The reigning world champion Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, won the first Monte Carlo Rally of his career yesterday, the first round of the 1999 World Championship.
Makinen, world champion for the last three years, saw off the challenge of fellow Finn Juha Kankkunen (Subaru) and Scotland's Colin McRae (Ford Focus) to seal victory.
"Without a doubt it is one of my most important victories. I have often led the race before but something would always happen to rob me of victory. It is fabulous to finally win," enthused Makinen.
"There was lots of ice and snow everywhere and the problems of choosing tyres made things difficult. This is one of the best victories for me. I've led the event for the last two years and then something went wrong," said Makinen.
Last year he started with a fever, led for a while and then crashed out on the penultimate day. In 1997, he again looked a potential winner but ultimately settled for third place after hitting a snowdrift with three stages remaining on the final day.
Makinen's closest overnight pursuer, Frenchman Gilles Panizzi driving a non-works Subaru, was eliminated in the 11th special stage yesterday morning, skidding on ice.
Equally delighted was McRae. "I am really satisfied - this has been a great rally. The car was better than we could have hoped. We've experienced some mechanical trouble, but nothing surprising for such a new car. I think we will improve in the future."
The challenge against Makinen had evaporated on the opening day when Spanish two-time world champion Carlos Sainz, driving a Toyota, and Belgian Freddy Loix were eliminated while Frenchman Didier Auriol, McRae and Kankkunen all lost early ground.
McRae could yet lose his points as his Ford Focus is currently being probed by rally chiefs after it was claimed that its water pump did not conform to the rules.
Mitsubishi team director Andrew Cowan said: "This is the event every driver and team want to win. It's something that we will never forget. More than other rally, Monte is a total team effort.
"Tommi has been superb - a great drive under difficult conditions. It's a great achievement and a great way to start the season."
