Eriksson and Gardemeister join Skoda for 2002.

Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team will face the forthcoming rally season with an all new line-up made up of Sweden's Kenneth Eriksson and Finland's Toni Gardemeister.

Both drivers will contest at all 14 events of the 2002 World Rally Championship including two events Skoda Octavia WRC will face for the very first time: New Zealand and Australia. They will partner the team at its most important moment, as Skoda Motorsport storms into its first full world rally programme since the project of Octavia WRC came into being.

Eriksson and Gardemeister join Skoda for 2002.

Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team will face the forthcoming rally season with an all new line-up made up of Sweden's Kenneth Eriksson and Finland's Toni Gardemeister.

Both drivers will contest at all 14 events of the 2002 World Rally Championship including two events Skoda Octavia WRC will face for the very first time: New Zealand and Australia. They will partner the team at its most important moment, as Skoda Motorsport storms into its first full world rally programme since the project of Octavia WRC came into being.

They arrive at a crucial moment after the team had achieved its first ever podium finish in Kenya and is ready to enter another new chapter in its rich history.

Kenneth Eriksson belongs to the top-line of world rally drivers. He demonstrated his enormous talent on many occasions including his best-ever World Championship season in 1995 when he finished third overall and when he equalled the number of victories of the championship winner Colin McRae.

In his very first test of the Skoda Octavia WRC he immediately showed remarkable speed and feeling for the car. Toni Gardemeister, in spite of his young age, has already impressed some of the top world rally teams and was given the opportunity to acquire valuable WRC experience. He placed himself six times within the top six overall and is considered one of the most talented young drivers.

Kenneth Eriksson said: "I am very happy that I have got the chance to join Skoda Motorsport for next season. And I also look forward to competing in a full season with 14 rallies. It really feels a great challenge and I see the potential both in the team and the car. Together we can achieve good results!"

Toni Gardemeister added: "I am delighted to be part of the Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team next year. Having a full 14 event programme makes me feel especially great. I am sure we can achieve some good results with Skoda Octavia WRC during the 2002 season. I am eagerly waiting for the season opener as Monte Carlo has always been a good rally for me results wise."

Skoda Motorsport team principal, Pavel Janeba concluded: "I am happy to announce we have finished all the negotiations and would like to welcome Kenneth and Toni to the team and wish them both a good year with Skoda Motorsport. We decided to build a team with one of the most experienced rally drivers in the field, alongside a young driver who already has some good world rally experience. We believe this is a perfect combination that will bear some good fruit and will contribute to further development of the car."

The new Skoda Motorsport?s driver line-up will contest for the first time at the opening 2002 World Rally Championship event - Monte Carlo Rally (17th to the 20th of January 2002).

Kenneth Eriksson (45) was born on the 13th May 1956 in Applebo (Sweden) and started his career in 1977. He achieved six world rally victories with the highest world rally ranking in 1995 finishing third overall. He is moving to Skoda after having spent the 2001 season with Hyundai.

Toni Gardemeister (26) was born on the 31st March 1975 in Kouvola (Finland) and started rallying in 1993. He acquired WRC experience in the Seat team in 1999, finishing third overall in the New Zealand Rally. He completed a full WRC season with Seat in 2000. This year he contested in four world rallies driving for the Grifone team and Mitsubishi Ralliart.

Read More