Ford’s Toni Gardemeister, who recently edged to within three points of Subaru’s Petter Solberg in the WRC title standings, hopes to eclipse the Norwegian in Argentina this weekend.
Ford’s Toni Gardemeister, who recently edged to within three points of Subaru’s Petter Solberg in the WRC title standings, hopes to eclipse the Norwegian in Argentina this weekend.
Former works Skoda driver Gardemeister was a surprise choice to lead the Ford team after the departure of Markko Martin and Francois Duval at the end of last year, but has repaid the faith of team boss Malcolm Wilson by posting solid results that enabled the Blue Oval to lead both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings early in the season. The Finn, who finished second in Greece two weeks ago, hopes to continue his run of form in Argentina.
“My performance in Greece was very good,” Gardemeister said. “It came close to being the best of my career and I felt happy with the Focus all the way through. If I can repeat that in Argentina then I’m sure I can take another good result. It’s a changeable rally and there’s a bit of everything there for a driver. It’s difficult and quite technical. The weather can also change quickly and we can expect fog on the higher stages.
“The most difficult aspect for me is the water splashes. If the approach is wide and fast and the water isn’t deep, then it’s possible to enter them quickly. But the deeper crossings are trickier because the car tends to dive into the water. The dangers are taking water into the engine or hitting the water so fast that the force damages both the car and the engine,” he added.
Gardemeister’s team-mate, Czech Roman Kresta, will be competing on the South American event for the first time. His co-driver, Jan Mozny, will be wearing rib protection after an injury he sustained during a heavy crash in the Propecia Rally New Zealand flared up after yet another accident in the Acropolis Rally.
