Former FIA World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen made a high profile outing on the Uusikaupunki Rally (15 September) when he and Ville Itälä, Finlands Minister of Home Affairs, piloted a Group N Mitsubishi Carisma GT as the road opening car on the seventh round of the Finnish Rally Championship.


Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N
A. Vatanen / V. Itala
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Vatanen, who is now a member of the European Parliament, is no stranger to Mitsubishi, the amiable Finn having driven for the Japanese manufacturer in the 1989 and 1990 FIA World Rally Championship.
Local metal industry company Ukitig, and Helkama-Auto Oy/Ralliart Finland sponsored the Carisma GT, which is owned by FIA member Mr. Kari O. Sohlberg.