Suzuki's Per-Gunnar Andersson set a new benchmark on the Rallye de France-Tour de Corse this weekend, when he came through to secure the
FIA Junior Rally Championship title for a record second time.
P-G, who also took the Junior crown back in 2004 with
Suzuki, went into the event in Corsica joint top in the JRC standings with his team-mate,
Urmo Aava following his win last weekend in Spain.
While P-G lost out on day 1 though and Aava took the initiative, the Estonian made a mistake on the second stage on Saturday and when he crashed out, P-G was guaranteed the title - having taking three wins this season to Urmo's 1.
In the end though the Swede didn't need to rely on his win count and after having taken fourth, ended the season 5 points in front, 43 points on the board, compared to the 38 notched up by Aava.
P-G's only real problem was also in SS8, when he picked up a puncture and had to stop to change the tyre, something that lost him around 2 minutes.
"It's an amazing feeling to win this prestigious championship for the second time. There was obviously a lot of pressure on me coming into this event, but I just did my best to try and deal with it as I could,” Andersson reflected.
“I was not particularly worried when Urmo was in front of me at the start of the rally, as I knew that I had some pace in reserve. But I was really surprised when I saw his car off the side of the road on SS8 and I had to force myself to concentrate.
“The rest of the rally was all about trying to get the car to the finish in one piece and drive safely. Thankfully we managed it, and the result is another great championship title. I'd like to thank my co-driver Jonas Andersson and the entire Suzuki team, which has done a great job all year. Now I need to think carefully about what I do next, but I very much hope to extend my relationship with the Suzuki family into the future."
Suzuki boss, Nobuhiro Tajima meanwhile was quick to pay tribute to Andersson, while also consoling Aava, who takes the runners-up spot in the JRC.
![Per-Gunnar Andersson (SWE) / Jonas Andersson (SWE), Suzuki Swift S1600 [Junior RC]. Rally de Portugal, 29th March - 1st April 2007.](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/306163.jpg)
