Suzuki World Rally Team
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki World Rally Team, also known as the Suzuki WRC Challenge was Suzuki
's factory backed World Rally Championship
team, as part of the Suzuki Sport organization. The team debuted for the first time at the 2007 Tour de Corse
in France. After just one full season in 2008
, in which the team finished fifth in the manufacturers' championship, Suzuki announced that they would be pulling out of the WRC. The decision was attributed to falling car sales caused by the economic crisis, although reports had surfaced that Suzuki were ready to abandon its WRC program before the economic downturn began.
The Suzuki SX4 WRC made a competitive debut in Corsica, at the 2007 Tour de Corse
, driven by Nicolas Bernardi and co-driver Jean-Marc Fortin, and set several stage times just outside of the top ten. The team also participated in 2007 Rally GB
with driver Sebastian Lindholm
and co-driver Tomi Tuominen.
Drivers for the 2008 season
were announced Monday, December 17th, to be Toni Gardemeister
and Per-Gunnar Andersson
. Technical Director Michel Nandan has been replaced by Shusuke Inagaki and Akira Kawada has been appointed as team manager.
Suzuki scored on their proper debut with Andersson finishing eighth in the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally
, with Suzuki getting two points in the manufacturers' title race. In the 2008 Swedish Rally
, Gardemeister finished seventh, earning Suzuki three more manufacturers' points. Both of these early races were marred by engine problems due to faulty head gaskets, with Gardemeister retiring from the Monte Carlo Rally and Andersson retiring from the Swedish Rally, before both cars retired from the Rally of Mexico.
After struggling with reliability issues for several rallies, Suzuki achieved their best result in New Zealand
, with Andersson finishing sixth and Gardemeister seventh. At their home event, the 2008 Rally Japan
, the team did even better and took fifth and sixth places. During a super special stage in the Sapporo Dome
, Gardemeister also gave Suzuki and the SX4 WRC their first stage win. Andersson challenged for a podium in the early stages of Rally GB before going on to finish fifth, while Gardemeister finished seventh ahead of the works Ford of Mikko Hirvonen
.
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
's factory backed World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
team, as part of the Suzuki Sport organization. The team debuted for the first time at the 2007 Tour de Corse
2007 Tour de Corse
Results of Tour de Corse , 13th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on October 12 - 14:- Results :...
in France. After just one full season in 2008
2008 World Rally Championship season
The 2008 World Rally Championship season was the 36th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 15 rallies and began on January 24, with the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally....
, in which the team finished fifth in the manufacturers' championship, Suzuki announced that they would be pulling out of the WRC. The decision was attributed to falling car sales caused by the economic crisis, although reports had surfaced that Suzuki were ready to abandon its WRC program before the economic downturn began.
2007
Testing of the Suzuki SX4 WRC car was conducted in Japan in February 2007, before relocating to Europe in March. Gravel testing was undertaken in Southern France in April.The Suzuki SX4 WRC made a competitive debut in Corsica, at the 2007 Tour de Corse
2007 Tour de Corse
Results of Tour de Corse , 13th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on October 12 - 14:- Results :...
, driven by Nicolas Bernardi and co-driver Jean-Marc Fortin, and set several stage times just outside of the top ten. The team also participated in 2007 Rally GB
2007 Rally GB
Results of Rally GB , 16th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on November 30 - December 2:- Results :...
with driver Sebastian Lindholm
Sebastian Lindholm
Sebastian "Basti" Lindholm is a rally driver from Finland. He is a cousin of Marcus Grönholm. Lindholm has won the Finnish Rally Championship eight times; 1990, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006....
and co-driver Tomi Tuominen.
2008
2008 World Rally Championship season
The 2008 World Rally Championship season was the 36th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 15 rallies and began on January 24, with the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally....
were announced Monday, December 17th, to be Toni Gardemeister
Toni Gardemeister
Toni Gardemeister , is a professional rally driver in the World Rally Championship. After previously competing for SEAT's, Mitsubishi's, Škoda's and Ford's factory teams, as well as for privateer teams, he joined the Suzuki World Rally Team for the 2008 season.-Early:From the outset of his career...
and Per-Gunnar Andersson
Per-Gunnar Andersson (rally driver)
Per-Gunnar Andersson is a Swedish rally driver. He is a two-time winner of the Junior World Rally Championship.-Career:...
. Technical Director Michel Nandan has been replaced by Shusuke Inagaki and Akira Kawada has been appointed as team manager.
