16.02.2016

From 20 to 22 February in Karelia, Russia will take place in the first stage of FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the Russian championship rallyraid "Northern Forest". There will be four ''RE Autoclub'' crews represented, including one piloted by Toni Gardemeister with the co-driver Latvian racer Krisjanis Caune.

This year in the Cross Country Rally World Cup 1st round Latvian team "RE Autoclub" will star strong and already proven athletes:
• Toni Gardemeister, Finland, Krisjanis Caune, Latvia (Mitsubishi MPR 107)
Gardemeister has participated in more than 210 races, including title for the world's 4th fastest. As his co-driver is selected Krisjanis Caune (Latvia) who is in motorsport since he has been 11 and has been on the podium more than 18 times.
• Jouni Ampuja, Markku Hurskainen, Finland (Mitsubishi MPR 112)
Ampuja has also participated in more than 200 competitions. This crew last year for the first time participated in all the stages of the Russian Championships and were the runner-ups, losing only by 2 points. This year the crew is ready to fight till the end.
• Tapio Lauronen, Toni Lauronen, Finland (Mitsubishi L2)
Tapio Lauronen is an experienced Finnish rally and rallysprint driver. He is especially fond of this particular winter rally stage and has been a participant for numerous years. But this year for the first time in the role of the co-driver will be Lauronen's son Toni, who in his 20 years has gained significant experience in the Finnish rallies.
• Alexander Terentyev, Alexey Berkut, Russia (Ford Raptor F150SVT)
Terentjev is an experienced member of the Russian Rally Championship and managed to also prove himself on global stages - this year's Africa Eco Race, taking the 1st place in the T2 class.

"RE Autoclub" is definitely ready for its debut in the World Cup this season, "We are glad that we are going to the tournament in great numbers, including excellent Finnish drivers. At the same time this will be a big challenge for us, because in two of the crews pilots and navigators will work together for the first time. We expect a really interesting race and a strong competition! Only then we will be pleased with the work we have done!" said by the Re Autoclub director Roberts Elbakjans.

"Northern Forest" is the only snow and ice-covered rally stage in the FIA World Cup series. It is the most impressive and most popular rally raid in Russia, where the 350 km long route includes the most beautiful and at the same time - devious, windy, snow-covered forest roads of the St. Petersburg region.

Rally "Northern Forest" will take place in Russia, Karelia. It will be attended by more than 35 crews. This year participants will come also from Venezuela, Argentina, Qatar, Italy, Poland, Russia, Latvia and Finland. Participants will have to compete in three special stages with a total length of about 350 km.