Toni enters the Mille Miglia European ChampionshipOfficial driver of Seat, Skoda and Ford in the World Rally Championship, Toni Gardemeister has also appeared in some events at the wheels of cars entered by private teams.
This year, the Finn will participate in several
WRC jousts as he defends the Mitsubishi team's colors. Parallel to that programme, Gardemeister may participate in other races if the opportunities present themselves. He has therefore decided to be at the start of the Mille Miglia, the famous Italian event which will be held next 20 and 21 April.
For the occasion a GT-Class
Nissan 350Z will be at his disposal, courtesy of the Astra team. It will be a new car model for Toni, who will also have a new co-driver since Tomi Tuominen will be replacing Jakke Honkannen on this occasion.
"I had an invitation from the Astra Team to enter a rally in Italy," explained Gardemeister. "I've had splendid co-operation with the Astra Team for many years in WRC. They have successfully built GT race cars and now they have made their first GT-class rally car. Astra Team wanted me to drive their
Nissan 350Z in the European Championship rally, which is held in the Milano area."
Toni Gardemeister could not miss out on this opportunity. "For the present season I've participated in selected WRC events.
Argentina will be held during the first weekend of May, and since I won't be entering that event it is excellent that I get driving jobs from other directions. Therefore my driving touch and routine for rallying remains present for my next WRC event," Gardemeister continued.
Over the past seven years, Gardemeister has conducted his sport with World Rally cars. On only one occasion did he get to handle a rear-wheel drive, a Group F
BMW M3, for a meeting in Finland. He was the quickest of his category.
Gardemeister will once again get his chance with a rear-wheel drive during the Mille Miglia, thanks to the
Nissan 350Z. "Last season I had a successfull first rally with my own Group F
BMW M3 rally car. I also started my rally career with a rear-wheel drive. Therefore we head for Italy with confidence and a good mindset. We'll be aiming for victory - as I've always done in my rally career," concluded Gardemeister.
Daniel BASTIEN © CAPSIS International
