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2003 Junior World Rally Championship
Round 1 - Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo 2003 (23-26 January)
Monday, 20 January 2003
Test Report
Suzuki drivers ready for season-opener
The four new Suzuki drivers for the Junior World Championship have
enjoyed a fault-free 500 kilometres of testing prior to the Monte
Carlo Rally this weekend.
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The four drivers - Daniel Carlsson, Salvador Canellas, Urmo Aava, and
Ville-Pertti Teuronen - had their first proper taste of the Ignis on
roads around Roquebrune, in the south of France. These are similar to
the roads that will be used on the rally this weekend.
All the drivers were enthusiastic about the Ignis, which has been
extensively modified for the 2003 season. Four brand new cars have
been built for Monte Carlo, with a number of interesting mechanical
improvements.
The roll cage has been redesigned, for increased protection and
stiffness, and the engine is more powerful and driveable. The
2003-specification Ignis also features a flat-shift gearbox, which
allows the driver to go up through the gears without using the
clutch.
The drivers all drove the car over two days, in a test that was
primarily designed to give them the maximum running time possible and
allow them to fine-tune the best possible set-up for the slippery and
twisty roads around Monte Carlo.
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Monster Sport Europe Team manager Risto Laine explained: "The car is
definitely improved over last year, but the drivers need to build up
as much experience as possible with it. Everyone has been extremely
positive, and in actual fact the drivers have all arrived at a set-up
which is quite similar. I think we have a really good car now, and
scoring points is a distinct possibility. But Monte Carlo is such a
lottery that you can never assume anything!"
The Suzuki drivers will next be in action on the official shakedown,
during the afternoon of Thursday January 23rd. This is a chance for
the drivers to experience the roads on the day before the event, and
to make any last minute adjustments. This year, all four Suzukis will
be at every Junior World Championship rally shakedown.
After the shakedown, all the Ignis Super 1600 drivers will attend a
press launch of 2003 Suzuki Junior World Rally Championhip teams.
The launch is scheduled for 1730 in Monaco's famous Casino. From
there, the drivers head for the ceremonial start - followed by three
days of flat-out action!
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