Suzuki team boss pleased with SX4 progress

Suzuki World Rally Team manager Paul Wilding says he is happy with the performance shown by the upgraded SX4 World Rally Car on Rally Finland.

The event was the first for some new suspension and hydraulic components for the SX4, homologated under the FIA’s ‘variant option’ scheme, which enables manufacturers to alter the specification of certain parts during the season.

Toni Gardemeister was the team’s only finisher, bringing his car home eighth to take a drivers' championship point for him and two for Suzuki. The Finn's team-mate P-G Andersson had run as high as eighth on Friday and Saturday but retired after crashing off the road on SS16.

After a difficult Saturday, when a hydraulic problem affected his car’s steering and gear selection, Gardemeister had a trouble free run through Sunday’s three stages and said he was delighted with his car felt at the end. “Once I realised that we had the speed to stay ahead of Mathew Wilson it was okay, I could relax and enjoy the roads.” said Gardemeister. “I came here feeling we could make points and we have done that. It's been a good week."

“We're very pleased with the performance and reliability we've found from the latest developments,” said Wilding. “Taking points is why we're here, so we're delighted with that. Of course, it's a shame that P-G went off the road on Saturday, but these things happen in this sport - particularly on such a high-speed event as Finland. Now, though, our focus switches to Rallye Deutschland and the new challenge of a pure asphalt rally. One thing is sure, though, we go there on a high after a points-finish in Finland."