by Rob Wilkins


Per-Gunnar Andersson has admitted that Suzuki's decision to sign him for 2008 is quite simply a 'dream come-true'.

P-G has competed with Suzuki in the Junior Rally Championship since 2004, winning the JRC drivers' title twice, once with the Ignis S1600 in '04 and this year with the Swift S1600. Now he will get a chance at the top level with the all-new SX4 WRC and the Swede is clearly delighted to have landed a works WRC drive – something that has become increasingly hard to do in recent years.

"It is a great opportunity and it is a big dream that has come true for me," he confirmed to Crash.net Radio. "We have been planning this for many years now, but the way the world championship has gone, it has been more and more negative [and harder and harder to switch to a WRC car].

"But the last few months have been good and I am really happy to step forward with Suzuki in the WRC team.

"It is not going to be easy but I think I will manage to get some good results by the end of the year. Of course we have a lot of work to do to develop the car - however, it will be really good to be with the team from the start and to see the progress."

Pressed on his targets, he added that he would like to try and get some top-eight finishes by the time the 15-round 2008 season concludes with the Wales Rally GB at the end of November.

"The main goal is to score some points through the year and get some results with the car," he continued. "For me as a driver I want to see how I cope with it too.

"I think it can go really well in Monte Carlo [in January, which will begin the season as normal], although it depends on the weather. If it is snowy and icy we have a good chance of setting some good times.

"Sweden [round 2] will be tough, but it is a rally that both Toni [Gardemeister – my team-mate] and I enjoy a lot. We like to drive on snow and ice and it could be a really successful rally. Also it will be a big challenge for me with all the home fans and everything. I am really looking forward to Sweden," he summed-up.


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH P-G ANDERSSON: CLICK HERE