Gardemeister confirms eight-event IRC bid

Toni Gardemeister will return to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés next month for the start of an eight-event campaign in a Škoda Fabia Super 2000.

Finn Gardemeister, who has formed a partnership with tyre firm Hankook, has been a regular on the IRC-counting Rallye Monte-Carlo in recent years but confirmation of his season-long campaign marks his first major foray in the series.

“The Škoda is a proven car in the IRC and the Hankook tyres have performed brilliantly on these events in the last couple of years so I’m delighted with the package we have put together,” said the 35-year-0ld, who will drive for his own TGS Worldwide operation alongside navigator Tapio Suominen. “Having driven for Škoda in the past I know the car will be good and I look forward to testing the package before we really get started in Canarias.”

Gardemeister has been competing on international events since 1996 and was a factory driver in the world championship for several manufacturers including Škoda and the M-Sport-run Ford operation. Highly rated, Gardemeister has extensive experience of asphalt and gravel rallies.

His planned eight-event programme is as follows:

Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés (14-16 April)
Tour de Corse (13-15 May)
Prime Yalta Rally (2-4 June)
Geko Ypres Rally (23-25 June)
Barum Czech Rally Zlín (26-28 August)
Mecsek Rallye (9-11 September)
Rallye Sanremo (22-24 September)
RACMSA Rally of Scotland (14-16 October)