Finn Harri Rovanpera will lead Mitsubishi's challenge on their return to world rallying next year.


Panizzi has been kept on for his speed on asphalt

Rovanpera, who has driven for Peugeot since 2001, will compete in all rounds, while France's Gilles Panizzi and Italy's Gigi Galli share the other car.

Mitsubishi quit in the middle of 2004 to spend time developing their car.

"For 2006 our aim is to claim the world title again. I feel those objectives are on track," said Mitsubishi motorsport boss Isao Torii.

"The championship is more and more dominated by gravel rallies and we need a driver who knows all these events very well.

"Harri Rovanpera is a good loose-surface driver, especially on the high-speed events."

Torii said he had appreciated Panizzi's patience throughout a difficult 2004.

"Gilles has been incredibly supportive of the team and has contributed enormous amounts to our development programme," Torii said.

"We did not give him the car to challenge (in 2004) but next year we have big expectations and see him as a potential winner on tarmac."

Mitsubishi delay NZ second driver call.
 
Mitsubishi has elected to keep people guessing as to who will be their second driver, on the Propecia Rally New Zealand next month.

According to the organisers of the event, Mitsubishi have called on an 'obscure ruling' whereby they do not have to name a second driver, if the preceding rally is less than five weeks distant from the event being entered.

With the Rally Mexico being held this weekend, some four weeks prior to NZ, Mitsubishi are thus well within their rights to delay.

With team leader, Harri Rovanpera having been confirmed as their number one driver, the choice will be between Gilles Panizzi, a renowned tarmac specialist and Italian Gigi Galli, for the second seat. There is also some speculation that the decision has been delayed to allow more funds to be generated before committing to a second car in NZ.

Despite a liking for tarmac, Panizzi is the favourite to secure the second works drive however his form in Mexico this weekend may well have a direct influence on the decision.

Rally NZ general manager Gary Upson can't remember a team delaying in such a fashion before.

"It is unusual but we have checked and they are well within the laws," he added. "It has certainly added to the intrigue as we build to our event. We will keep a close eye on proceedings in Mexico this week."

As such although the organisers have released the entry list, one name remains missing...

The event though will not only have full representation from the works teams contesting the Manufacturers championship, but there are also other notables entered, including current Australian champion Cody Crocker, reigning New Zealand National champion Chris West and a man on the comeback from injury Marty Roestenburg.

Roestenburg broke his back in the 2003 Far North Rally but has made his way back in steady fashion and will compete with the best in Group N.

Also on the start list is top local driver Neil Allport in his Evo 8 and veteran Malcolm Stewart, also driving a Mitsubishi. Stewart is not eligible however for the NZ National Rally Championship points up for grabs in the event, with his car not meeting specifications for that championship.

Article from: Crash.Net

MITSUBISHI CONFIRMS DRIVER LINE UP FOR PROPECIA RALLY NZ

Mitsubishi has confirmed its line-up of drivers for Propecia Rally New Zealand. Italian Gigi Galli has been awarded the drive ahead of French tarmac ace Gilles Panizzi.

Mitsubishi had quite correctly allowed themselves time in naming their second driver due to Corona Rally Mexico falling less than 5 weeks out from Propecia Rally NZ.

The Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports WRC team scored points with both its nominated Lancer WRC05s in the Corona Rally México, the third round of the 2005 FIA World Rally Championship. Harri Rovanperä and Risto Pietiläinen fought hard to finish fifth and team-mates Gilles and Hervé Panizzi took two points as the seventh placed manufacturer’s finisher. This result means Mitsubishi are the only one of the six manufacturers to achieve a 100% points scoring record over the three WRC rounds held so far this year.

Mitsubishi’s third successive double points haul from Monte-Carlo, Sweden and now México means it matches Ford on points in the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, although Mitsubishi take third place in the standings, based on finishing positions this year.