12.7.2008 - Gardemeister was forced to retire his summer vacation rally due engine failure

Suzuki World Rally Team driver Toni Gardemeister is spending his summer vacation for few more weeks. During his holiday he participated into his home rally which was also the fifth round for Finnish Rally Championship event. After pneultimate seven stage Gardemeister was forced to retire the rally due broken engine sump. After seven stages of intense rallying Gardemeister were in 2 minutes and 58 seconds lead of group-F.

Gardemeister and his girlfriend co-driver Miia Katajala enjoyed rallying with group-F RWD BMW M3 rally car. Flying Finns made fastest special stage time for all driven seven special stages. Only driver who could match the speed of Gardemeister was Mikko Kauppinen. However he was also forced to retire the rally due engine failure after sixth stage. Therefore Jari Inkilä was able to win the rally due misfortune of Gardemeister and Kauppinen.

At prize giving gala the speed of Gardemeister was one of the biggest topics. Especially the time he made for fourth stage gave lots of think about for many drivers; With his RWD rally car Gardemeister was seventh fastest among WRC and Group-N 4WD turbocharged rally cars. Same pattern was repeated on seventh stage.

– We had an excellent rally day until the transit section of pneultimate and final stage when suddenly oil preassure lamp started to shine. I steered a side and noticed that there was a crack on engine sump. As oil was leaking away from the engine and we still had one special stage and long transit section ahead of us I decided to retire the event to spare the engine from complete dissaster, told Gardemeister.

– It was very wonderful to see that my speed hasn't gone anywhere. I was glad to made very good special stage times as I was also able to challenge turbocharged 4WD rally cars. Naturally I'm sad for the retirement but this time it's ok because in this season I've been forced to get used to it in World Rally Championship series, Gardemeister continued.

Towards WRC Finland with new plans

All World Rally Championship serie rally drivers are finishing their summer vacations as there are few weeks for the start of the second half of the season. There are lots of WRC teams could be seen on Finland doing their pre-rally tests. Suzuki rallies their WRC Finland pre-rally tests on rally week. Suzuki introduces new rally parts for the car to improve its' speed and reliability for SX4 WRC. Gardemeister welcomes new parts.

– There are four gravel and three tarmac events to be rallied on second half of the season. It's very good that the team makes developement work for the car and we're able to test it before WRC Finland. Let's home we'll soon be able to collect more Championship points and to give more boost for the team, Gardemeister planned.

Final results SM O.K. Auto rally, group-F:
1. Jari Inkilä & Jyrki Nieminen, BMW M3, 51.36;8
2. Jukka Korhonen & Matti Pitkänen, Toyota Corolla GT, +0,5sek
3. Jarkko Ojala & Eero Sokero, Toyota Starlet, +58,2 sek
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retirement. Toni Gardemeister & Miia Katajala, BMW M3, broken engine sump

1.7.2008 - Toni Gardemeister seeks speed to WRC Finland from SM O.K Auto rally

Suzuki World Rally driver Toni Gardemeister, age of 33, speeds for WRC Finland by entering his home rally with group-F BMW M3 rally car. SM O.K Auto rally is fifth round for Finnish Rally Championship and a single rally for Gardemeister as prepares himself for WRC Finland by seeking the speed from very fast paced Finnish gravel special stages.

A year ago Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen won group-F in same rally. Their margin for victory was over two minutes. In this season Gardemeister won't be rallying with Tuominen as his job is taken over for this rally by Tonis' girlfriend Miia Katajala.

– Tomi couldn't make to defend our victory and therefore I was forced to seek a new co-driver for my home rally. I didn't have to seek the co-driver far away because my girlfriend Miia Katajala took the challenge and co-drives me in our home rally. It has been exactly 10 years since we together drove a rally and therefore it'll be very interesting to see how our co-operation works, Gardemeister thinks.

– In present season I've been very busy with Suzuki and therefore my own group-F BMW M3 rally car has been on its' resting place for approximately 10 months. Fortunately we still have 10 days to prepare the car for the rally, Gardemeister continued.

Very demanding special stages ahead

In SM O.K Auto rally there are lots of drivers preparing themselves for WRC Finland. One of them is Citroen manufacturer rally driver Daniel Sordo. A year ago he entered the event and discovered how demanding the stages really are. He went off and crashed his car in fourth stage. The special stages reminds a lot of the special stages used in WRC Finland. Gardemeister knows the secret of his home region stages.

– If you're fast here in Kouvola, you're fast in WRC Finland. Tempo, demanding and rollercoaster ride combines the special stages of these rallies. Drivers really needs to be cautious for the surprise jumps and they also need to focus in every corner because small mistake can very soon be game over for the competitor, Gardemeister analyzed.

- I feel very comfortable on rallying here in Finland. There are lots of spectators on the stages and if you crash there are immediately fifty people helping you back on the stage. Its' very wonderful to rally as the spectators cheers you up, Gardemeister continued.

SM O.K Auto rally is being driven on July 11th-12th. Nearly real-time timing service can be found at www.tenab.net.