Toni Gardemeister fought with technical problems in WRC Germany - Co-driver Jakke Honkanen retired from rallying
Hallinta Hoop, 19.8.2007
10th event for FIA World Rally Championship was rallied in third weekend of August on fast-paced German tarmac in surroundings of Trier, Western Germany. Three days of hard rallying included 19 special stages and 364,18 special stage kilometres. Winner of the rally was double World Champion Sebastien Loeb with Citroen C4 WRC in a superior way. Second was Citroen Xsara WRC driver Francois Duval and third Flying Finn Ford Focus RS WRC driver Mikko Hirvonen.
As reviewing the rally with blue-white glasses, the rally wasn't going according script as Grönholm lost his second position in fast-paced spin and off. Also Toni Gardemeister struggled with technical problems. When finish flag was waved, Mikko Hirvonen was fastest Finn with his third position. Grönholm was fourth and Toni Gardemeister with his co-driver Jakke Honkanen, who did everything they could with problematic car to maintain their fifth position. However due pneultimate stage puncture Gardemeister was forced to drop into seventh position in overall classifications.
Gardemeister started WRC Germany with high hopes. His Citroen Xsara WRC had gain improvements to its' engine and suspension. However three days of hard rallying wasn't according plan as Gardemeister struggled with trobles at gear shifting system, power steering, dampers and puncture. His best special stage result was third position in seventh and in 13 stage. Gardemeister was not satisfied at all for his performance.
- This rally truly wasn't ours. I did not have any fun nor enjoy rallying with a rally car which suffered technical problems. At Friday the gear shifting system was jammed, in Saturday power steering went offline and puncture in Sunday slowed my pace. We had only two trouble-free stages and those were very ok us as we were third fastest on those stages (7 and 13), told Gardemeister.
- At final leg we were hanging for fifth position and five valuable Championship points. However in tight serpo -sections our tyre went off rim and I had to slow down my pace. Its' quite amazing how tyre can drop off from rim because we didn't hit anything. After slowing down our pace we crawled into Finish and lost two position. Therefore the battle for podium position did not happen for us due technical problems, Gardemeister analyzed.
Co-driver Jakke Honkanen retired from rallying
At the end of final special stage there were lots of emotional in the air. One of the Finnish Rallying legend, Jakke Honkanen, told to media that he'll retire from rally at that point. Therefore his in 1974 started career was about to be finished in finish of WRC Germany.
- The decision has been cooking for a while. My children are in that age I should put them before my job as a WRC co-driver. In my 30 years of motorsport career I have had priviledge to navigate many successful rally drivers. I've seen 31 countries with 11 WRC drivers and five different pace note languages. The time has come to step down and give my position for younger co-drivers, told Jakke Honkanen who has co-driven f.ex Mikael Sundström, Jouko Puhakka, Jani Paasonen, Jussi Välimäki, Kosti Katajamäki, Kristian Sohlberg and Toni Gardemeister.
- There isn't a day I give away because every single rally day has given me a lot. I have seen and have had possibility to rally with several different top rally cars. The highlight of my rally co-driver career was in season 2005 at Monte Carlo, Greece and Korsika. In those rallies I finished second position with Toni Gardemeister. I would like to thank all those drivers who I have had chance to make my journey, Honkanen continued.
As Honkanen is now retired from job as a co-driver, Gardemeister has to seek a new navigator to his side.
- The boots of mr. Honkanen is hard to fullfill. Since 2005 I have had chance to enjoy the company of gentleman Honkanen and his skills. There will be moments when I wish him to be still beside of my in the rally car, thank Gardemeister Jakkes work.
Incar of victorious Vetomies rally now online
At the first Saturday of August Gardemeister won Vetomies rally, which was a rally for group-F cars inside WRC Finland. Now you have chance to get into the ride of Toni. Goto his website and his gallery and you'll find incar from legendary stage of Ouninpohja (first 1/3) and complete stage of Ehikki. Unfortunately the quality of the videos is not best possible, but it'll give you a clue why Toni Gardemeister is called Vetomies for next year.