Suzuki to participate in 2003 WRC junior series
19 December 2002: Four Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 cars will participate in the seven rounds of the junior world series in the 2003 World Rally Car programme. The cars will be driven by four privateer teams, but will receive technical support from a newly created company: Suzuki Works Techno (SWT).
This company has been created to reinforce Suzuki's links with motor sport and in conjunction with Suzuki Sport, Suzuki Works Techno will continue the research and development work on the Ignis Super 1600 throughout the JWRC season.
The four teams, drivers and co-drivers are as follows: Team SWT Japan - Daniel Carlsson (S)/Mattias Anderson (S)); Team SWT UK - Ville-Pertti Teuronen (FIN)/Harri Kaapro (FIN); Team SWT France - Urmo Aava (EE)/Kuldar Sikk (EE); Team SWT Italy - Salvador Canellas (E)/Xavier Amigo (E).
Suzuki had a promising debut season in 2002 Junior World Championship which included a podium finish and a fastest stage time. Responsible for these good results was German Niki Schelle, who was presented with the Best Suzuki Driver of the Year Award by the Vice-president of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Mr Tsutsui.
The seven Junior World Championship rounds are as follows:
1 Monte Carlo Rally (MC) - January 22-26
2 Rally of Turkey (TR) - February 28-March 2
3 Acropolis Rally (GR) - June 4-8
4 Rally Finland (FIN) - August 6-10
5 Sanremo Rally (I) - October 1-5
6 Catalunya Rally (E) - October 22-26
7 Rally Great Britain (GB) - November 5-9