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RALLY: San Remo: Makinen Wins

14 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Round 12 (of 14), 1999 FIA World Rally Championship
11-13 October

There were four stages today and four changes of the lead - Panizzi was the overnight leader, but after a puncture only a few km into the first stage (40km stage), Makinen took the lead. Then came the rain and tyre choice became critical with some drivers opting for full wet tyres, others for intermediates. Delecour retook the lead after SS16 but retired on the start line of SS17 with a broken alternator belt. After a gamble on tyres, Panizzi was back in the lead again with only the final 40km stage remaing and a lead of 1.8 seconds. But Makinen was chasing the biggest goal of them all, a World Championship and he was 20 seconds faster than Panizzi, winning the San Remo rally by 18 seconds. Given the early dominance of the Peugeots it is perhaps better result than expected for both Makinen and Didier Auriol who finished in 3rd place and collects some valuable championship points.

Tommi Makinen (Mitsubishi Lancer): "The first stage today was so good. That was what made winning possible. I did a good time on this long stage last year and I like it very much. Of course the tyres have been important too and the whole team has worked very hard for this. I am very confident now for the last two rallies of the season".

Gilles Panizzi (Peugeot 206 WRC) admitted it was a slight disappointment not to have won : " We proved that we are capable of challenging for victory and it won't be long before we taste success."

Didier Auriol (Toyota Corolla): "We have pushed hard but the conditions have been pretty tricky in places. In stage 17 the weather was mixed - it was reasonably wet at the start but much much wetter towards the end and, on intermediate tyres, it was not so easy. But the most important thing is that we have a good points finish and the fight with Tommi is far from over. Only six points separate us now and for sure there will be a big battle in Australia."

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