http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/2003/0...bishi_2004.htm

 

That should be interesting. I wonder how he'll do in the large Mitsu after his years in the smaller Pug. But I think that's pretty good news for Mitsu, Gilles should prove very valuable in tuning the Evo for the tarmac events.

And I hope Mitsu decides to get rid of Delecour as well. I think they should if they are trying to make a "serious" return to the WRC. They'll need a more serious gravel driver than him.

 

I think Sainz's contract with Citroen is only one year.

I've been hoping that El Matador will be in an EVO next year.

But then, I'm a smidge biased. My new EVO is replacing my '88 ST-165 (Celica GT-Four) -- the car that Sainz took to his WRC championship in '90.

(Anyone interested in a used ST165?)

 

I had a '90 ST185 and an '88 ST165. Great cars. Heay as **** but sooo cool and absolutely bulletproof. People swore that I put in an MR2 motor in my '88. Ignorant bastards.

 

Delecour has been long gone. Mitsubishi let him go at the begining of the year.

 

I guess I missed that one. Good news!

 

Panizzi has a huge upside and a huge downside. The upshot is he is one of the best if not the best tarmac drivers right now. The problem is he in not a team player, he is getting old, and he is not very competitive on anything else but tarmac. It is however very nice to see Mitsubishi committing resources to acquire a tarmac specialist. Panizzi will be able to get the most out of the EVO VIII on tarmac but Mitsubishi will still need a much better all a round driver if they want to challenge for the title. For me personally I don’t see myself becoming a big Panizzi fan no matter how good he does in the Mitsubishi.

 

This obviously leads to the discussion of who will take the 2nd seat at Mitsubishi. Tommi has retired and Delecour has been let go as well as Alister McRae. I've not heard whether Mitsubishi will be entering 3 cars or 2 next year. Will they fill the 2nd seat with one of the young hopefuls they've been testing?

Both Sainz and McRae are under 1 year contracts with Citroen this year and are battling for a seat. I would imagine, based on the current year's performance, that Sainz will be asked to stay. Of course, it's also been rumoured that Peugeot are interested in him so I would imagine he would go there, if McRae gets the seat, rather than Mitsubishi.