Looking
to make its first appearance at Repco Rally New Zealand
late in August, the Suzuki World Rally Team has a strong connectionto the
event through its group principal Nobuhiro ‘Monster' Tajima.
Competing
against top stars like Possum Bourne and expatriate Kiwi Rod Millen, ‘Monster'
Tajima's success at New
Zealand's international Race to the Sky hill
climb made him well-known to Kiwi motorsport fans. Tajima won the event eight
times with a number of New Zealand
mechanics in his factory-backed team. Tajima has also competed in four previous
Rally New Zealand events.
While
it hasn't been confirmed whether Tajima will travel to New Zealand for
August's eleventh round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the team's
Australian-based manager Paul Wilding recalls just how popular Tajima is with
local rally fans.
"I
know from a few years ago...we were out watching the action in Rally New Zealand for a few days. His popularity is up there;
it was like hanging round with Petter Solberg or Sébastien Loeb. The number of
people that called out, came over, shook his hand and wanted his autograph. I
was amazed by how many people knew him," says Wilding.
Wilding
says the Suzuki team is looking forward to the New Zealand round of the
championship.
"Both
our drivers love New Zealand.
Toni Gardemeister loves it; P-G Andersson has been there before and has fond
memories. They are looking forward to it and we are looking forward to coming
over with the team as well."
This
will be Gardemeister's eighth WRC appearance in New Zealand, the 33-year-old Finn's
best result being a third overall in 1999 driving for
Seat.
A two-time junior world rally champion for Suzuki, Per-Gunnar Andersson
first drove New Zealand's
roads in 2005. The 28-year old Swede makes his second return to an event he
states is "up there" with Rally Finland.
Heading in to the second half of their debut WRC season, the Suzuki
World Rally Team unveils a number of developments before their journey to New Zealand. Based
on the Suzuki SX4 hatch, the SX4 WRC uses a two-litre engine producing 235kW of
power with a sequentially controlled five-speed gearbox. Mechanical
differentials split drive to the four wheels, softened by Reiger dampers.
Repco Rally New Zealand takes place
from Thursday 28 August until Sunday 31 August. It is the 11th of 15 rounds in
the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship, the sixth of eight rounds in the 2008
FIA Production World Rally Championship and the fifth of six rounds in the 2008
New Zealand Rally Championship.
Regular news updates and the latest information on tickets, spectator
viewing options and route maps can all be found on the event's website www.rallynz.org.nz.
