The World Rally Championship (WRC) begins the season with the Monte Carlo Rally, one of the most challenging events on the schedule. Drivers test their skill and nerve climbing the narrow, twisty mountain roads above the seaside city of Monte Carlo. Driving conditions prove to be a real test, where the roadways often change from clear and dry to ice-covered during the course of a single stage, making tire selection critical. What may lie around the next corner is anyone’s guess.

Francois Delecour, getting adjusted to a new car and driving for a new team, couldn’t quite match the pace of the eventual winners but managed a respectable ninth place overall, finishing ahead of teammate Alister McRae. Both driver and car showed good promise, and the long-term prospect of success encouraging.

ixo models has produced a 1:43 scale replica of the #7 Mitsubishi Lancer WRC as it started the 2002 Monte Carlo Rally event. This model is nicely detailed right down to the Michelin tarmac tires and fully-detailed interior.