13.7.2009 - Toni Gardemeister fastest driver in final day of Rally Nations

Toni Gardemeister was fastest driver in final day of mexican Rally Nations. In Sunday there were only two stages driven and Gardemeister started the day with fastest special stage time. In second stage he was second fastest. Gardemeister pushed the pedal because he had made a bet with his season 2008 swedish team mate.

- Me and Per Gunnar Andersson had a bet for the result of first stage of the final day. P-G started the stage before us and was waiting at the end of the stage. We were four seconds faster than him and ofcourse won the bet, told smiling Gardemeister after the rally.

Spanish Daniel Sola drove fastest special stage time for final super special stage and Gardemeister was second.

Rally of Nations was won by austrian Manfred Stohl. Double victory for austrians was secured by Andreas Aigner. However teams cup was won by Spain with Daniel Sola and Xavier Pons. Eventually Sola was fifth fastest and Pons 10th fastest.

12.7.2009 - Toni Gardemeister suffered a retirement also in Saturday at Rally of Nations

Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister continued Mexican Rally of Nations by Super Rally Rule after retirement he suffered in Friday. In Saturday Gardemeister aimed for fastest special stage times and from the start it look well because in first stage of second day he was third fastest driver after having a spin on the stage. At the end of the stage his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX rally car suffered a brake failure. After the stage Gardemeister and co-driver Tomi Tuominen tried to make service work for the brakes but there wasn't any tool nor brake liquid spare for the car.

At the second stage Gardemeister had a puncture as his left rear wheel broke up. Finns drove beside the stage to change the tyre. However one wheel bolt was stuck and they couldn't change the tyre. Eventually after rim had cooled down they could change the tyre and continue rallying way beyond their fellow competitors.

In third stage of the day Gardemeister fullfilled his goal by driving a fastest special stage time. Also in fourth stage of the day he drove shared fastest special stage time but on the first corner of fifth stage a drive shaft broke up and it was again game over for Gardemeister.

- It feels like everytime when things starts to go well something breaks up. This has been a rally theme for me since last year. I'm very frustrated about it, Gardemeister tells.

Another Flying Finn Harri Rovaperä had a steady run despite his engine was overheating a lot. In the afternoon stages Harri was able to find his pace and special stage times were pretty good.

- I noticed that it takes a time to get back to the speed after three years of very passive rallying. Now I was able to get back to mood, told Rovanperä.

Eventually his joy was short period because in final stage of the day his engine broke up and Rovanperä steered a side after the finish of the stage.

The rally is lead by austrian Andreas Aigner and Spain is rallying into superior victory in teams Cup.

11.7.2009 - Toni Gardemeister suffered a retirement in Rally of Nations

Mexican Rally of Nations wasn't successfull for Finns on its' opening day as Harri Rovanperä and Toni Gardemeister suffered retirements due technical difficulties. Rovanperä retired before first stage when bottom arm bolt broke up.

- I have never ever experienced same kind of problem. Before the stage I warmed the tyres and suddenly one tyre twisted under the car. Old bottom arm bolt broke up and it was game over for us, told Rovanperä his retirement.

Toni Gardemeister started the rally with good pace as in first service park he was in third position. However on second loop he also suffered technical difficulties.

- Car owner hadn't secured the steering bolts and eventually it broke up. Fortunately it didn't happen in a fast paced section, told Gardemeister.

Before the retirement Gardemeister drove one fastest special stage time and according split times he was about to rally next fastest stage time but then it was game over also for him.

- It's very scary fact that both cars suffered similar problem. During the night our team has to check three times all things from our car. Then we might consider on continuing the rally with Super Rally rule on Saturday. In other case we're going to be beside pool taking sun, told Gardemeisters' co-driver Tomi Tuominen.

Rally of Nations is led by austrian Manfred Stohl and Spain is leading teams cup.

9.7.2009 - Gardemeister fastest in Rally of Nations shakedown

Toni Gardemeister and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen showed their speed in Mexican Rally of Nations by being the fastest pair in shakedown with their group-n Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX rally car.

Gardemeister drove the shakedown stage three seconds faster than the second, swedish Patrik Sandell. Third was ex-World Rally Champion Didier Auriol. Another Flying Finn, Harri Rovanperä returned to behind steering wheel of a rally car after three years break. He finished the stage seventh fastest.

Gardemeister was in good speed because all three fastest special stage times were written to him. The rally will start on Friday and ends on Sunday.

Rally of Nations shakedown results
1)Toni Gardemeister 3.02,4
2)Patrik Sandell 3.05,4
3)Didier Auriol 3.07,0
...
7)Harri Rovanperä 3.08,4

30.6.2009 - Toni Gardemeister to complement Corona Team Finland

Corona Rally Mexico, in its Rally of Nations edition, has confirmed the presence of yet another of the world's leading names to race on the outskirts of Guanajuato from July 9th to 12th next: the Finnish driver Toni Gardemeister will team up with Harri Rovanperä to create a highly competitive and spectacular duo. Gardemeister and Rovanperä are already getting ready for their arrival in the city of León, Guanajuato.

With this confirmation, Finland has brought together two of its greatest drivers of the last few years. Gardemeister, who began in the WRC category in 1997 and has been a member of teams such as Seat, Skoda, Ford, Citroën, Mitsubishi and Suzuki, has made the podium on six occasions in the ultimate world circuit.

The Finnish driver has fond memories of Corona Rally Mexico, his having been the first driver to cross the start line in 2005. Mexican audiences were immediately drawn to the man who arrived as the then leader of the World Rally Championship with the Ford team, ultimately finishing in sixth place. He raced again in 2008, this time as official driver for the Suzuki team, although he failed to finish on that occasion.

The 34-year-old driver has expressed his delight at having another opportunity to compete in Mexico, given the quality of the event and its impact worldwide, as the TV coverage of the Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations, will be broadcast in more than 138 countries.

Gardemeister will be behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2.0-liter engine 4WD.

With the name of Corona Team Finland behind them, Toni Gardemeister and Harri Rovanperä are the first team to be tipped as favorites, although they have a tough task ahead against drivers and countries yet to be announced by the organizers.