Gardemeister Will Drive Skoda in 2011 IRC

Toni Gardemeister has finalized the remaining details of his return to the international rallying scene this year. After last month confirming that he has set up his own team in the International Rally Challenge (IRC), namely the TGS Worldwide, the former WRC driver now revealed his choice of car and rubber for the 2011 campaign.

So here it is: the former Suzuki WRC driver will compete on a full-time basis in the 2011 IRC on a Skoda Fabia racer, while picking Hankook as his team's tire supplier.

“The Skoda is a proven car in the IRC and the Hankook tyres have performed brilliantly on these events in the last couple of years so I'm delighted with the package we have put together,” said Gardemeister, who secured the funding for 8 further events in the 2011 IRC.

“Having driven for Skoda in the past I know the car will be good and I look forward to testing the package before we really get started in Canarias.”

Although securing a full campaign in the IRC, Gardemeister will not get to contest in all rounds of the 2011 season, with Madeira, Acores and the Cyprus finale missing from this year's programme. However, considering that this is his first important campaign in international rallying since his withdrawal from the WRC back in 2008 – caused by Suzuki's quitting the series – we'd argue that's a good start.

Gardemeister's last participation in the IRC took place last year, in the Monte Carlo opener, where he contested for Astra Racing on a Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000.