This week the four-time world champion has organized a test session for the new Subaru Impreza N14 in Romania. Together with Jari Ketomaa, eight mechanics and two engineers, Tommi Makinen has used the Romania Championship tarmac stages in Hunedoara and gravel stages from Subiu Rally to develop the gearbox, differentials and suspension setup. The test lasted from Monday till Saturday one day more then planned because some spare parts were late to arrive from Finland.  Tommi Makinen Racing clients from Romania (Dan Gartofan and Daniel Ungur) and Bulgaria (Krum Donchev) were present at the test session. Autorally didn’t miss this opportunity to interview Tommi Makinen.

Autorally: Your arrival in Romania was expected by many. What do you think about emerging markets like Romania and about the Romanian Rally Championship?
Tommi Makinen: Romania is very important country for us and we follow our cars performances in your rally championship. I think that Romanian Rally Championship is well known as one high quality, there is a lot of great drivers and cars. We have several clients in Romania for example, Marco Tempestini, Daniel Ungur and Dan Girtofan.

Autorally: The new Impreza N14 did not impress at his debut. When will be the new model ready to win ?
Tommi Makinen: We are testing in Romania to make the N14 competitive. We will need some other tests maybe even again in Romania. Tommi Mäkinen Racing has made lot of development work in recent months. Our cars are built with knowledge and expertise. We have tried to incorporate my engineering experience from the WRC and the world championship driving experience to give our clients the best car we can.

Autorally: You have behind you a fabulous driver career. From the four world titles that you won which was the most difficult to get ?
Tommi Makinen: The first one was the most difficult. I had so little experience and much less skills. That’s why the first victory was also my most memorable!

Autorally: In a decade of activity at the highest level of WRC who was your best team mate and why?
Tommi Makinen: All of my team mates were important to me in my career. I cannot say who was the best, because all they were so close to me.

Autorally: Which was your sweetest rally win from an impressive career ?
Tommi Makinen: The first Neste Rally 1994 was important for my career, because this event inspired me to continue and push even harder with my rallying.

Autorally: Which was your worst accident ?
Tommi Makinen: My worst accident was in Corsica 2001, when car hit the side of the mountian and my then co-driver Risto Mannisenmäki were hurt badly.

Autorally: Finland is the nation which dominated and still dominate de World Rally Championship. Could you explain the reason for this ?
Tommi Makinen: In Finland we have very strong rally culture and long history. Rally driving is very popular hobby and we have lots of drivers. Because we have so much history, we have many great examples for the young drivers to look to emulate.

Autorally: What do you think about the actual world rally championship compared to the years when you were still an works driver ?
Tommi Makinen: The WRC has changed a lot over the past few years. In my time there were lots of great drivers who could win at any time, like Kankkunen, McRae etc.

Autorally: Who is the best from Makinen vs Kankkunen vs Loeb ?
Tommi Makinen: We were all champions in our time, and we all have own strong points and weakness.

Autorally: You achieved your best performances with Mitsubishi. You were the team leader for many years and the team was built around you. Could you explain the reasons for which you had made the switch to Subaru ?
Tommi Makinen: After all the years in Mitsubishi I felt that it was a time see and try something new. Subaru offered me that great possibility. After I have retire as an active driver I am still involved Group N-group business and our plan is to help develop this area of the sport.

Autorally: Thank you and good luck with your test.

Radu Roman
Autorally.ro Team
photos from the personal archive of Radu Roman