Ralliart

Ralliart Inc. (株式会社ラリーアート Kabushiki-gaisha Rarīāto) is the motorsports division of Mitsubishi Motors. It is responsible for development and preparation of the company's rally racing and off-road racing vehicles, and is also used as a performance brand with parts available to the public. Ralliart will close its doors on April 1, 2010.[1]

Ralliart Europe was established as Andrew Cowan Motorsports (ACMS) Ltd. in 1983 by Andrew Cowan, a driver with the Mitsubishi team who had scored their first international victory in 1972 at the Southern Cross Rally. His team mate at the same event in 1975 and '76, Doug Stewart, set-up Ralliart Australia as the official regional licensee in 1988, after 22 years of experience with the company's cars. The two have subsequently served as the operational bases for Mitsubishi's global motorsport activities.

They were responsible for MMC's record of achievement in off-road racing, including the 1998 Manufacturers' Championship in the World Rally Championship, four individual Drivers' Championships for Tommi Mäkinen in 1996–99, and a record twelve wins in the Dakar Rally since 1982.

Mitsubishi consolidated their racing activities in 2003, acquiring ACMS Ltd. from Cowan while Mitsubishi Motors Australia took over Stewart's operation. This followed the formation of Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports (MMSP) GmbH in Trebur, Germany in November 2002.

Mitsubishi continues to use the Ralliart name both to sell aftermarket components and as a "halo" brand for higher-performance editions of many of its models.

External links

• Official global website

Template:Mitsubishi Motors companies