19.03.2012

Worldwide known finnish sportsman Toni Gardemeister showed good performance with „RE Autoclub” team and took 5th place in „Italian Baja 2012” overall. The second „RE Autoclub” crew, Aleksandr Terentyev and Aleksandr Terentyev Jr., with „Toyota Landcruiser 200” in rally raid overall took 25th place. Rally raid finish line reached 31 crew insted of 44.

On Sunday’s „Italian Baja” 4th and 5th stage best performance showed russian driver Vladimir Vasilyev with „G-Force Proto”. His car was first in both Sunday`s rally stages and in overall. In previous year Vasilyev teammate Boris Gadasin was the rally raid winner, but on saturtday Boris Gadasin was forced to withdrew from the race because of the technical problems.

37 sec. later the finish line reached sportsman from Netherland Peter van Markensteijn („Toyota Hilux Overdrive”) he was the leader on „Italian Baja” 2nd day. But 3rd place took sportsman from Ukraine Bogdan Novitsky with „G-Force Proto”.

„RE Autoclub” crew with Gardemeister/Petersons on Sunday start line were 3rd crew, but unfortunately they lost this position: on 4th stage they showed 6th best result, but on 5th stage – 9th best result. In overall they are in 5th place - just 17 sec. after famous baggy driver J.Lui Schlesser.

„After Saturday we were on high 3rd place thats why on Sunday’s start line we went in good mood. Unfortunately already in the beginning of the stage we lost to of the cylinders and because of this the results are as they are now,” comments Toni Gardemeister. „Ofcourse, I wanted to be among the best three crews - because of this I am dissapointed. But there is no doubt – for first time it was a big experience and it will help me for next rally raid sessions.”

„I am satisfied with overall results. It could be better - it always can be better”, comments „RE Autoclub” team director Roberts Elbakjans. „Beeing in one team with Toni Gardemeister is a great experience. We have evaluated the situation and will work hard to improve our cars, so that our sportsmen could get the best places in other rally raid stages and championships. The next competitions will be in Astrakhan, Russian Championship from 19. – 22. April.”

„Italian Baja 2012” overall results:
1. V. Vasilyev/V.Yevtyekhov (Russia) („G-Force Motorsport”, „G-Force Proto”) +3.47:13
2. P.Van Merksteyn (Netherland)/E. Schevaillier (Belgum) („Overdrive Racing”, „Toyota Hilux Overdrive”) +0:37
3. B.Novytskyi Novickis/I. Kondratiiev (Ukraine) („G-Force Proto”) +7:21
4. J.Schlesser (France) /K.Zhiltsov (Russia) („Sonagol Schlesser”, „Schlesser Original”) +7:45
5. T. Gardemeisters (Finland) / A.Petersons (Latvia), („RE Autoclub”, „Mitsubishi Pajero L2”) +8:02
… 25. A. Terentyev / A. Terentyev Jr. (Russia), („RE Autoclub”, „Toyota LC 200”) +2.18:25