More rally raid action for IRC ace Gardemeister

Toni Gardemeister is keeping busy during his enforced absence from the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Gardemeister was one of the most consistent performers in last year’s IRC, scoring points on all nine rounds he started.

However, a lack of financial backing has prevented him from returning to the all-action series this year in his TGS Worldwide ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

In order to remain ‘match fit’, Gardemeister took part on a cross-country Baja event in Italy last month. Next week, the 37-year-old Finn will head to the Russian city of Astrakhan for the second round of the Russian Rally Raid Championship, the Gold of Kagan.

“I don’t know what to expect there,” said Gardemeister. “I have been in Russia before but an off‐road experience in Astrakhan will be completely different thing. It should be real off‐road in the desert and we will put all our efforts and try to reach the finish. Hopefully we can find the right way among sand dunes.”

The Gold of Kagan takes place from 19-22 April and covers a competitive distance of 960 kilometres.