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Preview: Rally Finland.

Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) / Jarmo Lehtinen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
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Preview: Rally Finland.

Tuesday, 29th July 2008

Preview for the Rally Finland - the ninth round in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship.

The Paris-based outfit has been working hard during the break in order to prepare the latest changes to the SX4 WRC, which will be seen for the first time on the ninth round in the WRC.

"As well as adding extra speed to the car, the accent has been placed firmly on adding reliability in order to consolidate the progress that was made throughout the first half of the season," read a statement to the media.

"In addition, the team has been building two brand new SX4 WRCs from scratch - which incorporate some important weight-saving gains in the bodyshell without compromising strength or stiffness.

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"The test on Monday will put all these new components through their paces and act as an extra shakedown for the new cars, whilst giving Suzuki the chance to run on the soft compound Pirelli control tyres that are being used for the first time this year in Finland."

The SX4 WRC 'B' features 'a raft of new parts designed to improve efficiency and performance' and the team is hopeful that the new parts will make the SX4 WRC not only lighter and more reliable, but also increase its level of competitiveness.

"When we test the Suzuki and its new parts on Monday, we will have a better idea of where we are," said number one driver Toni Gardemeister, who unsurprisingly is looking forward to his home event.

"Realistically, many of our rivals still have an advantage over us in terms of engine power - which is quite an important factor in Finland - but also our local knowledge helps.

"We've always had good speed in Finland in the past, but equally we've been a bit unlucky. I'm feeling confident though: if we can set some times inside the top five I think that shows we are making progress."

Suzuki team boss Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima meanwhile is eager to see what his two drivers - Toni Gardemeister and Per-Gunnar Andersson - can achieve on what is one of the best rallies in the WRC.
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Related Images
Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) / Jarmo Lehtinen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) / Jarmo Lehtinen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, August 2-5 2007 [PIC CREDIT: Ford/worldralypics.com]
Sebastien Loeb (FRA) / Daniel Elena (MC), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Marcus Gronholm (FIN), Neste Oil Rally Finland
Neste Oil Rally Finland
Neste Oil Rally Finland
Matti Rantanen picks up the ‘Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally’ award after finishing 7th on his home event in a privately entered Focus RSWRC06. Rally Finland 2008. [Pic credit: ADTA]
Marcus Gronholm chats to current FSTi series leaders Burcu Çetinkaya and co-driver Çiçek Güney. Rally Finland 2008. [Pic credit: FSTi / M-Sport]
Henning Solberg with the FSTi class of 2008. Rally Finland 20008. [Pic credit: FSTi / M-Sport]
Henning Solberg. Rally Finland 20008. [Pic credit: FSTi / M-Sport]
Barry Clark (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR) - Ford Fiesta. Rally Finland 2007. [PIC CREDIT: Ford / FSTi]
1st: Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. 2nd: Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) / Jarmo Lehtinen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. 3rd: Sebastien Loeb (FRA) / Daniel Elena (MC), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th Au
Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Patrik Sandell (SWE) / Emil Axelsson (SWE), Renault Clio [Junior RC]. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Patrik Sandell (SWE) / Emil Axelsson (SWE), Renault Clio [Junior RC]. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Sebastien Loeb (FRA) / Daniel Elena (MC), Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Mikko Hirvonen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN), BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Chris Atkinson (AUS) / Stephane Prevot (BEL), Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
Urmo Aava (EE) / Kuldar Sikk (EE), MMSP Ltd Mitsubishi Lancer WR05. Rally Finland, 2nd-5th August 2007.
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