18 March 2005
Mitsubishi Confirms Driver Line Up For Propecia Rally Nz
Mitsubishi has confirmed its line-up of drivers for Propecia Rally New Zealand. Italian Gigi Galli has been awarded the
drive ahead of French tarmac ace Gilles Panizzi.
Mitsubishi had quite correctly allowed themselves time in naming their second driver due to Corona Rally Mexico falling
less than 5 weeks out from Propecia Rally NZ.
The Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports WRC team scored points with both its nominated Lancer WRC05s in the Corona Rally
México, the third round of the 2005 FIA World Rally Championship. Harri Rovanperä and Risto Pietiläinen fought hard to
finish fifth and team-mates Gilles and Hervé Panizzi took two points as the seventh placed manufacturer’s finisher. This
result means Mitsubishi are the only one of the six manufacturers to achieve a 100% points scoring record over the three
WRC rounds held so far this year. Mitsubishi’s third successive double points haul from Monte-Carlo, Sweden and now
México means it matches Ford on points in the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, although Mitsubishi take
third place in the standings, based on finishing positions this year.
GIANLUIGI GALLI DRIVER PROFILE
Born: January 13th, 1973
Nationality: Italian
Family: Single
Resides: Livigno (I)
Career Highlights:
1994 Rally debut
1998 6th Production Car World Rally Championship *
(Group N winner Rallye San Remo-Rallye d'Italia)
1999 7th Production Car World Rally Championship *
(Group N winner Rallye San Remo-Rallye d'Italia)
2002 9th FIA Junior World Rally Championship
2004 1st Group N Rally Finland *, 1st Group N (6th overall) Rallye d’Italia-Sardinia *, 7 Rally Catalunya-Rally de
España (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC04)
2005 7th WRC Round 2 – Rally Sweden*
* Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Group N)
In other Manufacturer news, Skoda has recalled Janne Tuohino for the Rally New Zealand in place of fellow Finn Jani
Paasonen.
The second official Fabia will generally be split between the two this season. Skoda is thought to have been unimpressed
with Paasonen’s Mexican performance. He destroyed an engine in the shakedown, then crashed on the second stage,
rejoining solely because of the “superally” dispensation.
Propecia Rally New Zealand Hair Raising Statistic #6 Propecia Rally NZ could well visit the Manukau City Super Stage for
the last time. If motorway construction proceeds on schedule, it could be the last opportunity to witness the Super
Stage during the 05 event. Propecia Rally NZ, April 7-10.
For further details visit www.rallynz.org.nz
ENDS