Mitsubishi Motorsports and Rhys Millen Descend on SCCA Cherokee Trails Rally

                   FIA-Sanctioned Rally Race Is Debut Event
                      For Team Mitsubishi in 2001 Season

    CYPRESS, Calif., March 14 The excitement of World Rally
Championship-style racing roars into the United States, as Mitsubishi Motor
Sales of America, Inc. launches the 2001 race season with driver Rhys Millen.
Team Mitsubishi will mark its debut race this year at the Sports Car Club of
America (SCCA) ProRally Series Cherokee Trails Rally, taking place March 15
through 17, 2001 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Millen hopes to continue his
success from last year's wins at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and
the Ramada Express Hotel Casino International Rally, driving his Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution 6.5 RS.
    "We had a great year in the 2000 season and hope to top those
accomplishments this year," says Rhys Millen.  "Mitsubishi Motors is running
more races and we hope to grow our base of rally fans in America through
proven victories in our incredible Lancer Evolution."
    Millen recently added the 2000 Ramada Express Rally in Laughlin, Nevada to
his mantle of trophies, finishing first overall and more than ten minutes
ahead of the second place vehicle.  Flawless driving skills combined with the
nimble and powerful Lancer Evolution secured his first place position despite
foul weather conditions and fierce competition.  Earlier in the year, Millen
dominated the mountain at the 78th running of the Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb, placing first in the High Performance Showroom Stock class and
setting another world record of 12 minutes, 4.61 seconds (previous record of
12 minutes 13.47 seconds also set by Millen in 1999).
    Rhys Millen will be joined in the navigator seat at the Cherokee Trails
race by rally veteran Gary Cowan.  Recently winning the 2000 rally
championship in New Zealand, Cowan brings more than eight years of racing
experience as a seasoned co-driver to the Mitsubishi team.  Cherokee Trails is
one of the few races in the United States that allows teams to pre-run a
course and note turns and road conditions to use during the actual race.
Cowan's expert pace-note skill will be instrumental to the success of team
Mitsubishi at Chattanooga.
    Returning again in the 2001 season will be Millen's race-proven vehicle,
the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5.  Powered by a 2.0-liter, DOHC
4-cylinder engine, the intercooled, multi-scroll turbocharger inducted
Evolution engine creates 330 horsepower at 18 psi of boost.  Incorporating a
RalliArt ECU, the engine's power is transferred through a 5-speed RalliArt
carbon triple-plate clutch to all four wheels via an active center
differential.  At only about 2900 pounds, the Lancer Evolution 6.5 can be
accelerated to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, making it one of the quickest
vehicles of its kind in the world.  Large, Brembo ventilated disc brakes help
the car stop quickly while Intrax multi-adjustable suspension helps to
maintain control in the treacherous rally terrain.
    Though not currently sold in the United States, Lancer Evolutions are the
global yardstick by which rally cars are developed.  Lancers have helped
Mitsubishi Motors achieve victories at World Rally Championships in remote
areas around of the world.  Mitsubishi Motorsports driver Tommi Makinen most
recently raced to a first place finish at the 2001 Monte Carlo Rally in
January behind the wheel of his Lancer Evolution 6.5.
    "Mitsubishi Motors is excited to bring the fast, high-flying thrill of
rally racing to North American fans," said Pierre Gagnon, executive vice
president and chief operating officer, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America.  "We
are the global leaders in rally racing and are confident we will achieve equal
success with Rhys Millen in the United States."
    In addition to Millen, Mitsubishi Motors will reward drivers who choose
Mitsubishi products through a monetary contingency prize program established
in cooperation with the SCCA.  During SCCA ProRally series races in 2001,
Mitsubishi Motors will award cash prizes to drivers who finish in the top
three while driving current or previous generation Mitsubishi products.  This
prize demonstrates Mitsubishi Motors' appreciation and commitment toward loyal
rally racers.
    Team Mitsubishi will continue to compete in the 2001 season, racing next
at the SCCA ProRally Oregon Trails race on April 7-8.
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1982 by
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles,
including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles.