FINLAND'S Tommi Makinen drove his Mitsubishi Lancer to victory in the Swedish Rally in Karlstad yesterday to win the opening event for this year's world championship.
Spain's Carlos Sainz in a Ford Escport RS Cosworth finished second 23 seconds behind with defending world champion Colin McRae of Scotland third in the works Subaru, 65 seconds back.
"Over the last two stages I drive faster than ever before," a delighted Makinen. Team director Andrew Cowan has nothing but praise for the young Finn. "This has been the drive of Tommy's life. He was under tremendous pressure during the last two days," said Cowan.
And most of that pressure came from Sainz who produced the drive of the rally. The Spaniard looked like overtaking the Finn until a broken shock absorber ruin his chances.
Me Rae made no attempt to hide his disappointment at only finishing third. "It could have been better," said the Scot who was hampered on the opening day by tyre problems. If the tyres had been alright, we could have won. It's a bit frustrating, but at least we got some points," he added.
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