"I have been surprised a few times when I came across the slippery conditions but managed to keep it under control. The car was working very well for me and Jorge did a good job also. I started off steadily as I needed to learn more about driving on asphalt.
“The second and third days were easier for us because the weather was good and the roads were dry. We decided to enjoy the stages, and the rally, and this has turned out to be a good decision."
Suzuki WRT:
[Nicolas Bernardi, car #19]
New SX4 WRC car to make first appearance - finally!
Suzuki’s new SX4 WRC car will finally make its appearance in the WRC this coming weekend, when Nicolas Bernardi drives the car on the Rallye de France.
Suzuki confirmed its plans to step up to the ‘senior’ level back in February 2006, when the car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
Back then the intention was to start competing from August 2007, however when plans to run the WRC schedule over two calendar years were abandoned the Japanese manufacturer had no choice but to postpone things.
Originally Suzuki had been due to do three events this season, as part of their preparation for 2008, but in the end canned its participation in Finland and will now do just France and the season ending, Wales Rally GB.
Bernardi will drive the car in Corsica, while fellow ex-Peugeot man, Sebastian Lindholm has been given the nod for Wales - both have plenty of experience with the car from testing. The team has yet to announce who will drive the SX4 WRC in 2008, although a number of names have been linked to the team, including
Toni Gardemeister,
Gigi Galli and
Francois Duval, to mention just three.
Junior RC:
Final round.
Per-Gunnar Andersson and
Urmo Aava will go to the Corsica - the seventh and final round in the 2007
FIA Junior Rally Championship, tied at the top of the FIA J-RC standings.
P-G and Aava are now the only two in contention for this year's Junior crown - and while the former has a slight edge, thanks to his three wins this season to Urmo's one, it is all still very much to play for.
