News April 2004

Mitsubishi's motorsport boss has blamed a problem with the alternator on the team's Lancer WRC04 for the retirement of Gilles Panizzi and Kristian Sohlberg during last nights runs around the Manukau superspecial.

Sven Quandt said that the car's alternator struggles to maintain charge when the engine is idling at low engine speeds, and the long road section to the superspecial on the outskirts of Auckland - allied to the pause before the stage commenced - meant that the battery died and was unable to be re-started.

"It's a stupid problem and obviously it's very frustrating, but it's not a serious one to overcome" Quandt said. "Will just try our best to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

The opening two stages of Rally New Zealand have proved an early drama for the Mitsubishi team. Both Mitsubishi's of Panizzi and Shlberg suffered the same electrical problem. No comment has been given by Mitsubishi yet. An expensive trip to New Zealand turned out on nothing...

You can find pictures from the shakedown here

RalliArt Germany will bring the lighter and best EVO till today, the Evolution VIII MR, available in Europe. Orders can be placed today, first car will be delivered in July.