12.9.2009 - Gardemeister suffered brake failure in Spainish IRC Rally

Spanish IRC Rally de Asturias was a big dissapointment for Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister as he and his co-driver suffered brake failure and dropped into deep ditch in pneultimate stage of final day. At the moment of retirement Gardemeister was in ninth position in overall classifications with his Opel Corsa S2000.

- A few corners before the insident I felt how brake pedal started to go soft. Just before the off I told to my co-driver that we need to finish the stage with caution. Then suddenly the break pedal hit the floor and there wasn't nothing I could do about it. I was able to turn backside of my car so that it hit first to fence. However the fence didn't last and we dropped into deep ditch, told Gardemeister.

For who Friday Gardemeister focused on test work because this was just third event ever for the Opel Corsta S2000.

- Our team was satisfied for the information we provided for them. There are still lots of issues to work with - aswell as with the Hankook tyres. But this is why we were here doing our work. The project is very interesting and we really hope it will continue with us, Gardemeister continued.

Final results Rally Principe de Asturias
1) Jan Kopecky, Skoda Fabia S2000
2) Kris Meeke, Peugeot 207 S2000
3) Nicholas Vouilloz, Peugeot 207 S2000

10.9.2009 - Toni Gardemeister satisfierd after Shakedownin

In forthcoming weekend Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister participates in Spanish IRC Rally de Asturias event with new Opel Corsa Super2000. British MSD team car has been in competitive use only in few rallies before and therefore the main goal for Gardemeister is to gain maximum amount of test kilometres.

In shakedown, which driven in Thursday morning, Gardemeister was approximately one second slower per kilometre than top drivers. However still he's satisfied for his car.

- We knew we couldn't challenge Peugeot or Skoda so therefore the difference is quite understandable. Opel Corsa S2000 is good to drive but there are still some power missing from the engine. The car is still under developement work and therefore we have to deal it with, told Gardemeister after shakedown stage.

The rally begins at Friday morning and ends on Sunday afternoon. There are 15 special stages and approximately 253 special stage kilometres driven on the event.

2.9.2009 - Gardemeister on world rally stage with Hankook Corsa

Flying Finn Toni Gardemeister is set to drive the Hankook Opel Corsa later this month as Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) testing moves to Spain for the Rally Principe de Asturias.

Toni and regular co-driver Tomi Tuominen are confident that development work on the car in the UK and on rallies in Belgium and the Czech Republic will provide them with a competitive package but said further development work was the priority in Spain.

“I’m really looking forward to working with MSD and Hankook on the development of the car and the tyre package,’’ said Toni. “These cars are going to be the standard in top class rallying in years to come so it’s good to be given the opportunity to be part of the development work on the Corsa.’’

Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson said he was thrilled to secure such a highly regarded rally driver for the Spanish rally. “Andreas Mikkelsen did a fantastic job for us on the recent Barum Rally in the Czech Republic but he has commitments in Norway this month so we are delighted to be joined by Toni and Tomi in Spain. Their experience will be invaluable as we develop the car ahead of a full assault on the IRC next year.’’

While the Asturias Rally is new for Toni he has a wealth of experience rallying and testing on Spanish roads and said that he is looking forward to the challenge which gets underway in Oviedo on September 10. “This is new and exciting for MSD, Hankook and ourselves and it is good to be part of developing a brand new package for the IRC.’’

Hankook is working with world renowned preparation company MSD to develop and run the Opel Corsa OPC Super 2000 on a variety of high profile rallies this year with events in San Remo and Scotland set to follow Spain.

MSD managing director David Whitehead said that testing on events is proving a valuable way to evaluate the car ahead of 2010. “Testing behind closed doors is vital to fine tune many components but the real test is in competition conditions and Spain will once again provide us with a valuable opportunity to develop the Corsa.’’

The Rally Principe de Asturias take place from September 10-12.