Toni Gardemeister second in Bettega Memorial
Hallinta Hoop, 16.12.2007
Toni Gardemeister, age of 32, is a Flying Finn rally driver. His season 2007 finale was in Italy at Bettega Memorial event and it ended with successful feelings. After tight and intense battle, Gardemeister with his Peugeot 307 WRC was second - only few tenths of seconds slower than estonian Markko Märtin.
Bettega Memorial was held in Sunday. In Saturday Gardemeister also participated into Coppa Dante Salway event. The rallies were short rallysprint events, which were run against opposite driver in specified build track.
In Saturday at Coppa Dante Salway Gardemeister faced disqualification against Simone Campedelli and therefore finished the event in 4th position. In Sunday at the main event Toni made his way into finals and after five colourful starts he was left into second position against estonian Markko Märtin and his Subaru Impreza WRC.
Gardemeister was originally planned to rally the event with Citroen XSara WRC, but in WRC Wales GB another driver caused so much damage in off for the car that there weren't enough time to repair it. For the Bettega Memorial Gardemeister was given Peugeot 307 WRC, which was not in full spec mode as f.ex suspension and differential parts were customer spec. Simone Campedelli rallied with full spec Peugeot 307 WRC.
– This was a fantastic way to finish season. Success is always good and warms my heart even this time I wasn't able to reach victory. However the battle between me and Markko Märtin was absolutely brilliant as after four final starts we both we're won two starts with just narrow gap. Märtin took final start again with only few tenths of second gap. I slided one corner a bit wide and lost valuable tenths of seconds in that mistake. It was enough for Märtin to score victory, told Gardemeister his rally.
– In a tight schedule my team build be Peugeot 307 WRC with customer spec modes. However in top level of rallying the car has to be in full-spec condition to score success. Now my fellow drivers had a bit advantage against me. However I won't complain anymore because second position is a fantastic result and gives a lot boost for the forthcoming season.
Plans for Toni Gardemeisterin and his co-driver Tomi Tuominen are to be released in forthcoming days.
Final results XXIII Memorial Bettega:
1. Markko Märtin, Subaru Impreza WRC
2. Toni Gardemeister, Peugeot 307 WRC
3. Francois Duval, Subaru Impreza WRC
4. Simone Campedelli, Peugeot 307 WRC