Rhys Millen and Mitsubishi Motors Finish on Top At the 79th Annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION 6.5
Rhys Millen driving Mitsubishi Evolution 6.5 sets his best-ever qualifying time in preparation for the 79th annual Pike's Peak International Hill Climb. Media contact: Janis Little of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., 714-372-6429. (PRNewsFoto)[AG]
CYPRESS, CA USA 06/29/2001

      Millen Continues the Family Tradition of Conquering the Mountain,
               While Setting a New Course Record in the Process

    CYPRESS, Calif., July 3 Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America
and its factory-sponsored driver Rhys Millen took first place in the
High Performance Showroom Stock Class for the third consecutive year at the
79th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Saturday, June 30th.  The
Hill Climb, affectionately known as 'The Race to the Clouds,' is one of the
most difficult and challenging motorsports events in the world.  Competitors
from across the globe flock to the 14,110 foot mountain every summer to test
their skills and machines against the grueling turns and unforgiving cliffs as
the 12.42 mile course winds upward to the summit.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010629/LAF054 )
    During the event, Millen finessed his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
6.5 through the twisting gravel course to finish with an elapsed time of
11:58.53, setting a new course record and marking the first time in the
history of the race that a HPSS-class car had broken the 12-minute barrier.
    "The race is a passion for me," said Millen.  "This is my 10th year here."
    Rhys Millen first arrived on Pikes Peak in the tow of Rod Millen, his
racing father, who first saw America's most famous mountain as a Pro Rally
driver in the late 1980's.  Rod also currently holds the quickest elapsed time
overall on Pikes Peak after clocking a run of 10:04.06 set in 1994.
    "My mindset is different than my father's," said Millen, who was the
youngest champion in the long and storied history when he captured the
Pikes Peak Open title in 1992 at the age of 19.  "But the pressure on both of
us is the same.  We both want to win."
    After completing his run early in the day, the 28-year old California
resident was beaming with excitement when he received the results of his
record-breaking climb to the top.  Millen ran nearly four seconds faster than
every other competitor for his class during practice, which gave him an
unbridled confidence going into the race.
    "The road was a lot more slippery today than it had been all week," said
Millen.  "But we did what we wanted to do today.  We got to the top, won the
class and got in under 12 minutes.  It's a tribute to Mitsubishi Motors, the
Lancer Evolution 6.5, my dad and my crew."
    In addition to winning last year at Pikes Peak, Millen added the 2000
Ramada Express Rally in Laughlin, Nev., to his mantle of trophies, finishing
first overall.  Earlier in 2001, Millen finished second overall at the Rim of
the World SCCA ProRally in Palmdale, Calif.
    Rhys Millen and Team Mitsubishi will continue to compete in the 2001
season, racing in the SCCA ProRally race series.

    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.