Tommi Makinen - Mitsubishi vs Subaru

[Sulland]

I see that Tommi Makinen is using and selling Subaru rally cars via http://www.tommimakinen.com/
But in my head he will always be connected with the brand he won titles with: Mitsubishi !!

Anyone that knows why he ended up with doing a deal with Subaru, and not the one he made famous ?

[Tomi]

I see that Tommi Makinen is using and selling Subaru rally cars via http://www.tommimakinen.com/
But in my head he will always be connected with the brand he won titles with: Mitsubishi !!

Anyone that knows why he ended up with doing a deal with Subaru, and not the one he made famous ?

I guess because here was allready ralliart finland, but no one prepaired subarus, i have strong belives that Tommis contract to drive the subaru might have something to do with that he is a dealer now.
He is building now new bigger facilities, perhaps he will start prepairing the next generation subaru WRC cars there.

[Sulland]

Is Ralliart Finland still alive, or did they stop doing business ?

[Tomi]

yes, the drivers are kosti katajamäki and juha salo

[N]

At the time that he made the switch, Subaru was a better option. Mitsubishi was awesome during the time Makinen drove for them, but at the end, it was clear that they'll lack performance and other manufacturers will be ahead. Even if he didn't achieve much in Subaru as a driver, it was a good business oportunity. :)

[Fischer]

Good thing he changed to Subaru, the 2002 Evo was horrible, cost him the 2001 title and nearly killed his codriver in Corsica.

[koko0703]

Although I'm a big fan of Subaru, I agree Tommi is a Mitsubishi driver. But that being said, when he retired at the end of 2003 season, he (and lots of people for that matter) must've seen a big question mark over the future of Mitsubishi. Although Mitsubishi Group N machines are pretty competitive within the category, what makes the image of the brand is the top level, where Mitsubishi was very weak. So from the business point of view, I think going with Subaru must've been a more logical choice at that time.

[WRCfan]

I agree with Koko.
The Mitsi was a dog before he changed to Subaru so at the time it was the logical thing to do...In my mind always a Mitsubishi driver. The Evo6 '99 was the car that jumps to mind when I hear his name.

[White Sauron]

This weekend Tommi performed as a zero crew on the 3rd round of the Russian Rally Championship, held in Lahdenpohja, Karjala region. Guess in what car.
http://rrch.ru/images/stories/zoom/LIYMXC/080307-la08-gal_d1_ak016.jpg

The crew of the 2006 Russian Champion (and Colin McRae Dirt game's "guest star in russian version") Alexander Zheludov finished 2nd, driving the car, prepared by Tommi Makinen Racing. The winner of the event was... yes, Evgeniy Novikov... Fortunately, this season isn't dominated by him - the previous rally was won by Alexander Zheludov.
http://rrch.ru/images/stories/zoom/LIYMXC/080307-la08-gal_d1_ak004.jpg