Hi, friends!
Four-time World Rally champion Tommi Makinen ruled the rallying world in the late nineties. Just after rally legend from that time Colin McRae won his first WRC title in 1995, there was another name started to shine bright and especially after the win at the fastest event of the calendar, his name was Tommi Makinen.
Makinen started to build his reputation in tge early nineties in the Nissan works team called NME. But they pulled out of the championship despite better and better results from their top guns - experienced Stig Blomqvist and young Finn Makinen.
When guys from wirks Ford team offered him a drive for WRC Rally Finland in 1995he took it with both hands and delivered them a win instead of usual: Thanks.
That win brought him a contract with Mitsubishi Ralliart and the legend was born. They won together gour chamionships in the row (from 1996 to 1999) with many wins on the rallies.
But when Mitsubishi decided to introduce WRC car in 2001, they were nowhere. Other team were miles in front of them because they had WRC cars developed for four years at that time.
Makinen finished his stint with Mitsu team that same year and signed for Subaru for 2002. One of his last great drives with Mitsubishi was at Safari Rally Kenya 2001 and we have an onboard rally video from that rally.
Please enjoy and learn from Finnish four-time champion Tommi Makinen... :)
Credit for photos and videos to WRC and Youtube
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