22.01.2010 - Toni Gardemiester retired in Monte Carlo due high engine temperatures

Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister continued to improve his 10th position in IRC Monte Carlo rally on third day. However he was forced to retire the event on first transit section of the day due high engine temperatures. Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen suffered high engine temperatures from off they experienced in second rally day.

- We didn't want to take any risks to have an engine failure and therefore we were forced to retire the event, told deeply dissapointed Gardemeister.

- My dissapointed is very hard because we were facing legendary special stage of Turini, which is as difficult as legendary Finnish Ouninpohja stage. I've always enjoyed a lot of Turini and drove good special stage times on it. Now my long awaited enjoyment is not going to happen, Gardemeister continues.

IRC Monte Carlo rally is lead by fellow Finn Mikko Hirvonen, who drivers the debut rally of brand new Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car. Second is another Finn Juho Hänninen with Skoda Fabia S2000. He's 44,1 seconds slower than Hirvonen. Currently in third position is Sebastien Ogier. IRC Monte Carlo rally is finished by midnight.

Monte Carlo Rally classifications after 11/15 special stages:
1) Mikko Hirvonen - Jarmo Lehtinen Ford Fiesta 3:12.44,0
2) Juho Hänninen - Mikko Markkula Skoda Fabia +44,1 sec
3) Sebastien Ogier Peugeot 207 +48,0 sec

21.01.2010 - Gardemeister had a rough rally day in Monte Carlo rally

Second rally day in Monte Carlo Rally was very unsuccessful for Toni Gardemeister. In first stage he suffered a puncture and was forced to stop and change the tyre. More problems caused non-functional helmet phones.

- I solved the helmet phone problem by same way as my fellow co-driver Miikka Anttila once did. I read the notes to transit section phones. Fortunately it was a salvation this time, told co-driver Tolmi Tuominen.

- We had a very wild and fast paced spin in ninth stage. We only lost front bumper and lots of valuable time but were able to continue. Near the finish of the stage we suffered another spun so the stage time wasn't good for us, Tuominen continued.

Gardemeister was very dissapointed for the day.

- I cannot recall this kind of day ever before. Nothing seemed to work and we hit snow banks and had spuns. So far the rally hasn't gone as expected, told Gardemeister in final service of the day.

Despite Gardemeister problems Finns are having double lead before the final day. Mikko Hirvonen is leading and Juho Hänninen is in second position. Third is Sebastien Ogier who is a team mate for Kimi Räikkönen this year. Toni Gardemeister is in tenth position.

Results Monte Carlo Rally 10 / 15 special stages
1) Mikko Hirvonen - Jarmo Lehtinen Ford Fiesta 3:12.44,0
2) Juho Hänninen - Mikko Markkula Skoda Fabia +47,7s
3) Sebastien Ogier Peugeot 207 +1.10,3s
4) Nicholas Vouilloz Skoda Fabia 1.34,3s
10) Toni Gardemeister - Tomi Tuominen 9.13,0

20.1.2010 - Gardemeister seventh fastest after first rally day in Monte Carlo

First rally day for Toni Gardemeister in Monte Carlo rally was a survival from small troubles. For first two stages Gardemeister choosed dry conditions tyres but it was a wrong decision and therefore he and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen lost a lot of valuable time. For third and fourth stage Finns made a secure decision but still they lost lots of time for leading driver in final stage of the day.

- I cannot quite understand the huge time loss. I tried to rally as fast as I could and expected to lose about 30 seconds. I cannot explain the gap, told dissapointed Gardemeister.

IRC Monte Carlo Rally is lead by another Flying Finn Mikko Hirvonen. Second is reighning IRC Champion Kris Meeke. Juho Hanninen is in third position and Toni Gardemeister is seventh.

19.1.2010 - Gardemeister fastest in Monte Carlo prologi

Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen set the fastest special stage time in Thuesday Prologi stage which sort the starting positions for first rally day.

