Suzuki names drivers

Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunnar Andersson have been confirmed as the new drivers for the Suzuki SX4 WRC in 2008.

Gardemeister has competed in nearly 100 WRC events and has been a former works drivers with Ford and Skoda while Andersson has won the Juniors title twice in 2004 and this year with Suzuki.

The Nordic duo will make their first appearance on board the SX4 WRC at the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo (January 25-27) when Suzuki enters its first full FIA World Rally Championship season. Gardemeister will compete with co-driver Tomi Tuominen while Andersson will be partnered by regular co-driver Jonas Andersson.

"Toni is one of the world's best rally drivers with a wide experience on gravel, asphalt, snow and ice, but also with superb testing skills. And with PG, the first and only person to win the Junior Rally Championship title two times ­on a Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 in 2004, this year with the Suzuki Swift Super 1600­, we are continuing a close and very successful partnership," said Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, president of Suzuki Sport and principle of the Suzuki World Rally Team. "Together with their co-drivers Tomi and Jonas they form a very strong unit, enabling us to push the car's development and take the SX4 WRC to its next level."

"It is very nice to work with a newcomer", said Gardemeister. "Suzuki has a great team and I am happy that I can be part of this exciting project. I am sure that we have to work very hard together, but that we will have a great future."

"I am really looking forward to joining the Suzuki World Rally Team. It will be my first year in the WRC, so there are many things to learn", said Andersson. "I have been in the Suzuki family for four years now and know the team's exceptional capability."