16 July 2004 - 11:17 Sousa bids to continue winning Baja streak for Mitsubishi Baja Spain - preview

Portugal's Carlos Sousa and Andorra-based co-driver Henri Magne will be bidding to win their third successive Baja-type event, when they tackle the Baja Spain Aragon on July 22-24th at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports- prepared Pajero/Montero Evolution.

The defending FIA World Cup champions have won the last two rounds of the FIA European Baja Cup for Drivers in Portugal and Italy, although the Spanish round of the series is arguably the most difficult. They are the clear leaders of this year's FIA Baja Championship after taking maximum points on the opening two rounds, although the Spanish event is also the fourth round of the 2004 FIA World Cup.

This will be Sousa's fourth appearance in a Pajero/Montero Evolution. He will be hoping to improve on his last two outings on the Zaragoza-based event. Carlos finished second overall behind Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser at the wheel of a Mitsubishi L200 Pick-Up in 2002 and seventh overall last season in a similar car.

The Lisbon-based driver‘s car will run with additional support from Mitsubishi Portugal and Portuguese companies GALP, TMN and BPN.

“Carlos has shown great potential this season and is learning and getting better all the time," said MMSP's Team Director Dominique Serieys. “He has won rallies in Portugal and Italy in the factory Evolution this year and drove very well to finish third in Morocco against a very strong field. We are confident that he can repeat this performance in Spain.“

Sousa faces a stiff challenge over the narrow rural tracks and dusty forest roads in Central Spain – where outside temperatures are lilely to reach 40 degrees Centigrade in the heat of the midday sun - from a strong entry. They include the UAE's Khalifa Al-Motaiwi, who currently lies second overall in the FIA World Cup Drivers‘ Championship standings behind Mitsubishi's Stйphane Peterhansel and 13 points ahead of Sousa.

Mitsubishi has won the Baja Spain on three occasions in the past. Jean Da Silva clinched victory in 1986 and 1987, although the last winners for the Japanese marque were Swedes Kenneth Eriksson and Steffan Parmander at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero back in 1991.

The event began in 1983, is organised by the Real Automobile Federation of Spain and starts with a traditional Prologue stage, near Zaragoza, on Friday, July 22nd.

Two days of competitive selectives, each split into two sections and totalling around 1000 kms, will decide whether Sousa can complete a hat-trick of Baja victories this year. The event finishes in Zaragoza on Saturday, July 24th.

Press Release
Mitsubishi Motors Team, 17/07/2004