Co-driver Carl Williamson.
On special stage two I was third overall, but on third stage differential lock broke down and I was forced to quit.
retirement SS3
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car.
Service team Fairfield Motorsport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
Bad luck kept on. Again came up electrical faults, this time before the start.
retirement SS1
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car.
Service team Fairfield Motorsport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
Contest started splendid but it stopped at the beginning of 3rd stage due to electrical fault.
“I was third overall, when I had to retire. In contest there were drivers from England, Germany, Italy and Ireland”.
Newspapers in England wrote: “Finnish sensation shows he is world class.”
retirement SS3
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6,5 four-wheel drive, group A as rally car.
Service team Fairfield Motorsport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
My first rally with four-wheel drive. It was very dusty through the rally. On two last stages we had gearbox troubles and motor temperature was a bit too high, but I managed to drive to the finish line.
Motorsport news: “After two stages promising Finnish youngster Jari-Matti Latvala set third fastest time and moved up to fourth overall, revelling in the increased grip from his Mitsubishi Lancer E6. Latvala continued to impress finishing sixth”.
6th overall, Class B13 5th
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6,5 group N, four-wheel drive.
Service team Fairfield Motorsport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
Big problems through the rally. Nevertheless last to the finish.
85th overall.
Citroen Saxo, S16, front-wheel drive.
Service team Asquith Autosport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
Contest went well all day. Just before the last special stage I was 15th in overall and I was leading my class. But on final stage motor fell to pieces. Misfortune continued.
retirement SS8
Group N, front-wheel drive Renault Clio as rally car.
Service team Asquith Autosport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Carl Williamson.
On stage three, I cut and hit chicane, when lower control arm twisted and made a hole to gearbox. I only just get to the finish of that stage.
On next special stage the oil flowed on to exhaust pipe and it caught fire. But luckily it rained and fire went out. I reached to the finish of stage four
retirement SS5
Citroen Saxo, S16, front-wheel drive as rally car.
Service team Asquith Autosport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Steve Harris.
Troubles with gearbox, gears were missing and clutch was slipping. Finally on stage six, clutch broke down completely and I was forced to retire.
retirement SS6
Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive.
Asquith Autosport as service team.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Steve Harris.
Car was repaired but breaks not. We drove the event only with front brakes.
Motorsport news: “The young Flying Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala, was back for more heroics after his previous day’s adventures, finishing third in class and tenth overall in his Renault Clio”.
10th overall, Class S5 3rd
Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive.
Asquith Autosport as service team.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.
Co-driver Steve Harris.
My first rally in tarmac and first rally, where I could learn the route beforehand. I had tremendous problems through the whole rally. Left rear bearing broke and that caused loosen wheel. We didn´t surrender, so we drove to finish with only three wheels.
Motorsport news: “Drive of the day. Jari-Matti Latvala twice lost a rear wheel on his Clio when the bearing collapsed. But the fearless Finn reached service each time and won his class despite road penalties. A star is born.”
48th overall, Class S5 1st
Rally car: Renault Clio, group N, front-wheel drive.
Asquith Autosport as service team.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.