Gardemeister overcomes illness to start

Toni Gardemeister has had to overcome a bout of influenza in order to start Rallye Sanremo for a fifth time.

Driving a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 for his own TGS Worldwide operation, the Finn has scored points on every Intercontinental Rally Challenge event that he has contested this season.

“I had quite big ‘flu during the recce but now I am okay,” said Gardemeister, who has received advice from fellow Finn Simo Lampinen, a former Rallye Sanremo winner, in the build-up to the event. “It’s a very difficult rally and for sure there will be many difficult moments but hopefully not for me.”

Gardemeister has tackled Rallye Sanremo on four previous occasions but has never reached the finish. His last appearance on the Italian event was in 2003.

“We hope that will change,” said Gardemeister. “I’m not 100 per cent sure with the set-up but we have put everything new on the car so we should be okay.”