Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N Jouko Puhakka 2001 Gr.N Finnish Champion

Mitsubishi Carisma GT driver Jouko Puhakka has won the 2001 Group N Finnish Rally Championship after dominating the series from start to finish. In doing so, the Finn has also upheld Mitsubishi’s enviable record of taking victory in the Drivers’ Championship - with either Group A or Group N cars - every year since 1990, and the Manufacturers’ Championship since 1992.

"This year has been fantastic", commented Jouko. "The car has been perfect, the Pirelli tyres have worked really well and the whole team is just on a level of it’s own. For me, this season has been very hard. At the end of last year I broke both my wrists when I fell off the roof of our summer cottage and the doctor told me I could not drive again until March. But the Championship started with the Arctic Rally in January and I had to drive. It was very painful but our speed was okay. After that my hands were working better and I really started to enjoy my driving. In some of the events we challenged and beat World Rally Cars, which was great. The whole year has been fantastic".

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N J. Puhakka / K. Eerola

Of the seven rallies in the series, Jouko won no fewer than five and set fastest times on 50 percent of the special stages. And, in total, the Finn only dropped eight points during the entire season, amassing an impressive 100 points from a maximum 108.

The Finnish Rally Championship comprises seven events, three run in winter conditions and the remaining four during the summer months. Of the 36 Group N crews contesting the series, no fewer than 32 were in Mitsubishi machinery and Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Finland, managed by Pekka Koski, not only took the overall title, but also second position with 26-year-old Jouni Ampuja.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N Top: J. Puhakka (right) & K. Eerola Bottom (from left to right): J. Laaksonen, J. Lehtinen, J. Ampuja (2nd) & J. Hellman (3rd)