a new rally for me and there are many good cars and drivers. Still I have heard so much about it I am looking forward to it very much".

Fumio Nutahara has greater knowledge of the terrain and the Japanese Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver is aiming to make that tell.
"New Zealand is a very nice rally to drive and I think it will be good for the car. It will be very difficult to get a good result with so many top drivers, but if we are reliable, I am sure we can do well", Nutahara stated.

The Lancer Evolution's performance and reliability have long made it part of the backbone of New Zealand rallying and other Mitsubishi drivers contesting the Production Car Championship, such as Natalie Barratt and Javier Villagra, will be joined by local heroes such as Neil Allport and Marty Roestenburg. Competition promises to be ferocious.