Suzuki scored on their proper debut with Andersson finishing eighth in the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally
2008 Monte Carlo Rally
The 2008 Monte Carlo Rally, officially 76ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo, was the 76th Monte Carlo Rally and the first round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season...
, with Suzuki getting two points in the manufacturers' title race. In the 2008 Swedish Rally
2008 Swedish Rally
The 2008 Swedish Rally, officially 57th Uddeholm Swedish Rally, was the second round of 2008 World Rally Championship season. It was the season's first and only event held on snow- and ice-covered gravel roads. The rally took place during February 7–10, beginning with Super Special Stage...
, Gardemeister finished seventh, earning Suzuki three more manufacturers' points. Both of these early races were marred by engine problems due to faulty head gaskets, with Gardemeister retiring from the Monte Carlo Rally and Andersson retiring from the Swedish Rally, before both cars retired from the Rally of Mexico.
After struggling with reliability issues for several rallies, Suzuki achieved their best result in New Zealand
2007 Rally New Zealand
The 2007 Rally New Zealand , 11th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on 31 August - 2 September. After a tight battle for three days, Marcus Grönholm beat Sébastien Loeb for the win by 0.3 seconds. This was the closest finish in the history of the World Rally Championship...
, with Andersson finishing sixth and Gardemeister seventh. At their home event, the 2008 Rally Japan
2008 Rally Japan
The 2008 Rally Japan was the fourteenth and penultimate round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event saw Sébastien Loeb clinch his fifth consecutive world drivers title with his drive to a third place finish. The event was won by Mikko Hirvonen in a Ford Focus, who led the event...
, the team did even better and took fifth and sixth places. During a super special stage in the Sapporo Dome
Sapporo Dome
The is a stadium located in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Japan, and is primarily used for baseball and football. It is the home field of the baseball team Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and the football club Consadole Sapporo.-History:...
, Gardemeister also gave Suzuki and the SX4 WRC their first stage win. Andersson challenged for a podium in the early stages of Rally GB before going on to finish fifth, while Gardemeister finished seventh ahead of the works Ford of Mikko Hirvonen
Mikko Hirvonen
Mikko Hirvonen is a Finnish rally driver currently driving for the Citroën Total World Rally Team in the World Rally Championship. He placed third in the drivers' championship and helped Ford to the manufacturers' title in both 2006 and 2007. In 2008, 2009 and 2011, he finished runner-up to...
.
WRC Results
| Year | Car | No | Driver | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | WDC | Points | TC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 2007 World Rally Championship season The 2007 World Rally Championship season was the 35th season in the FIA World Rally Championship. The season began on January 19 with the 75ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo and ended on December 2 with the 63rd Wales Rally of Great Britain. Citroën's Sébastien Loeb won the drivers' world... |
Suzuki SX4 WRC Suzuki SX4 The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:... |
19 |  Nicolas Bernardi |
MON 2007 Monte Carlo Rally The 75ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo , the first round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season, took place between January 19 and 21, 2007.- Pre-event :... |
SWE 2007 Swedish Rally The 56th Uddeholm Swedish Rally, second round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season took place between 9 and 11 February 2007.-Results:... |
NOR 2007 Rally Norway Rally Norway 2007, the third round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season, was held on February 16 – 18 2007. Race headquarters were located in the town of Hamar.- Results :... |
MEX 2007 Rally México The 21º Corona Rally México, the fourth round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season, took place between March 9–11 2007. The rally consisted of 20 special stages, of which five were super specials... |
POR 2007 Rally Portugal The 2007 Vodafone Rally de Portugal was the 41st Rally de Portugal and the fifth round of the 2007 World Rally Championship season. It took place between March 30–April 1, 2007 and consisted of 18 special stages... |
ARG 2007 Rally Argentina Results of Rally Argentina , 6th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on May 3 - 6:- Results :- Retirements : Kristian Sohlberg - mechanical - accident ; Petter Solberg - mechanical - engine ; Nasser Al-Attiyah - mechanical - lost wheel ; Leszek Kuzaj - mechanical - lost wheel ; Amjad... |
ITA 2007 Rally d'Italia Sardegna Results of Rally d'Italia Sardegna , 7th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on May 18 - 20:- Results :... |
GRE 2007 Acropolis Rally Results of Acropolis Rally , 8th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on May 31 - June 3:- Results :... |
FIN 2007 Rally Finland Results of Rally Finland , 9th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on August 2 - 5:- Results :- Retirements : Kristian Sohlberg - rolled ; Jari-Matti Latvala - went off the road - damaged rollcage ; Manfred Stohl - rolled Gareth Jones - went off the road Juho Hänninen - mehanical... |
