Mika
Häkkinen will participate in the 2003 Arctic Lapland Rally in northern Finland
on 24 and 25 January driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII WRC2. It will be
Häkkinen’s first rally following his eleven-year career in the Formula One
World Championship.
Häkkinen will remain signed to DaimlerChrysler family even as a one-off
rally driver. DaimlerChrysler own a 37.3 percent share of Mitsubishi Motors.
"I always wanted to compete in a rallye and I’m sure the comparison
between this sport and Formula One will prove interesting for the spectators as
well. But I want to make clear that this is not to start a second career in
motor sport,” said Häkkinen.
The competition starts and ends in the Finnish city of Rovaniemi located at
the Arctic Circle. The rally features 15 special stages on roads with deep snow,
little daylight and at temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius and below.
Sven Quandt, head of Motor Sports activities for Mitsubishi Motors in Europe,
said: “We are very proud that Mika asked us to prepare a Lancer Evolution
VII WRC2 for his rallying debut. Even though this will be strictly a private
entry, it will be of high significance for us as not only Mitsubishi but the
whole rally sport will benefit from Mika’s popularity not only in his home
country Finland.”