Seven Suzuki drivers have begun the Monte Carlo Rally tonight, crossing the ceremonial start ramp outside the Principality's famous Casino. Monte Carlo, the oldest and most prestigious event on the world rally calendar, marks the first round of the 2005 Junior World Rally Championship - won last year by Suzuki Ignis driver P-G Andersson.

Start of the season in front of the Casino in Monte Carlo

The all-asphalt event normally consists of twisty mountain stages covered in snow and ice. However, a more southerly itinerary means that there will be a smaller chance of extreme weather this year. The Suzuki drivers had a last-minute opportunity to test their cars and refine settings at the shakedown this afternoon near Sospel, on roads similar to those they will encounter throughout the three days of the Monte Carlo Rally.

Reigning Junior Champion P-G Andersson and Englishman Guy Wilks drive two examples of the Ignis for the Monster Sport Europe team. They both undertook a day-long test last Monday in order to prepare for Monte Carlo and test tyres that might be suitable for the unusual conditions. After a final systems check at the shakedown, they both emerged confident of a strong performance over the weekend.

P-G said: "We just did a couple of runs and had no problems at all. I think we are very well prepared, and I got back into a good rhythm with no difficulties. I'm looking forward to the rally: our target is definitely to win. I have to say that the car is feeling very very nice: I am sure we are capable of doing a good job but there are plenty of other quick drivers as well."

Guy commented: "The interesting thing about this afternoon's shakedown was the high ambient temperatures, which meant that we were able to do a few runs with harder tyres to see what those felt like. The Suzuki Ignis is excellent under all circumstances, and I'm confident that we can be on the pace whatever the weather conditions turn out to be like."

Risto Laine, team manager of Monster Sport Europe, stated: "The Monte Carlo Rally will always be the most unpredictable event on the calendar, but we are certainly better prepared now than we were at this time last year. The drivers also have an extra year's experience which should give them more confidence. We're taking nothing for granted, but it's realistic to hope that one of our drivers will win this rally."

Suzuki Sport Europe, based in Hungary, is running two Suzukis for Finn Kosti Katajamaki and Estonian Urmo Aava.

Kosti, who is backed by two-time World Champion Marcus Gronholm, said: "The shakedown was my first opportunity to drive the car since the Catalunya Rally last year, but it felt good straight away. We know the Ignis is a winning car, and I have always gone well in Monte Carlo. I feel quite confident!"

Urmo commented: "This is my third year driving the Suzuki Ignis on the Junior World Championship, so I have a lot of experience of the car and the events now. My job this season is to use it to the best of my ability."

Two newcomers to the Ignis are Czech Pavel Valousek and Italian Alan Scorcioni. Their Suzukis are run by JM Engineering, from the Czech Republic.

Pavel said: "I'm very impressed with the Ignis. I have driven WRC cars in the past, but the Ignis really shows what is best about the modern generation of Super 1600 cars. It's very easy to drive and gives you a lot of confidence. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do on the rally!"

Alan commented: "As we accelerated out of the first corner on the shakedown, I asked my co-driver: 'Is this a car or is it a rocket ship?' It's that impressive - completely different to any other car I have driven before. I really think we can do well on this rally: we are going to have a lot of fun."

The final Ignis, run by Czech team Jipocar, is driven by Czech Martin Prokop - in his first year of the Junior World Rally Championship.

He said: "I've got a lot to learn, but the Ignis is the ideal car to help me. I find it very easy to drive, and although the roads in Monte Carlo are very demanding, I hope we can finish and gain some experience for the future."

The real action on the Monte Carlo Rally gets underway at 07:00 (CET) tomorrow morning. Cars will tackle four stages split into two pairs, with central service at the harbourside in Monaco.