GER | NZL 2007 Rally New Zealand The 2007 Rally New Zealand , 11th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on 31 August - 2 September. After a tight battle for three days, Marcus Grönholm beat Sébastien Loeb for the win by 0.3 seconds. This was the closest finish in the history of the World Rally Championship... |
ESP 2007 Rally Catalunya Results of Rally Catalunya , 12th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on October 5 - 7:- Results :... |
FRA 2007 Tour de Corse Results of Tour de Corse , 13th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on October 12 - 14:- Results :... 31 |
JPN 2007 Rally Japan Results of Rally Japan , 14th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on October 26 - 28:- Results :-Retirements: Marcus Grönholm - went off the road ; Chris Atkinson - crashed his car ; Fumio Nutahara - mechanical ; Sébastien Loeb - mechanical ; Armindo Araujo - excluded after post-rally... |
IRE 2007 Rally Ireland The 2007 Rally Ireland , 15th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, was run on November 15 - November 18. It took place over eight counties on both sides of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland... |
- | 0 | - | 0 | |
 Sebastian LindholmSebastian Lindholm Sebastian "Basti" Lindholm is a rally driver from Finland. He is a cousin of Marcus Grönholm. Lindholm has won the Finnish Rally Championship eight times; 1990, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.... |
GBR 2007 Rally GB Results of Rally GB , 16th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on November 30 - December 2:- Results :... 27 |
- | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 2008 World Rally Championship season The 2008 World Rally Championship season was the 36th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 15 rallies and began on January 24, with the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally.... |
Suzuki SX4 WRC | 11 | Toni Gardemeister Toni Gardemeister Toni Gardemeister , is a professional rally driver in the World Rally Championship. After previously competing for SEAT's, Mitsubishi's, Škoda's and Ford's factory teams, as well as for privateer teams, he joined the Suzuki World Rally Team for the 2008 season.-Early:From the outset of his career... |
MON 2008 Monte Carlo Rally The 2008 Monte Carlo Rally, officially 76ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo, was the 76th Monte Carlo Rally and the first round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season... Ret |
SWE 2008 Swedish Rally The 2008 Swedish Rally, officially 57th Uddeholm Swedish Rally, was the second round of 2008 World Rally Championship season. It was the season's first and only event held on snow- and ice-covered gravel roads. The rally took place during February 7–10, beginning with Super Special Stage... 7 |
MEX 2008 Rally México The 2008 Rally México, officially 22º Corona Rally México, was the third round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The rally was held on February 29 — March 2 and began with a ceremonial start on Thursday, February 28... Ret |
ARG 2008 Rally Argentina The 2008 Rally Argentina, officially 28º Rally Argentina, is the fourth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season; it is a second gravel round of the championship and also the second round of the Production World Rally Championship... Ret |
JOR 2008 Jordan Rally The 2008 Jordan Rally was the fifth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season and the third gravel round of the championship and also the second round of the Junior World Rally Championship. The event began with a ceremonial start on Thursday, April 24 in Amman, Jordan, near the Dead Sea.-... Ret |
ITA 2008 Rally d'Italia Sardegna The 2008 Rally d'Italia Sardegna is the sixth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event began on May 16 in Olbia, Italy, and finished on May 18.-Results:- Special stages :- External links :* at official page... Ret |
GRE 2008 Acropolis Rally The 2008 Acropolis Rally of Greece was the seventh round of the 2008 World Rally Championship. It took place between May 29-June 1.-Results:-Special Stages:... 9 |
TUR 2008 Rally of Turkey The 9th Rally of Turkey, the 8th round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season took place between June 12–15, 2008. The event returned after a year sabbatical and was held in the south west of Turkey, with the rally headquarters and service park based in the seaside resort of Kemer. The special... Ret |
FIN 2008 Rally Finland The 58th Rally Finland, the ninth rally of the 2008 World Rally Championship season took place between July 31 and August 3, 2008. The event was the first rally held after a six week mid season break. The rally was based in the city of Jyväskylä in the centre of Finland with the special stages held... 8 |
GER 10 |
NZL 2008 Rally New Zealand The 2008 Rally New Zealand was the eleventh round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event was based on the northern island of the country near the city of Hamilton. The stages were run on gravel roads characterised by their pronounced camber, which gives them a fast flowing nature.... 7 |
