Finn reckons extra testing would improve Suzuki's chances of success.
by Rob Wilkins
Toni Gardemeister has said that while Suzuki can definitely get some good results this season with the SX4 WRC, they would benefit from doing some more testing in the coming months in order to ensure they reach their full potential.
Since Suzuki stepped up to the top level this season, following the two 'test' events in 2007, the pace of the SX4 has been very encouraging. However, all too often mechanical gremlins have sidelined either Toni or his team-mate Per-Gunnar Andersson.
Indeed while both have already managed to break into the top eight and score points, with Gardemeister seventh in Sweden, the last event in Mexico earlier this month was pretty disastrous and both Toni and P-G retired on the opening day with engine problems.
"The team have been investigating and trying to check what is the problem," Gardemeister exclusively told Crash.net Radio ahead of the Rally Argentina, the fourth round in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship.
"I've heard that they have found some problems and everything should be ok in Argentina - hopefully. When they sort out these problems and we can do trouble-free runs, I think we can get one or two good results.
"[So far] there have been good moments - and also worst moments. But when everything works the times are good - surprisingly good actually.
"We haven't had so many tests - and what we actually need at the moment is to get in much more testing."
Pressed on his hopes for this weekend's event, he added that he will definitely be gunning for points and that he is now feeling fine after a recent bout of flu.
"We got some points from Sweden - and also P-G got some from Monte Carlo. The aim for Argentina then is to get some more," he continued.
"Argentina is one of my favourite rallies. It is a very nice rally. I have done it three or four times. The last time was 2005 with Ford.
"The atmosphere is always very good. There are some river crossings and you need to be careful there, but there are no other things really to worry about. I am aiming to get into the top eight and try to push the car to the limit. Hopefully everything will work."
Asked about the competition, Gardemeister noted that to date it's been a good year for the WRC so far and that it is nice to have a different name at the top of the championship - albeit with Mikko Hirvonen now only 1 point ahead of Sebastien Loeb.
"It seems to be closer maybe than in previous years," he concluded. "Ok in previous years it was Marcus [Gronholm] and Sebastien at the front but now there is Mikko, Sebastien and Jari-Matti [Latvala].
"Subaru is also quite close on some events. It is better actually at the moment and more cars are closer to each other than in 2007."
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH TONI GARDEMEISTER: CLICK HERE
