Suzuki Sport Europe to run Swift S1600s for Jaan Molder and Michal Kosciuszko.
Jaan Molder and Michal Kosciuszko will fly the flag for Suzuki in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship this year.
Suzuki finished one-two in the 'Junior' rankings last season, with Per-Gunnar Andersson taking his second title - to add to the one he took with the Ignis in 2004, while Urmo Aava was runner-up in the sister Swift S1600. Molder and Kosciuszko will both have the machinery then to do well although they will face some stiff competition, not least from the likes of Citroen's Martin Prokop and 2006 Junior champion, Patrik Sandell.
Molder, who finished fifth in the championship in '07, first competed with Suzuki on the Rallye d'Italia in 2006. Since then he has taken in six events with a Swift, including winning the class on the Rally GB in '06.
"Mexico is going to be a big learning curve for me, although luckily I have some knowledge of the Swift now and this should help," said the Estonian. "Suzuki has also contested this event before as part of the Junior Championship in 2005 - and the cars finished first and second!
"I'm hoping that is a good omen, although realistically it will be very tough for us. The priority will be to get off to a solid start by finishing and scoring points."
Kosciuszko, who made his debut in the WRC in 2006 and who has only contested two events with the Swift, is also eager to make sure he scores on the Leon-based event.
"It's a very big pleasure for me to be re-united with the Suzuki Swift again and to be starting a full season with such a competitive car," the Pole continued.
"The way to succeed in the Junior Championship is to score points consistently, so this will be our aim from the start. I don't know what to expect from Mexico and the conditions there, but it should be a very nice gravel rally - which is an excellent way to start the season."
Suzuki boss, Nobuhiro Tajima has told his two young charges that they will need to find a balance this year.
"This season is a landmark year for Suzuki: as well as our first full year with the SX4 WRC we are also represented once more in the Junior World Championship, a series we have won twice," he added.
"P-G Andersson - who took the Junior title for us on both occasions - is now one of our WRC drivers, so it is clear that there is a real ladder of talent within Suzuki that takes drivers from junior level all the way to the top category of the sport. I really hope that Jaan and Michal make the most of this opportunity that they now have, but in order to win the championship it is first necessary to finish all the rallies. There is a lot to catch people out in Mexico, so they both need to be careful and find the right balance between speed and consistency as soon as possible."
Florian Niegel meanwhile will also compete in the JWRC this year in a Swift S1600, however his campaign doesn't begin until the Jordan Rally and his car will be entered by Suzuki Germany.
