WRC: Suzuki: Engine issues sorted.

[Rory Phoulorie]

Sunday, 23rd March 2008

Nobuhiro Tajima wants to see both of his cars get to the finish.


Suzuki boss Nobuhiro Tajima has confirmed that the squad have made some changes to the SX4 WRC's engine ahead of the Rally Argentina next weekend in a bid to improve reliability.

The Japanese manufacturer has done well since stepping up to the 'senior' level, scoring points on the first two rounds, with Per-Gunnar Anderson taking an eighth place finish on the Rallye Monte Carlo and Toni Gardemeister finishing seventh in Sweden.

However the last event earlier this month in Mexico was bitterly disappointing and both drivers were forced out early on due to engine problems.

Since then though Suzuki has 'investigated' the issue and is now determined to bounce back.

The SX4 WRC has also been 'carefully adapted' for the fourth round in the World Rally Championship and with numerous water splashes on the route the front bodywork has been tweaked to disperse the water more quickly and effectively, something that will be essential in order to protect the car and stop the engine being 'drowned'.

The concern for Tajima though is not so much to score, but to ensure both cars get to the finish, something the squad has yet to manage.

"Argentina is renowned as a very tough event, where the soft ground can often hide some big stones," he noted.

"Since Mexico we have improved the reliability of the engine, so we are aiming to get to the finish in Argentina in order to learn more about the car and what is needed to achieve success at the highest level.

"The priority for both drivers is to get to the end: if we can score some points as well it would be a very welcome bonus."

crash.net

[Plex]

Its good to see more manufacturers competing, makes it more interesting.