Suzuki World Rally Team driver Toni Gardemeister is spending his summer vacation for few more weeks. During his holiday he participated into his home rally which was also the fifth round for Finnish Rally Championship event. After pneultimate seven stage Gardemeister was forced to retire the rally due broken engine sump. After seven stages of intense rallying Gardemeister were in 2 minutes and 58 seconds lead of group-F.

Gardemeister and his girlfriend co-driver Miia Katajala enjoyed rallying with group-F RWD BMW M3 rally car. Flying Finns made fastest special stage time for all driven seven special stages. Only driver who could match the speed of Gardemeister was Mikko Kauppinen. However he was also forced to retire the rally due engine failure after sixth stage. Therefore Jari Inkilä was able to win the rally due misfortune of Gardemeister and Kauppinen.

At prize giving gala the speed of Gardemeister was one of the biggest topics. Especially the time he made for fourth stage gave lots of think about for many drivers; With his RWD rally car Gardemeister was seventh fastest among WRC and Group-N 4WD turbocharged rally cars. Same pattern was repeated on seventh stage.

– We had an excellent rally day until the transit section of pneultimate and final stage when suddenly oil preassure lamp started to shine. I steered a side and noticed that there was a crack on engine sump. As oil was leaking away from the engine and we still had one special stage and long transit section ahead of us I decided to retire the event to spare the engine from complete dissaster, told Gardemeister.

– It was very wonderful to see that my speed hasn't gone anywhere. I was glad to made very good special stage times as I was also able to challenge turbocharged 4WD rally cars. Naturally I'm sad for the retirement but this time it's ok because in this season I've been forced to get used to it in World Rally Championship series, Gardemeister continued.

Towards WRC Finland with new plans

All World Rally Championship serie rally drivers are finishing their summer vacations as there are few weeks for the start of the second half of the season. There are lots of WRC teams could be seen on Finland doing their pre-rally tests. Suzuki rallies their WRC Finland pre-rally tests on rally week. Suzuki introduces new rally parts for the car to improve its' speed and reliability for SX4 WRC. Gardemeister welcomes new parts.

– There are four gravel and three tarmac events to be rallied on second half of the season. It's very good that the team makes developement work for the car and we're able to test it before WRC Finland. Let's home we'll soon be able to collect more Championship points and to give more boost for the team, Gardemeister planned.

Final results SM O.K. Auto rally, group-F:
1. Jari Inkilä & Jyrki Nieminen, BMW M3, 51.36;8
2. Jukka Korhonen & Matti Pitkänen, Toyota Corolla GT, +0,5sek
3. Jarkko Ojala & Eero Sokero, Toyota Starlet, +58,2 sek
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retirement. Toni Gardemeister & Miia Katajala, BMW M3, broken engine sump

Lyhyt esittely

Olen toisen sukupolven ralliautoilija. Vuonna 1975 synnyin moottoriurheiluperheeseen ja kasvoin pihapiirissä, joka oli ympäröity kilpa-ajoneuvoilla. Isäni autourheiluharrastus alkoi vuonna 1970 ja sen myötä vauhti on tullut ikään kuin perintönä.

Ammattilaisuran jälkeen Toni toimii mm. ajokouluttajana ja mentoroi uusia rallilupauksia sekä toimii Jari-Matti Latvalan etuautokuljettajana.

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