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| Pre-Event Release 1 2 Schedule Entry List Special Stages Leg1 Leg2 Lge3 |
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TEAM SUZUKI IGNIS TRIO READY FOR ACTION
The Junior World Rally Championship is run for 1600cc cars and is the officially-recognised feeder category for the full World Rally Championship teams. Star graduates already include Sebastien Loeb and Francois Duval, who have both graduated to World Rally Cars this season. Planning to emulate the successes of these stars at the wheel of the Suzuki Ignis will be the driver and co-driver pairings of Juha Kangas/Mika Ovaskainen (Finland), Nikolaus Schelle/Gerhard Weiss (Germany) and Kazuhiko Niwa/Kohei Kusaka (Japan). "I have had very little time to test the car, but the power from the engine really stands out as a strong point," said Kangas, 28. "Of course this is just the beginning, but we are confident there is more development to come in the future particularly on the transmission and suspension, but I am believe we can achieve some success." Schelle, 35, is a former Formula Two champion in the German national championship, and is equally confident of success, saying: "It has always been my dream to be competing in the world championship. Now I have got the opportunity and I am looking forward to using my experience as a development driver to help push Team Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 forward. Having never competed outside his native Japan, 26-year-old Niwa says he must be conservative in his goals: "The objective for this season is to learn about Europe and gain experience of the events. I have already had a chance to test the car and my feeling is that it is very strong, and the engine in particular is extremely good. But development will take time." The Ignis has already enjoyed considerable success, winning the Super 1600 division of the highly-demanding Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 2001, its maiden year in the demanding world of rally competition. Clearly demonstrating the youthful, sporting image of Suzuki, the Ignis is one of the most compact in the championship, comfortably reaching the minimum weight limit of 950kg. Adding to the appeal of the dynamic $100,000 machine is the 206bhp 1600cc engine, which comfortably revs to the impressive limit of 9,000rpm. The prestigious Monte Carlo Rally is the oldest event in the World Rally Championship, and is famous for the treacherous mountain roads that twist high above the glittering coastal principality. The mix of dry asphalt and slippery snow on the stages ensures that only the best-prepared teams can expect to succeed, but Nobuhiro Tajima, President of Suzuki Sport, is confident of success. "Just getting three cars here is like winning the world championship," said. Tajima. "It has been two months of very hard work for everyone involved in the project just to reach Monte Carlo, but in the limited time we have had I believe we have done everything possible to be ready for Monte Carlo. "The objective for Juha and Nikolaus is very clear: they both have good speed and must go and out enjoy the event. For Kazuhiko it is different ï‚ he must concentrate on building his speed and knowledge one step at a time. Finishing and gaining experience must be his only objective." Suzuki faces stern opposition from the 24 other competitors in the Junior World Rally Championship, which has attracted entries from manufacturers including Citroen, Fiat, Ford, MG Opel, Peugeot and Volkswagen. For further information on the Suzuki Ignis Junior World Rally Championship programme contact Suzuki Press Officer Dirk Van Der Sluys on +32 475969799 or visit www.suzuki.co.jp/jwrc/ |
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| SCHEDULE & RESULT ››› ROUND1 ROUND4 ROUND7 ROUND10 ROUND11 ROUND14 NEWS WHAT'S JUNIOR WRC TEAMS INFORMATION MACHINE SPEC CONTACT PHOTO GALLERY |
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