Australia : Mitsubishi Motors - Shakedown
The Mitsubishi Motorsport WRC team completed its final preparations for Rally Australia this morning, the 16th and final round of the 2005 FIA World Rally Championship. Harri Rovanperä/Risto Pietiläinen are once again joined by `Gigi` Galli/Guido d`Amore in the second Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05 and the team is looking to round off the season with a top result over Western Australia`s fast gravel tracks.

Today`s shakedown, in warm and sunny conditions, took the crews 40 kilometers to the east of Perth to Mundaring for the final opportunity to set-up and run the cars ahead of tonight`s opening two stages. Harri Rovanperä has good experience of these fast tree-lined roads, which are characterized by their unique ball-bearing shaped gravel. The Finn won the World 2 Litre category back in 1997 and also finished second overall in 2002 and 2004.

“It`s one of my favorite rallies, but it`s a tricky one,” said Harri. “You need to stay on the clean lines as the minute you`re off these it`s like skating on ice. Shakedown was good for us and I`m feeling confident before the start. The car feels good and our tires always work well here, so hopefully we can have a clean run and good result.”

Gigi Galli has only previously competed here once in the Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. He did however retire from the event but has already demonstrated this year that he can overcome a lack of previous experience.

“For sure we have to drive this rally carefully, that is my plan,” said Gigi. “I want to gain the experience and knowledge because this is another event that is quite special. The trees are very close to the fast and narrow roads and as I know from last year, there is no room for a mistake. The feeling is good at the moment, but we will see how things are tomorrow and whether I feel I can push.”

Adding to the drivers` comments, Principal Rally Engineer Roger Estrada said: “Both drivers were happy after shakedown; we tried some different suspension settings and had no problems. Conditions are very slippery and the shakedown road had quite low grip, but we`re as prepared as we can be.”

The start of the event is, as ever, marked by the first running of Perth`s super special stage at Gloucester Park, the 2.35 kilometer crowd-pleasing stage run twice this evening. Friday, the crews then head south for the first full day of competition in the forests before returning to the city for another two runs around the super special stage.


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