17.03.2012

New Latvian racing team’s „RE Autoclub” pilot from Finland Toni Gardemeister in duet with his Latvian co-pilot Agris Petersons on Saturday sucessfully finished FIA World cup first day’s two rally raid stages. These results helped this team to reach 3rd place in overall. Second „RE Autoclub” crew with russian pilots – Alexander Terenyev/Alexander Terentyev Jr. takes 32nd place in overall. Most important and cruical race is expected on last „Italian Baja” stages on 18th March, where will be runned last - 3rd and 4th rally raid stages.

„Italia Baja” second day rally raid stages were full of rock stones, sands and drivers needed to overcome water barriers. „It was difficult to maintain the speed in the places, where we needed to overcome water barriers. After water jets in cars windscreen for few seconds we weren’t able to see anything. We need to try drive in previously choosed trajectory” , first two stages comments Toni Gardemeister.

After „Italian Baja” first stage it’s three time total champion from Russia Boris Gadasin („G-Force 12002”) was forced to withdraw from copetitions because of his car’s steering wheel technical problems.

Gadasins failure immediately tried to use other "Italian Baja" leaders – Netherlands racer Peter van Merkstein („Toyota Hilux Overdrive”) after first stage took first place, but after second stage – first place took worldly famous Dakar participant Zan Lui Shlesser with his buggy named  „Schlesser Original”.

The second "RE Autoclub" crew with Russian pilots Alexander Terentyev and Alexander Terentyev Jr. ("Toyota LC 200")  were hit by cars steering wheel technical problem, and because of this they were forced to drive without car turbine. In the end of the second rally raid stage they take 32^nd place in overall in 38 crew competition.

"The most important thing is not to give up and not lose the optimism. Even in a situation when the car doesn’t work, " after first „Italian Baja” day says „RE Autoclub” pilot Alexander Terentyev.

On sunday "Italian Baja" participants will face the last 3rd and 4th rally raid phases - each of them will be 81 km long. Thus, on Sunday afternoon will be known „Italian Baja’s” 19th edition champions.