Zoom Suzuki counting on its experience to score in Sardinia

Like all the events, Sardinia will be a new adventure for the SX4 World Rally Car, but the Italian rally is actually the one where Suzuki as a manufacturer has accumulated the most experience.

Sardinia has formed part of the Junior World Rally Championship since the gravel event arrived on the WRC calendar in 2004 - and this year is no exception. Consequently Suzuki has already wrapped up four participations in Sardinia, resulting in two class wins and two further podiums.

Nonetheless, Sardinia is renowned as being one of the most complicated events of the World Championship due to its inconsistent surfaces and grip levels, which can easily catch out the unwary. Some stages have a hard surface and others are softer, but they all become extremely treacherous during the second run when sharp rocks are often revealed, which can cause punctures.

Having now accumulated knowledge of three gravel events so far this year, Suzuki is hoping to capitalise upon the experience gained to date. Conditions are likely to be hot and dusty in Sardinia but the rally route has not changed considerably from previous years, taking in a number of stages through the millionaire's playground that is known as the 'Costa Smeralda' (Emerald Coast).

The Rally d'Italia gets underway with a ceremonial start in the glittering resort of Porto Cervo, at 20:00 on Thursday 15 May. The real action then starts on Friday morning at 09:43, with the first of 17 all-gravel special stages to the north-east of the island. In total the rally will cover 342.86 kilometres, with the central service park located as usual in the port of Olbia. The rally finish is scheduled for 14:30 on Sunday.

The Suzuki World Rally Team has made some notable steps forward regarding the differential and suspension geometry of the SX4 WRC, as well as improving the under-body protection. The sump guard has also been reinforced, and the ground clearance readjusted. For Sardinia, the team's priority has been to enhance the general reliability of the SX4 WRC in order to maximise the chances of coming away from the event with the best possible points haul.

Once more, the main objective is for both cars to score points in Italy - which would be an excellent achievement on what is still only the sixth rally of Suzuki's first full season.

© CAPSIS International