The Suzuki World Rally team, which will be presenting two SX4 WRC cars at each of the 15 rounds of the 2008 World Rally Championship season, has been augmenting its ranks.

The Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima-led outfit has named two additional key personnel as the launch date of the 2008 season approaches.

47-year-old former journalist Akira Kawada will become Team Manager, bringing to the team his experience within other series such as the Asia-Pacific Championship and the Production Car World Rally Championship.

Shusuke Inagaki, 61 years of age and formerly working at Mitsubishi, has been named Technical Director in replacement of Michel Nandan, who had decided to leave the group after participating in the SX4's design and helping to establish the Suzuki team's European base.