Suzuki drivers P-G Andersson and Guy Wilks are once again revving up for their third event of the 2006 Junior World Rally Championship season, Rally d’Italia Sardegna. Wilks, winner of the previous JWRC round in Argentina, and his team-mate Per-Gunnar Andersson, winner of the opening round of this years championship in Sweden, hope to put clear air between themselves and their rivals on the rocky island in the Mediterranean.

Run on a variety of gravel roads ranging from fast sweeping tracks with a soft, sandy surface, to narrow twisty roads which are lined with sharp rocks. The driver must be aware of the risk of getting punctures, and will have to use all their skill and concentration to emerge victorious at the end of the event.  This will be the first time many of the competitors have faced each other this year due to JWRC rules requiring drivers to nominate just six out of the nine events on which to score points.  In the Italian round, 19 of the 22 registered competitors will be present, the highest number on an event so far this year.

P-G, now joint leader of the championship is looking forward to the event where he won in 2004: “It’s great to be leading the championship again,” commented the 25 year-old, “With the settings we have developed in testing and how the car performed in Argentina, I am sure our Swift will be right on the pace.  There are some new stages which will be interesting and if the stages are as rough as usual, we will have to drive in a measured way to protect our tyres.”

Guy, still elated after his win two weeks ago is equally positive: “I’m right back in the championship now after winning in Argentina.  Phil and I are determined to get the best result here we can.  After the testing we’ve done and the performance in Argentina, I know the Swift will be hard to beat.  This is a rally where you cannot take anything for granted though as some of the tracks are so narrow and keeping the balance between speed and protecting the car is paramount.”

Suzuki Motorsport President Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima said “I am very happy that once again Suzuki is at the top of the Championship standings.  However, we know that Sardinia is a tough rally and we will have fight hard to secure our third win of the season.  I am confident my drivers can deliver the goods.”

Rally d’Italia Sardegna gets underway with a Ceremonial start in the pretty town of Porto Cervo on the evening of Thursday May 18.  The crews will then tackle 18 special stages totalling 345km from Friday May 19, before finishing in Porto Cervo at around 14:15 (CET) on Sunday May 21.