- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and MMSP,
the holding company for MMC's worldwide motor sport activities, contested
the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) last weekend
and scored points in their debut outing after a year's sabbatical for
the series. The tiny Principality of Monaco hosted Rallye Monte-Carlo
and 38-year-old Gilles Panizzi claimed sixth overall in the first event
for the new Lancer WRC04. Three points in both the Drivers' and Manufacturers'
Championships was a fitting reward for the whole team.
Rolf Eckrodt, CEO and President of MMC, said: "After a year away from
the series we are very happy to get points in our first event. We have
a passion for motor sport and a history of high performance and teamwork
and we are delighted to be back in the World Rally Championship, the
pinnacle of motor sport besides Formula One. Our results are borne from
our strong challenging spirit. Mitsubishi Motors will continue to pass
the technical knowledge it gains through racing competition to our customers
who drive our products."
Adding to his comments, Sven Quandt, MMSP's Head of Motorsport, said:
"To have scored points like this, when the car is still so new and we
also have new drivers, is quite exceptional; we are delighted with the
team success in our first event back in the World Rally Championship.
Two weekends ago we won the Dakar Rally and last weekend we made a successful
return to the WRC. Points have been a great bonus at the start of this
challenging year. These results demonstrate Mitsubishi's commitment
to motor sport."
"I am very happy," added Gilles. "We did not make a lot of testing
and of course we are all completely surprised we have not had more problems
the first time the car has run in these conditions. To finish and score
points is very good. I am confident with the team and the car, and this
is the start of a new chapter in my motor sport career; I have found
a good team."
With the introduction of the Japan Rally in the 2004 series, MMC is
also focused on its home event and will be looking to set an electrifying
pace on the north island's gravel stages in September.
Final Positions
| 1. |
Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena |
Citroen Xsara WRC |
4 hr 12 min 03.0 sec |
| 2. |
Markko Maurtin/Michael Park |
Ford Focus RS |
+ 1.12.6 |
| 3. |
Francois Duval/Stephane Prevot |
Ford Focus RS |
+ 1.19.6 |
| 4. |
Marcus Gronholm/Timo Rautiainen |
Peugeot 307 WRC |
+ 1.26.8 |
| 5. |
Freddy Loix/Sven Smeets |
Peugeot 307 WRC |
+ 8.16.9 |
| 6. |
Gilles Panizzi/Herve Panizzi |
Mitsubishi Lancer WRC04 |
+ 10.11.6 |
| 7. |
Petter Solberg/Phil Mills |
Subaru Impreza WRC |
+ 10.42.2 |
| 8. |
Olivier Burri/Jean-Philippe Patthey |
Subaru Impreza WRC |
+ 17.49.1 |
| 9. |
Josef Beres/Petr Stary |
Hyundai Accent WRC |
+ 19.43.1 |
| 10. |
Nicolas Bernardi/Denis Giraudet |
Renault Clio |
+ 23.38.1 |
FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers
| Sebastien Loeb |
10 |
| Markko Maurtin |
8 |
| Francois Duval |
6 |
| Marcus Groenholm |
5 |
| Freddy Loix |
4 |
| Gilles Panizzi |
3 |
| Petter Solberg |
2 |
| Olivier Burri |
1 |
FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers
| Ford |
14 |
| Citroen |
10 |
| Peugeot |
9 |
| Mitsubishi |
3 |
| Subaru |
2 |
