- Jari Ketomaa to drive MML Sports’ R4 in Latvia
- Csaba Spitzmuller to run own R4 in Hungary
The company that jointly developed and is now producing the official Mitsubishi R4 components, MML Sports Ltd, is now in the process of building its first two cars to the latest FIA specification. The first will be used by former Hungarian Rally Champion Csaba Spitzmuller on the Miskolc Rally while FIA World Rally Championship regular Jari Ketomaa will give the Lancer EvolutionX its first run in Latvia, on the Talsi Rally.
Spitzmuller was a regular in the MML Sports Mitsubishi Lancer WRC World Rally Car, winning the national championship in 2008. Now however, he is back in action in the Hungarian series and is having his MML Sports-built GpN EvoX converted to R4 specification, ready for the next round of the series, the Miskolc Rally over the weekend of 30 April/1 May.
The company will also be following its traditional route of demonstrating its own R4 EvoX on this year’s Talsi Rally, over the weekend of 14/15 May. As it did two years ago with the debut of the GpN EvoX, the company will return to Latvia in full force, this time with Finn Jari Ketomaa at the wheel.
Ketomaa is the four-time Finnish Rally Champion and this year, is competing in the FIA World Rally Championship in a Super 2000 car. This makes him a perfect choice to not only demonstrate MML Sports’ R4 EvoX’s capabilities, but also provide valuable feedback when comparing the R4 with S2000 – the basis for the new specification of car.
Initial tarmac testing on MML Sports’ R4 EvoX will begin in earnest very soon, with gravel development work following on immediately. This will be undertaken by both Spitzi and Ketomaa, as well as UK-based drivers to ensure that the car is as competitive as possible when it makes its competition debut.
Commenting, MML Sports Managing Director John Easton said; “I’m delighted that we already have two cars in build and interest from various other customers to convert their cars to R4. It will also be very beneficial to us to have a driver like Jari in the car, as his experience and feedback will help us to push the EvoX R4’s development even further.
“Even though he hasn’t competed in Latvia for a while, we know that the stages are very similar to those in his native Finland, in terms of the overall characteristics and I’m confident that he will be able to demonstrate just how competitive the R4 EvoX is. His experience in Super2000 will also be invaluable to us, as this is the whole reason that R4 was introduced in the first place.”
More information on the MML Sports EvoX R4, as well as pricing and order details, can be found on our dedicated Mitsubishi R4 pages HERE