13/10/03
13/10/03
Space Star Wins World Cup Rally For Mitsubishi
Driving a Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3, Nicky Porter and his co-driver Malcolm Sinclair took a resounding victory in this year's World Cup Rally, finishing the ten day, 2000 mile endurance event nearly 15 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals.
Now into its third year since it was resurrected from the original two World Cup Rallies in the 70's, the 2004 event took entrants on an adventure, which saw them encounter a variety of terrain; from smooth asphalt roads to bumpy sand, and gravel tracks, all of which took place in intense heat.
Starting from Aix-Les-Bains in France on 28th September, the event took competitors to Marseilles, across the Mediterranean and into Tunisia. Over 300 miles of timed special tests were tackled, many of which took place on roads in and around the Sahara Desert.
Having competed and finished in this event on both occasions since is resurrection in 2001, Nicky Porter, who is Dealer Principal of Bishop Auckland Mitsubishi Dealers, Oakley Service Station, was eager to record another top ten finish in his almost standard specification Space Star.
"I can't believe we've done it", said a delighted Porter. "We knew the Mitsubishi would get us through, but to win as well is just fantastic. I'm very pleased with our personal performances, but just can't praise the Space Star highly enough, it never missed a beat throughout event. Whilst others were having problems we just got on with our rally - we didn't even get a puncture with our Yokohama tyres."
The severity of the conditions would suggest that competing vehicles should be extensively modified to cope - but not so the Mitsubishi Space Star, as Nicky Porter explains:
"There are a number of restrictions on what can be done to the car, the regulations are quite specific about this. We can only use standard components, although we can fit modified suspension and safety equipment such as a roll cage and fire extinguishers.
"In addition, organisers only permit a maximum engine size of 1400cc. This is a real leveller when it comes to performance as it puts the emphasis on the skill of the driver and co-driver to produce a good result. Taking all of these factors into account, it makes the Mitsubishi Space Star an ideal vehicle; it's strong, has a good power to weight ratio and handles well."
The Mitsubishi Space Star range starts at £9,999 for the 1.3 Classic rising to £12,999 for the 1.9 DI-D S. As with all Mitsubishi passenger vehicles, a 3-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, a 3-Year Inter-Euro Service Cover and 6-Years Anti-Corrosion Perforation Warranty cover the Space Star range.
Quelle:" http://www.renrodmg.co.uk/renr…ws_archive_mitsubishi.htm "