Co-driver Carl Williamson.

Gasket burned from exhaust pipe and darkness caught us (we didn´t get extra lights in time). Regardless first and second place to Finland; Mikko Hirvonen 1st and me 2nd.

Motorsport News: “With Burton hitting trouble, Latvala was on hand to capitalise and claim second overall by a margin of four seconds. We had to keep an eye on the temperature gauge because we had to drill a hole in the front of the bonnet to fit the light pod and it seemed to upset the airflow into the engine and radiator,” said the rising Finnish star. “But apart from that, everything went quite well.”

2nd overall, Class B13 2nd

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.

On previous day car broke in international rally but the car was fixed during the night. Ten special stages. I led the rally whole time and I won with almost three minutes. I even set fastest time on one stage included international contest, even I drove 100 numbers behind.

Motorsport news: “A 17-yaers-old Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala, got his international career off to a sensational start on the Tempest Clubman’s Stages. Under the watchful eye of Pentti Airikkala, Latvala won the event by an incredible 2 min 43.1 sec over a distance of 42 stage miles.”

1st overall, Class 5 1st.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6,5 group N, four-wheel drive.
Service team Fairfield Motorsport.
Motor sport coach Pentti Airikkala.

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.