Mitsubishi regular Ed Ordynski won the opening round of the 2002 Rally of Canberra behind the wheel of a Ralliart Australia-prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII after an action-packed final leg that saw only 19 of the day's 33 starters reach the finish. Only 15 cars completed the whole event.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution E.Ordynski / I.Stewart

Asia-Pacific Rally Championship contender Possum Bourne was the most significant casualty, his Subaru Impreza being forced out after a jammed gearbox three stages from the end led to engine problems.

Australian Mitsubishi drivers Spencer Lowndes and Chris Atkinson, who had been placed third and fifth overnight, were forced to retire after crashing there cars. Overheating problems slowed New Zealander Geof Argyle's Lancer Evo VI, but Australian Scott Pedder was able to sneak his Evo VI ahead for a fine second place finish.

Behind Argyle, Australian Mark Lintott claimed fourth place. Unfortunately, Lintott made a last-minute decision not to officially enter this year's Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

A surprised and delighted Nico Caldarola climbed from eighth to fifth, claiming first place and the Group N win amongst the APRC field in his Top Run Lancer Evo VII.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution E.Ordynski / I.Stewart

Two places behind, New Zealander Brian Green (Lancer Evo VI) was the only other Asia-Pacific series driver to complete the entire event. However fellow New Zealander Reece Jones and Kenyan Alistair Cavenagh took advantage of the restart provision to score bonus APRC points on the final day.

Their gain came at the expense of several other APRC drivers who were less fortunate. Malaysia's Saladin Mazlin crashed his Hyundai Accent WRC as did John Lloyd of the UK swerved to avoid a kangaroo that ventured onto the road. Japan's Nobuhiro Tajima also hit a kangaroo, and retired his Suzuki Ignis soon afterwards with a broken driveshaft.

The next APRC round is the Rally of New Caledonia, which starts on the 31st of May and ends on the 2nd of June.