Panizzi, Galli prepare for Japanese debut.

While team-mate Harri Rovanpera heads to Rally Japan with prior knowledge of the event following a sixth place finish in 2004, Gilles Panizzi and Gigi Galli will both be competing on the event for the first time this weekend as Mitsubishi expands to a three car team for its home round of the WRC.

Rally Japan marks the first time in 2005 that the Japanese manufacturer has run all three drivers on a WRC event with expectations high of a strong home result.

"Rally Japan is a very important event for the team and I am expecting our crews to show another good performance," Isao Torii, head of Mitsubishi motor sports said. "We continue to make improvements, the car and drivers go well, and Gilles is also ready for action once again."

Panizzi will be competing for the first time in Rally Japan, although the Frenchman is a well-known character on Japanese soil after promotional trips to the country. With the event his first competitive outing since the Cyprus Rally back in May, the Frenchman said he was keen to do well.

"I will do the maximum for sure, like always," he said. "I know very little about Rally Japan so I will discover the region for the first time and hope to be able to make good pace notes and have a nice feeling with the car. My last time driving on gravel was in Cyprus, but I am very happy to be back with the team for its home event. My feeling about Japan is good; I have been twice to Tokyo, which was fantastic, and there is a very nice relationship with the people. I am looking forward to going back."

Galli will also be making a debut outing in Rally Japan, but has already shown this year that he can quickly get up to speed on events he hasn't competed on in the past. Like Panizzi, the Italian said he hoped to put in a strong performance.

"My strategy for Japan is the same as it has been all year; to gain experience and understanding of the conditions," he said. "If we can make a nice result at the same time, then that is very good, especially as it is the home event for Mitsubishi."