24.1.2009 - Toni Gardemeister was forced to retire Rally of Monte Carlo

10th Rally of Monte Carlo for Toni Gardemeister was finished into frustrating retirement just before three special stages before finish. At that time Gardemeister was in second position.

Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen started final rally day with superb performance as they gained second position after first stage of the day. When drivers headed towards legendary special stage of Turini, Gardemeister tried to maintain his second position and to catch leader Sebastien Ogier.

Difficulties started just few minutes before start of the stage as electricity voltage started to drop and engine lost power. After Turini Gardemeister lost all electricity from his car and was forced to stop his Fiat Grande Punto at transit section.

- I'm very, very dissapointed for the retirement. Before the stage we discussed how excellent it is to rally for podium positions after very difficult previous season. And then Miss Fortuna turned her back on us, told Gardemeister.

- Whole rally was full of problems but we thought to sort them out. However this was not the case this time and therefore this retirement is very very frustrating for me, Gardemeister continued after the retirement.

Winner of the rally was french Sebastien Ogier with Peugeot 207 S2000.

Monte Carlo rally 2009 final results:
1) Sebastien Ogier, Peugeot 207 S2000
2) Freddy Loix, Peugeot 207 S2000
3) Stephane Sarrazin, Peugeot 207 S2000
4) Jan Kopecky, Skoda Fabia S2000
****
6) Anton Alen - Timo Alanne, Fiat Grande Punto S2000

Retirements:
Juho Hänninen - Mikko Markkula, Skoda Fabia, off road
Toni Gardemeister - Tomi Tuominen, Fiat Grande Punto, electrics

21.1.2009 - Toni Gardemeister ready for Monte Carlo - Legendary rally is an opener for IRC rally series

As World Rally Championship is heading on its' transit season, other rally series steps up. One of these is IRC rally series, which is a playground for Super2000 rally cars. These cars are those which are with some modifications to enter for World Rally Championship from season 2010 on. S2000 cars are 4WD and two litres but without turbo.

IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) rally series is very international as it includes legendary rallies like Monte Carlo, Safari and San Remo.

Season 2009 kicks off with Monte Carlo at the Wednesday morning. In next three days the drivers measure their speed in the region of Monaco and Valencia. Also legendary Turini stage is on program at Friday.

Monte Carlo rally start list is wonderful to read as there are three Flying Finnish drivers against several well-known rally drivers. Juho Hänninen enters with Skoda manufacturer rally driver, Anton Alen charges in Fiat Abarth manufacturer team and Toni Gardemeister measures his speed with Astra Racing Fiat Abarth rally car.

Also World Rally Champion Didier Auriol drivers for the victory with Peugeot 207 S200 and Sebastien Ogier, a prodigee for Sebastien Loeb, enters the rally with similar Peugeot 207 S2000.

Toni Gardemeister has been successfull in Monte as in season 2005 he finished the event in second position and one year later in third position. His thoughts for season 2009 rally are on Podium.

- Even we're rallying with privateer Fiat Abarth S2000 I strongly believe to drive for the victory. However the weather conditions are harder than ever on my career, but I believe it suits well for me, told Gardemeister before heading the stages.

Season 2009 Rally of Monte Carlo is very special for Gardemeister as he celebrates his 10-year entry for the event. Co-driver for Gardemeister is Tomi Tuominen. More information from the rally can be found at www.rally-irc.com.

6.1.2009 - Gardemeister for Monte

Toni Gardemeister will take the start of the Monte Carlo Rally later this month at the wheel of an Abarth Grande Punto S2000 run by well-known Italian team Astra Racing.

Gardemeister, who finished second overall on the Monte Carlo Rally in 2005, has enjoyed a long association with Astra over the years and is a strong candidate for victory on the opening round of the IRC.

The 33-year-old Finn also has plenty of experience on the Monte Carlo Rally, having contested the event nine times. He last drove for Astra Racing in Monte Carlo in 2006, finishing third on that occasion with a privately-entered Peugeot. Up until the end of last year Gardemeister was a full-time factory driver on the World Rally Championship, offering a perfect blend of youth and experience.

Astra Racing's Luca Pregliasco commented: "We've had the pleasure of working with Toni for a long time, and we've always known that he is an absolute star. He's not only an excellent driver, but an excellent person as well. Because we already have a good relationship with him, I'm sure we will be up to speed straight away when it comes to working together. We've got a good car, so we're all really looking forward to the rally now and we can't wait to get started!"

The Monte Carlo Rally gets underway with a ceremonial start from Monaco on the evening of Tuesday January 20, before the competitors tackle 14 stages totalling around 285 competitive kilometres.