Suzuki show some improvement with upgraded SX4 WRC at the end of Rally Finland 2008

Suzuki WRT news at the finish of Rally Finland

Toni Gardemeister and Tomi Tuominen drove an inch-perfect final day to bring
their Suzuki SX4 WRC home in eighth place. Gardemeister's drive is rewarded
with a drivers' championship point for him and two for the Suzuki World
Rally Team. The Finn's team-mate P-G Andersson did not re-start this morning
following an incident yesterday afternoon, when the car went off the road
and into a tree.

suzukijump.jpg picture by C4B

Car news - Suzuki SX4 WRC n.11 (Gardemeister), n.12 (Andersson):

Gardemeister's Suzuki SX4 WRC ran without any faults through the final day.
The Finn had dialled himself into the super-quick final-leg stages and was
delighted with the handling and suspension of the car.

Driver news:

Toni Gardemeister: "It's been a really good day today - a day I've really
enjoyed. The stages are nice, the sun was shining and, of course, there were
plenty of Finnish flags flying! It looked as though we could be having a big
fight with Matthew (Wilson) today, but we managed to keep him behind. Once I
realised that we had the speed to stay ahead of him, it was okay. I could
relax and enjoy the roads. To end the event in Ruuhimaki, with those jumps
at the end of the stage, is fantastic. That's why people love Rally Finland.
I came here feeling we could make points and we have done that. It's been a
good week."

suzukifinland08.jpg picture by C4B

Team news:

Paul Wilding, Suzuki World Rally Team manager: "Toni has driven very well
today. He's made no mistakes and the car hasn't missed beat. We're very
pleased with the performance and reliability we've found from the latest
development of the Suzuki SX4 WRC. Taking points is why we're here, so we're
delighted with that. Of course, it's a shame that P-G went off the road
yesterday, but these things happen in this sport - particularly on such a
high-speed event as Finland. Now, though, our focus switches to Rallye
Deutschland and the new challenge of a pure asphalt rally. One thing is
sure, though, we go there on a high after a points-finish in Finland."