Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Tommi Makinen started competing on farm tractors, winning the Finnish national ploughing title in 1982 and 1985. His first rally was in 1985, and he tackled his first World Championship event only two years later, when he started the 1000 Lakes Rally. By 1989, he was winning European Championship rallies. His career was transformed in 1990, when he teamed up with a vastly experienced co-driver Seppo Harjanne, winner of the 1985 World Championship with Timo Salonen - to drive a Group N Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 in five World Championship rallies. They finished twice in the top ten overall and won Group N three times. In 1994, he joined the Ford team for two events - the Mantta Rally and the 1000 Lakes - and won them both. Then he made his debut for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart in 1995, becoming World Champion in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 !

A decade ago, Risto Mannisenmaki agreed to drive a farmer's son who had been rallying for little more than year. The farmer's son, undecided whether to treat rallying as a hobby or a career, was Tommi Makinen. 10 years later, there is a natural logic to the renewed partnership between the two Finns, but no doubt either that Mannisenmaki has earned his chance to replace his renowned predecessor, Seppo Harjanne.

When he first navigated Makinen on the 1000 Lakes Rally, Mannisenmaki had been competing as an amateur for seven years and wasn't sure if he could make his living from the sport. Soon afterwards, he decided to make it his living and since then he has co-driven some of Finland's most able drivers, including Sebastian Lindholm and Ari Mokkonen.

He proved his mettle as a professional by joining forces with Tapio Laukkanen, who showed a blistering turn of speed in Volkswagen Golfs. Together, the pair won the Finnish F2 Rally Championship and took on a hectic programme, contesting 14 events in 1997, divided between the Finnish and British Championships. It was invaluable experience, both of working for a factory team and of competing abroad on a regular basis.

Mannisenmaki is no stranger to hard work then, but he realises that the World Rally Championship is an altogether tougher goal. The cars are faster, the drivers are better and the pressure of sitting beside a double World Champion is infinitely greater. Merely winning a World Rally Championship is cause for celebration.