Toni Gardemeister seeks speed to WRC Finland from SM O.K Auto rally
Hallinta Hoop, 1.7.2008
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.