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Mitsubishi Motors to Compete in Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 Desert Race in Mexico

10 November 2000

Mitsubishi Motors to Compete in Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 Desert Race in Mexico

                   Mitsubishi Adds Legendary Off-Road Race
              To Its List of World-Wide Motorsports Competitions

    CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 8 Mitsubishi Motors and longtime
racing partners Ralliart and Yokohama Geolandar will enter two vehicles in
this year's Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 race presented by Autozone November 12th
through 16th, 2000.  This is the first time Mitsubishi Motors will send a
factory-sponsored team to run the off-road desert race that starts in
Ensenada, runs along the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, and ends three days and
1,720 miles later in Cabo San Lucas.  The Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 presented by
Autozone joins the Paris-Dakar rally in Africa on Mitsubishi Motors' worldwide
off-road motorsports competition calendar.
    "Now that we've conquered the African Paris-Dakar rally, the Baja 2000 in
Mexico was our next logical step," said Pierre Gagnon, executive vice
president and chief operating officer, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America.
"The Baja race subjects our SUVs to extreme off-road conditions and provides
the ultimate demonstration of the durability of the Montero Sport platform.
It also represents the ideal continuation of the Mitsubishi racing heritage."
    Drivers for this years' legendary race include Hiroshi Masuoka, a
development test driver and safety driver instructor for Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation and two-time Paris-Dakar Rally class winner; John Holmes, an
off-road racer with experience both behind the wheel and with the design,
prepping and mechanics of desert race cars; Ryan Thomas, a young up-and-coming
off-road racer with four SCORE Baja 1000 victories; and Scot Jones, whose
off-road victories run from Las Vegas to Mexico.  Co-drivers are Pascal
Maimont, Matt Hutchins, Kevin Mahan and Sue Mead.  The rugged Mitsubishi
Montero Sport will compete in Class 3I (International Class 3), per SCORE
class specification rules.
    Mitsubishi is no stranger to racing.  In addition to the Paris-Dakar
rally, Mitsubishi Motors has achieved great success in numerous other events
around the world, including the World Rally Championship races held in various
European, Asian and South American countries.  Mitsubishi Montero (Pajero),
Montero Sport (Challenger) and Lancer Evolution (modified Lancer/Mirage sedan)
are prominent players in their respective races, with first place finishes,
praise and ovation from drivers and enthusiasts alike.
    As modified for the race, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Montero Sport features a
3.5-liter V6 DOHC 24-valve engine producing 300-hp at 7,000 rpm and peak
torque of 264 pounds per foot at 3,500 rpm.  With a steel and carbon fiber
body, the Montero Sport chassis features a front independent double wishbone
suspension with torsion bars and stabilizer bar and a three-link rigid rear
axle with coil springs and stabilizer bar.  Power assisted recirculating ball
steering, ventilated power four-wheel disc brakes, a five-speed manual
transmission and Yokohama LT 265/75 R16 Geolandar AT+ tires round out the
Mitsubishi Montero Sport package.
    The year 2000 rings in the 33rd running of the Tecate SCORE Baja race, the
oldest and most well known of all desert races.  Since 1967, Baja has been
home to this enduring race which has been extended from the traditional 1000
miles to nearly 2000 miles in commemoration of the new millennium.  Nearly 300
competitors from around the world are expected to participate in this year's
historic race with competition held in 23 Pro classes for cars, trucks,
motorcycles and ATVs.
    Mitsubishi's entry into the Baja 2000 complements its presenting
sponsorship of the Ramada Express Hotel and Casino International Rally to be
held in Laughlin, Nevada December 14th through 17th, 2000.  This three-day
event crosses through the various landscapes of Nevada, Arizona and the
Hualapai Indian Nation near the Grand Canyon.  Additionally, Mitsubishi Motors
will sponsor Rhys Millen of the Millen racing family in his Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution 6.5 RS rally car.

    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.