16.03.2012

In Latvia produced car „Mitsubishi Pajero L2” new pilot Toni Gardemeister succesfuly started rally raid „Italian Baja”. Worldwide known driver Toni Gardemeister and his co-driver Agris Petersons had made good debut in rally raid in 44 crew big competition finished o 6th place.

For latvian team „RE Autoclub” this will be important weekend. First time in rally raid participated „flying Finn” Toni Gardemeister  with in Latvia produced cars. In one crew with Tony will be co-driver Agris Petersons, who has experienced rally raid weather in Latvia, Europe and even Dakar with Janis Naglis as driver.

On Friday in „Italian Baja” prologue was held 11 km long distace, 1st place took good known Russian driver Boris Gadasin with „G-Force 12002”. On 2dn place Gadasin team mate Vladimir Vasilyev, but on 3rd place took driver from Netherlands – Peter van Merkstejn with „Toyota Hilux Overdrive”.

Gardemeister took 6th place beeing 35,5 sek after stage winer – Gadasin. The 2nd „RE Autoclub” crew – Aleksandr terentyev/Aleksandr Terentyev jr. With latvian production - „Toyota LC 200” took  28th position, beeing 2min and 21,7 sek. after stage winer. In overall prologue finished 44 car crews.

Prologue results „Italian Baja”

1. B.Gadasin/D.Shemel (both from Russia), („G-Force Motorsport”, „G-Force Proto12002”) 9:15,3

2. V.Vasilyev/V.Yevtyekhov (both from Russia), („G-Force Motorsport”, „G-Force Proto” +5,2

3. P.van Merksteijn (Netherlands)/E.Chevaillier (Belgum), („Overdrive Racing”, „Toyota Hilux Overdrive”) +15,9

4. P.Larini/P.Musacchia (both from Italy), („Ralliart DF Italia”, „Mitsubishi L 200”) +32,2

5. Z. Porizek/M.Sykora (both from Czech), („Offroadsport”, „Toyota Hummer”) +34,4

6. T.Gardemeisters (Finnland)/A.Pētersons (Latvia), („RE Autoclub”, „Mitsubishi Pajero L2”) +35,5

… 28. A.Terentjevs/A.Terentjevs (both from Russia), („RE Autoclub”, „Toyota LC 200” +2:21,7