Zoom The car which came in from the cold

The Suzuki World Rally Team has been running around in the snow of Sweden as it prepares for the 2008 WRC season. The country will be hosting the second race of the World Rally Championship in early February, and the Japanese team is planning ahead.

Home-grown driver Per-Gunnar Andersson has two days to get acquainted with the Suzuki SX4 WRC's handling in such conditions, while team-mate Toni Gardemeister will be taking over the schedule on the third and final day of the team's planned test sessions in Sweden.

"Driving a World Rally Car is a big difference to the Super 1600 JWRC cars which I have rallied in the past, but already I have a good feeling," shared P-G Andersson.

It will be important for him to quickly gain know-how regarding four-wheel-drive competition, as he has raced at the wheel of such cars only twice before. It is an aspect of his training which the Swedish driver has full intention of mastering.

"My big challenge is stepping up to the top level of the championship," Andersson declared. "But I know I can cope."

Daniel BASTIEN
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