Pre-Yalta Rally test aids Gardemeister

Toni Gardemeister says his hopes of a strong result on the Prime Yalta Rally have been boosted by a successful test in Ukraine on Sunday.

Finn Gardemeister is campaigning a Škoda Fabia in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season and has scored points on the two events he has tackled in the Czech machine so far.

“We tested a lot of things with the car and it was also raining at times, so we know how slippery the roads here can be if it rains on the rally,” said the 36-year-old. “We worked mainly on the suspension during the test and in shakedown we had a new rear differential and dampers. It could be okay.”

Hankook Motorsport boss Mike Patterson added: “He did a full day and it was the first time he’s done a proper pre-event test. It’s going to be a rally of attrition but we’ve got a good idea about car and tyre set-up for here.”