Tomi Tuominen is a new co-driver for Toni Gardemeister
Hallinta Hoop, 29.8.2007
In season 2007 Toni Gardemeister, 32, has rallied selected WRC events. Before weekends' WRC New Zealand he is in 9th position in Championship standings. In forthcoming rallies Gardemeister can be seen with his new co-driver, Tomi Tuominen, 35.
Tuominen is very familiar motorsport face for Finnish motorsport competitors, spectators and fans. His motorsport career was begun at 1991 and has continued up till nowadays. In present season Tuominen has been f.ex a speaker for WRC television broadcasts in Finnish National television. Tuominen is exited considering his new job.
- I've always dreamed working in WRC with a driver who possess chances for success. Now that dream comes true with professional rally driver Toni Gardemeister. I will do everything in my power to assist Gardemeister for reaching our goals, Tuominen plan.
- At the end there were only one true candidate for replacing my ex-co-driver Jakke Honkanen. In early spring days I victoriously competed in Italian 1000 Miglia and in June at Finnish Rally Championship event with Tomi Tuominen. I was convinced of the skills Tomi has as a co-driver and saw his experience in WRC. My choice for new co-driver was very obvious. Also Tuominen has gained two Finnish Rally Champion titles as a co-driver. In seasons 2004 and 2006 he won the titles with eight times Finnish Rally Champion Sebastian Lindholm.
First WRC event for the duo is not yet decided due negotiations which are underway.
Tomi Tuominen fact file:
- Date of Birth: 8.11.1971
- Place of residence: Lohja
- Family relations: married, one daughter
- First rally : 1991 100-Rally Karjaa (Toni Lindqvist, Lancia Delta Integrale gr.N)
- First WRC-rally: 1999 WRC Finland (Esa Saarenpää, VW Golf KitCar)
- Best results: Double Finnish Rally Co-driver Champion as for Sebastian Lindholm (2004 & 2006)
"Rally is in my blood"
Tomi is a natural born rally co-driver. His mother (Lea) was a co-driver in 60'ies and she also did some rallies behind the steering wheel. His father (Timo Tuominen) started rallying also as a co-driver in 60'ies and is still continuing as a driver. Lea has been a co-driving for f.ex Eeva Heinonen, Marjatta Aaltonen and Taru Ketonen. Timo has been a co-driver for f.ex Harri Väänänen, Sampsa Junnila, Saku Vierimaa and Juha Miettinen. Nowadays Timo is a co-driver for Jukka Westerback in Finnish historic rallies.
Tomi started co-driving with his friend Toni Lindqvist at 1991 with group-N Lancia Integrale which was owned by Saku Vierimaa. During the seasons Tomi has been co-driving for several rally drivers. His best results are from seasons 2004 and 2006 at the times when he won titles of Finnish Rally Co-Drivers Champion as a co-driver for Sebastian Lindholm.
First event for Tomi with Toni Gardemeister was in summer 2007 at Italy as they won GT-class in 1000 Miglia rally. Second event was Finnish Rally Championship event in the region of Kouvola. Again they were fastest, but this time in group-F with BMW M3. For few occasions Tomi has also tried his skills behind the steering wheel. Tomi has also experience from few circuit races.
- I think it is very vital that co-driver has also experience behind the steering wheel. This way co-driver understands his driver how and when he wants his notes to be read, Tuominen tells.
Tomi is a familiar sight in motorsport scene also without driving suit. He has been a commentator for Formula 1 events for three years. Recently he has done WRC-television shows for Finnish national television.