ESP 2008 Rally Catalunya The 2008 Rally Spain, officially 44º Rally RACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada, was the 44th Rally Catalunya and the 12th round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The rally took place during October 2-5 2008 and consisted of 18 special stages.... 13 |
FRA 2008 Tour de Corse The 2008 Tour de Corse was the thirteenth round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event was won by Citroën driver Sébastien Loeb for the fourth year in succession. It was his tenth victory of the season and gave him a fourteen point lead in the drivers table with just two rallies... 13 |
JPN 2008 Rally Japan The 2008 Rally Japan was the fourteenth and penultimate round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event saw Sébastien Loeb clinch his fifth consecutive world drivers title with his drive to a third place finish. The event was won by Mikko Hirvonen in a Ford Focus, who led the event... 6 |
GBR 2008 Rally GB The 2008 Rally GB was the fifteenth and final round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season and was held between December 5-7, 2008. The event was again held in Wales, with Cardiff being the host of the ceremonial start and finish, and Swansea providing the service park... 7 |
13th | 10 | 5th | 34 | |
| 12 |  Per-Gunnar Andersson |
MON 2008 Monte Carlo Rally The 2008 Monte Carlo Rally, officially 76ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo, was the 76th Monte Carlo Rally and the first round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season... 8 |
SWE 2008 Swedish Rally The 2008 Swedish Rally, officially 57th Uddeholm Swedish Rally, was the second round of 2008 World Rally Championship season. It was the season's first and only event held on snow- and ice-covered gravel roads. The rally took place during February 7–10, beginning with Super Special Stage... Ret |
MEX 2008 Rally México The 2008 Rally México, officially 22º Corona Rally México, was the third round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The rally was held on February 29 — March 2 and began with a ceremonial start on Thursday, February 28... Ret |
ARG 2008 Rally Argentina The 2008 Rally Argentina, officially 28º Rally Argentina, is the fourth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season; it is a second gravel round of the championship and also the second round of the Production World Rally Championship... 24 |
JOR 2008 Jordan Rally The 2008 Jordan Rally was the fifth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season and the third gravel round of the championship and also the second round of the Junior World Rally Championship. The event began with a ceremonial start on Thursday, April 24 in Amman, Jordan, near the Dead Sea.-... Ret |
ITA 2008 Rally d'Italia Sardegna The 2008 Rally d'Italia Sardegna is the sixth round of 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event began on May 16 in Olbia, Italy, and finished on May 18.-Results:- Special stages :- External links :* at official page... 9 |
GRE 2008 Acropolis Rally The 2008 Acropolis Rally of Greece was the seventh round of the 2008 World Rally Championship. It took place between May 29-June 1.-Results:-Special Stages:... 11 |
TUR 2008 Rally of Turkey The 9th Rally of Turkey, the 8th round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season took place between June 12–15, 2008. The event returned after a year sabbatical and was held in the south west of Turkey, with the rally headquarters and service park based in the seaside resort of Kemer. The special... Ret |
FIN 2008 Rally Finland The 58th Rally Finland, the ninth rally of the 2008 World Rally Championship season took place between July 31 and August 3, 2008. The event was the first rally held after a six week mid season break. The rally was based in the city of Jyväskylä in the centre of Finland with the special stages held... Ret |
GER 15 |
NZL 2008 Rally New Zealand The 2008 Rally New Zealand was the eleventh round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event was based on the northern island of the country near the city of Hamilton. The stages were run on gravel roads characterised by their pronounced camber, which gives them a fast flowing nature.... 6 |
ESP 2008 Rally Catalunya The 2008 Rally Spain, officially 44º Rally RACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada, was the 44th Rally Catalunya and the 12th round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The rally took place during October 2-5 2008 and consisted of 18 special stages.... 32 |
FRA 2008 Tour de Corse The 2008 Tour de Corse was the thirteenth round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event was won by Citroën driver Sébastien Loeb for the fourth year in succession. It was his tenth victory of the season and gave him a fourteen point lead in the drivers table with just two rallies... 17 |
JPN 2008 Rally Japan The 2008 Rally Japan was the fourteenth and penultimate round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season. The event saw Sébastien Loeb clinch his fifth consecutive world drivers title with his drive to a third place finish. The event was won by Mikko Hirvonen in a Ford Focus, who led the event... 5 |
GBR 2008 Rally GB The 2008 Rally GB was the fifteenth and final round of the 2008 World Rally Championship season and was held between December 5-7, 2008. The event was again held in Wales, with Cardiff being the host of the ceremonial start and finish, and Swansea providing the service park... 5 |
12th | 12 |