Tommi Makinen Announces Retirement

[freakray]

It seems that Tommi has finally decided to put some truth behind the rumors and will no longer be competing in 2004.

Tommi Mäkinen today announced his decision to make 2003 the closing season of his extraordinary career in rallying. The 39-year-old Finn will continue to compete with Subaru on the final five events of the 2003 Championship, which culminates with Rally GB on 7-9 November.

http://www.swrt.com/434309.html
http://www.wrc-online.net/article.asp?stid=2378

Although it is definitely sad to see this man leave our favorite sport, there is no denying he hasn't exactly been on the pace for at least the last 2 seasons, or should I say since joining Subaru.

The flipside of this official announcement is that it opens up the second driver's seat at Subaru so now we can start speculating about who will fill that empty seat.

All the best to Tommi, maybe in a few years time we will see him following Vatanen on the Dakar and other Raid Rallies.

[z33guy]

I wish he was more competitive at subaru. I wonder who will get his seat.

[-Pille-]

Wow... I'm really sad to see him go. Hope he will at least get some good results from the remaining races - he deserves it.

-Pille-

[freakray]

THe question of who will fill the space left by Tommi has been answered:

http://www.swrt.com/434612.html

[ales]

Burnsie!!! Nah, not surprised at all. Sad to see Tommi go though - he's the champion with the capital C.

[z33guy]

I figured he would go back....yay

[bigfrit]

That was news that could be anticipated...
Being the least good of the two Subaru racers, always behind Mr.Hollywood... He was getting a bit rusty IMO.

But still he will be remembered as a mitsubishi driver and world champion, no matter what he drives now.

He's there in the list , along with Vatanen, Munaru, Blomqvist, and more recently Grönholm.

Thank you Tommy for your aggressivity, your controlled rage and the successes you brought to the Mitsubishi team... You will be missed, but it's time to pass the torch to the young generation.

Olivier

[RallyRaider]

Very sad to see a champion like Tommi retire. However I'm glad he has done it now rather than struggle on without the speed he once had.

All of a sudden, instead of looking like there won't be enough seats to go round next year, it seems there may be some difficulty filling them all with top drivers.

[gnasha]

Agreed. That is leaving a god spot at Peugeot, anyone predicted for it or will they keep Panizzi or Rovenpera? Btw is the new ruling about the third driver passed yet?

Three cheers for Tommy, another case of amazing flying finn.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by gnasha

Agreed. That is leaving a god spot at Peugeot, anyone predicted for it or will they keep Panizzi or Rovenpera? Btw is the new ruling about the third driver passed yet?

Three cheers for Tommy, another case of amazing flying finn.

The rule has indeed been passed, that is why there is such a debate as to who is going to what team....because there are less spots available due to this rule.

[gnasha]

May be this vacant position at peugeot could sort out the Mc Rae / Sainz position as Loeb being confirmed. The question is to know who will be the one to move.

[Guido]

With the new regulations, an era has ended, so Tommi thought it was time to call it a day. With such a record, I think he has choosen the right moment to step aside and make place for the new generation.

I'll remember him as one of the best Gr.A rally drivers.

[Marco_Wrc]

Originally Posted by freakray

Although it is definitely sad to see this man leave our favorite sport, there is no denying he hasn't exactly been on the pace for at least the last 2 seasons, or should I say since joining Subaru.

So true.

Goodbye Tommi, sad to see you leave the WRC.