Mitsubishi calls time on WRC - again.

In another blow to manufacturer involvement in the World Rally Championship, Mitsubishi has announced that it has decided to suspend its participation from 2006.

While the pull-out is unlikely to be permanent - Mitsubishi has hinted that it could return in 2008 - next season is now looking increasingly devoid of manufacturer entries in the top class, with Citroen, Peugeot and Skoda all having already confirmed the withdrawal of 'works' entries.

The parent Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has said that its 'revitalisation plan' has to take precedence over its WRC involvement and, having made 'a solid start' toward rejuvenating its overall business operations, the company believes that it must focus management resources on the plan. Once the three-year overhaul - which covers the period between 2005-07 - is complete, Mitsubishi hopes to be able to return to the WRC.

Unusually, the latest decision will not extend to MMSP's efforts on the Dakar Rally, where its Pajero/Montero Evolutions have proven more successful than the Lancer WRC has on the WRC.

Although Hyundai has talked about a possible part-time return in 2006, this is looking increasingly unlikely, with the wires having gone quiet some time ago, leaving Ford and the Red Bull Skoda operation to run extra cars in the WRC class, albeit in the Manufacturer Two category, with the regulations that that entails. Citroen plans to return in a factory capacity from 2007, running the new C4 WRC, while privateer team Kronos fields the leading Xsara entries next year. Peugeot has gone for the time being, deciding to focus on a Le Mans 24 Hours assault instead, while Suzuki's mooted WRC programme is not expected to see much light before 2007.

Mitsubishi's withdrawal leaves two of 2005's success stories - the spectacular Gigi Galli and rejuvenated Harri Rovanpera - joining the list of leading drivers looking for rides next season, alongside Citroen's Francois Duval, Markko Martin and former Ford team-mates Roman Kresta and Toni Gardemeister. Colin McRae is also understood to be looking for a seat after starring on Rally Australia last month, but now finds himself in an increasingly full marketplace.