Gardemeister Sets Up Own Team in the IRC

Toni Gardemeister did not joke when he hinted that he will finally make a forceful return into the world of rallying last month. As suggested by the Finnish driver during Rally Monte Carlo in January, he formed his own team in the 2011 International Rally Challenge.

However, the former World Rally Championship works driver is yet to make a further announcement regarding the number of rallies his team will be contesting and, more importantly, the car that he'll use through the 2011 IRC campaign. We do have a name though, as his entry will happen under the TGS Worldwide Ou name tag.

“TGS is a new brand in motorsport, but is based on many years of experience,” Gardemeister told the media earlier this week, according to Autosport.

“All our mechanics and engineers have great experience in rallying and worked with me for a long time on different world events. I'm absolutely confident in their skills and sure that my team is the best way to realize all my future plans.”

For the IRC opener in Monte Carlo, Gardemeister drove an Italian Astra Racing-prepared Peugeot 307 S2000, which he took to 10th place overall. It was actually his first Top 10 finish in the event after 3 consecutive retirements.

Having raced in the WRC as a regular ever since 1999, the Finnish driver lost his drive in the series at the end of 2008, once Suzuki decided to terminate its rallying programme. Ever since, he has been doing one-offs in the IRC, all in Monte Carlo, together with a sole outing in WRC's Rally Finland last year.