Gardemeister with his Fiat Grande Punto S2000 rally car was 1,2 seconds faster than Peugeot 207 S2000 driver Nicols Vouilioz and 3,3 seconds faster than Skoda Fabia S2000 driver Jan Kopecky in special stage of 8,8 kilometres. Another Flying Finns Mikko Hirvonen drove the stage by 12,6 seconds slower with his brand new Ford Fiesta S2000 and Juho Hänninen 14,8 seconds slower with his Skoda Fabia S2000.

Monte Carlo rally starts on Wednesday by two special stages driven two times. Drivers measure their speed in over 140 special stage kilometres.

10.1.2010 - Toni Gardemeister enters IRC Monte Carlo rally with Fiat

Toni Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen enters legendary Monte Carlo rally with Fiat Grande Punto Super 2000 rally car. Traditional season opener, Monte Carlo rally is being driven in January 19th-23th and its' an opening round for Intercontinental Rally Championship series.

Gardemeister drivers with similar Fiat Grande Punto S2000 rally car which he drove a year ago in same rally. The decision to enter the rally was made just minutes before deadline for rally entry.

- We made lots of work for this event. Just few days ago I got an impression that we're not going to rally in the event. However now my feelings are very opposite because the entry is made. Monte Carlo rally is definitely one of my favorite events, Gardemeister tells.

Season 2010 edition of legendary rally is definitely going to be very challenging for all drivers. There are 15 special stages and over 400 special stage kilometres to be driven. It's more than in any World Rally Championship events, Gardemeister continues.

Weather forecasts promises lots of snow for the route. It makes rallying very hard.

- Difficult conditions are one of the factors why I love the event. These kind of conditions suites for the drivers who have lots of experience and skills. Hopefully we're one who gains success, Gardemeister hopes.

A year ago Gardemeister was second before final special stage. However he suffered technical difficulties in legendary stage of Turini and was forced to retire the event. There are also two fellow Finns rallying in event as Ford Manufacturer rally driver Mikko Hirvonen enters the event with brand new Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car and Juho Hänninen drivers with Skoda Fabia S2000.

- It'll be very unique and very competitive event. My goal are set for podium, Gardemeister wishes.

Monte Carlo 2010 Entry List
1 MEEKE Kris-NAGLE Paul Peugeot 207 S2000
2 HIRVONEN Mikko-LEHTINEN Jarmo Ford Fiesta S2000
3 KOPECKY Jan-STARY Petr Skoda Fabia S2000
4 OGIER Sébastien-INGRASSIA Julien Peugeot 207 S2000
5 HANNINEN Juho-MARKKULA Mikko Skoda Fabia S2000
6 SARRAZIN Stéphane-RENUCCI J.-Julien Peugeot 207 S2000
7 VOUILLOZ Nicolas-VEILLAS Benjamin Skoda Fabia S2000
8 GARDEMEISTER Toni-TUOMINEN Tomi Fiat Grande Punto S2000
9 MAGALHAES Bruno-MAGALHAES Carlos Peugeot 207 S2000
10 WILKS Guy-PUGH Philip Skoda Fabia S2000
11 BOUFFIER Bryan-PANSERI Xavier Subaru Impreza STI
12 WITTMANN Franz-WICHA Klaus Peugeot 207 S2000
14 MARTY Olivier-ROUX Thomas Fiat Grande Punto S2000
15 MAURIN Julien-THIMONIER Gilles Ford Fiesta S2000
16 VIGION J.-Sébastien-PREVOT Stéphane Peugeot 207 S2000
17 POUTOT Renaud-CURRAT Lionel Fiat Grande Punto S2000
18 BURRI Olivier-REY Stéphane Subaru Impreza STI
19 NOBERASCO Gabriele-MICHI Daniele Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9
20 BETTI Luca–X Peugeot 207 S2000
21 OLIVEIRA Daniel-DEL BARRIO Carlos Peugeot 207 S2000
22 ORSAK Jaroslav-VAJIK Karel Skoda Fabia S2000
23 JEREB Andrej-KACIN Miran Peugeot 207 S2000