Mitsubishi drops 2003 WRC season (merge)
Dec 2, 2002, 08:47 AM
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No Mitsubishi WRC in 2003!!!
From wrc-online.net:
Amazingly, Mitsubishi have announced today that they are to pull out of the World Rally Championship for 2003. A full return to the Championship is expected in 2004 whilst next year they will restructure their motorsport division. Andrew Cowan, Chairman of Ralliart Europe and Sven Quandt, head of motorsport activities, both agreed to this drastic step to presumably put a stop to the dismal results that have plagued the team over last season.
Read more here:
http://www.wrc-online.net/default.as...id=2&stid=1722
Shocking news, to say the least...
Amazingly, Mitsubishi have announced today that they are to pull out of the World Rally Championship for 2003. A full return to the Championship is expected in 2004 whilst next year they will restructure their motorsport division. Andrew Cowan, Chairman of Ralliart Europe and Sven Quandt, head of motorsport activities, both agreed to this drastic step to presumably put a stop to the dismal results that have plagued the team over last season.
Read more here:
http://www.wrc-online.net/default.as...id=2&stid=1722
Shocking news, to say the least...
Dec 2, 2002, 08:48 AM
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Mitsubishi pulls out
from www.worldrallynews.com
Mitsubishi pulls out
December 2, 2002
Mitsubishi has pulled out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
The decision has stunned the team's drivers, who were preparing to begin testing for the Monte Carlo Rally.
However, the Japanese concern has pledged to return in 2004. The withdrawal is to give time to concentrate on producing a more competitive car. After taking four consecutive world titles with Tommi Makinen, the switch to the latest Lancer and World Rally Car regulations has proved a severe disappointment, the team's best result since the WR Car's launch 14 months ago being a fifth place.
Mitsubishi pulls out
December 2, 2002
Mitsubishi has pulled out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
The decision has stunned the team's drivers, who were preparing to begin testing for the Monte Carlo Rally.
However, the Japanese concern has pledged to return in 2004. The withdrawal is to give time to concentrate on producing a more competitive car. After taking four consecutive world titles with Tommi Makinen, the switch to the latest Lancer and World Rally Car regulations has proved a severe disappointment, the team's best result since the WR Car's launch 14 months ago being a fifth place.
Dec 2, 2002, 09:01 AM
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Shocking... yet promising.
This, obviously, spells the demise of the Lancer EVO as a WRC homolgation special. I am sure that the Lancer EVO will continue as a high-performance sedan.
I think
is doing the right thing by directing its resources into the development of a more competetive car. In addition, this may mean we will get a new EVO to drool over. It may well be a COLT EVO. Hopefully will give us a streetable version of it.
This, obviously, spells the demise of the Lancer EVO as a WRC homolgation special. I am sure that the Lancer EVO will continue as a high-performance sedan.
I think
is doing the right thing by directing its resources into the development of a more competetive car. In addition, this may mean we will get a new EVO to drool over. It may well be a COLT EVO. Hopefully will give us a streetable version of it.
Dec 2, 2002, 09:44 AM
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like evo mk said.. the hatchback might even be a colt evo.. I think in the forum someone had a link to the new colt that mitsu is launching in japan.. I'd like to see a more slicker evo 9 tho.. hopefully mitsu definately gets back in wrc in 2004.. if they stay out.. 
<-- be p'ed off...
heheh....
<-- be p'ed off...heheh....
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Dec 2, 2002, 10:08 AM
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Mitsu take a break from rallying
Selected rounds only in 2003 for Japanese make
Mitsubishi has endured a sorry WRC season
Mitsubishi has sensationally decided to take a sabbatical from the World Rally Championship next year after struggling to be competitive in 2002.
The factory Ralliart team will only contest an unspecified select number of rounds next season and concentrate instead on rebuilding for a full-scale return in 2004.
Both Ralliart Europe boss Andrew Cowan and Mitsubishi's head of motorsport activity Sven Quandt voted in favour of the shock move, which reduces the number of manufacturers competing in the top class of the WRC to six.
Quandt said: "This decision is necessary as our engineering resources in Japan and Europe are currently in the process of being restructured. We need some time to return as a top WRC team, just as Mitsubishi Motors Corporation needed time to return to profitability and growth over the last 18 months.
"We aim for a successful return with a competitive car in the near future to the benefit of the Mitsubishi brand."
The team has struggled to make this year's Evo WRC2 competitive, its best result coming in Sweden where Alister McRae finished fifth. It was a far cry from the Tommi Makinen era when the Finn notched up four world championships in Lancers.
Mitsubishi has endured a sorry WRC season
Mitsubishi has sensationally decided to take a sabbatical from the World Rally Championship next year after struggling to be competitive in 2002.
The factory Ralliart team will only contest an unspecified select number of rounds next season and concentrate instead on rebuilding for a full-scale return in 2004.
Both Ralliart Europe boss Andrew Cowan and Mitsubishi's head of motorsport activity Sven Quandt voted in favour of the shock move, which reduces the number of manufacturers competing in the top class of the WRC to six.
Quandt said: "This decision is necessary as our engineering resources in Japan and Europe are currently in the process of being restructured. We need some time to return as a top WRC team, just as Mitsubishi Motors Corporation needed time to return to profitability and growth over the last 18 months.
"We aim for a successful return with a competitive car in the near future to the benefit of the Mitsubishi brand."
The team has struggled to make this year's Evo WRC2 competitive, its best result coming in Sweden where Alister McRae finished fifth. It was a far cry from the Tommi Makinen era when the Finn notched up four world championships in Lancers.
Dec 2, 2002, 10:42 AM
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That's the craziest Cyborg or whatever it is I've ever seen. However, probably not to far off from what the new machine will essentially be. Hatches own WRC: 206, Focus RS.
Dec 2, 2002, 10:50 AM
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I think it will retain the "Evolution" name and dump the "Lancer" name. Lordy I'd love one of those in my driveway. I'm a sucker for a nice hatch...too bad there are so few nice ones. 
