Zoom Happy 100th to Gardemeister

Toni Gardemeister participated in his first World Rally Championship event in 1996 during his national round in Finland. His first foray, made at the controls of an Opel Astra, ended in retirement. Since then the 32-year-old Finn has covered many stages, with next week's Rally Mexico set to be his 100th rally event.

Since 1996, Gardemeister has driven several different cars. After starting out with the Opel, he then opted for a Nissan Sunny before being recruited by Seat to contest the 2L World Championship aboard an Ibiza GTI 16V.

The Spanish constructor decided to enter the WRC in 1999 with Gardemeister driving a Cordoba. He would shine most notably in New Zealand when he stepped onto the third step of a 100% Finnish podium alongside quadruple World Champions Tommi Mäkkinen and Juha Kankkunen.

The Seat contract would continue with relative success until the end of 2000, when the Finn found himself without an employer. He would nevertheless secure a few drives, finishing fifth at Monte Carlo and fourth in Sweden with a Peugeot 206.

In 2002, Gardemeister joined Skoda at the controls of an Octavia WRC. With the launch of the Fabia WRC, his relationship with the Czechoslovakian constructor continued until 2004. The following year, Malcom Wilson offered him a works Ford Focus WRC; the Finn reached the podium on several occasions but without ever marking an elusive first victory.

A 2006 association with the Italian Astra team allowed him to race in a few World Rally Championship rounds with a Peugeot 307 and a Citroën Xsara. In 2007, Mitsubishi presented a timid return to the world scene and provided Gardemeister with a Lancer WRC.

This year, Japanese constructor Suzuki offered itself the services of the experienced Finn in order to develop and race the SX4 WRC over the stages of the entire World Rally Championship season. Toni Gardemeister will therefore be driving the Suzuki when he takes on his 100th rally in Mexico.

"To rack up one hundred world rallies is a nice achievement," he proudly said. "I've been in the championship for quite some time now, but it's a bit misleading as there are quite a lot of people who have done more rallies than me."

"I'm looking forward to Mexico," he continued, although his previous performance there in 2005 was not a pleasant personal experience: "I was so ill the last time I did this rally that I struggled to finish sixth. Maybe that's why I don't remember so much about it!"

"I'm aiming to enjoy my 100th event and score some more points for Suzuki. I think that's definitely possible," Gardemeister concluded.

Daniel BASTIEN © CAPSIS International
Quotes source: Suzuki