Suzuki Juniors: challenge for success

Suzuki Swift Super 1600 drivers Jaan Molder from Estonia and Michal Kosciuszko from Poland began their challenge for success on the Jordan Rally when they crossed the ceremonial start line on the banks of the Dead Sea, south-west of Jordan's capital Amman this evening (1800, local time).
The pair of Suzuki Sport Europe drivers, both of whom finished on the podium on the first JWRC round of the season in Mexico, are joined in Jordan by Germany's Florian Niegel, who starts his Junior World Rally Championship in a Swift Super 1600 run by Suzuki Rallye Junior Team Germany.
The crews are preparing themselves for what is likely to be the hottest event of the season. Temperatures at this morning's shakedown stage, which is the driver's final opportunity to fine-tune their car to the specific conditions in Jordan, were climbing towards 40 degrees. The shakedown stage was 2.5km in length and situated just north of the Dead Sea service park. None of the Suzuki drivers suffered any problems during the morning - and all were pleased with the opportunity to drive at competitive speeds for the first time in these conditions.

News from Jaan Molder (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"This is a completely new event for everybody - and it's going to be a really difficult one. The grip changes quite a lot. And in some places the road is difficult to read. The final day has the two longest stages of the event, which is going to make this a hard rally right until the finish."

News from Michal Kosciuszko (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"The recce was quite tough. We had to wait until the manufacturer drivers had finished in the stages, which then meant we had to rush through them. We had a small problem with the notes I'd made for the shakedown stage this morning, but after the first loop, everything was okay. I'm looking forward to this rally. I've done Portugal, Sardinia and Acropolis before and there is a bit of each of those rallies in this one."

News from Florian Niegel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"After watching the first round of the Juniors on my television at home, it feels great to be here competing with them. I did four runs at the shakedown stage this morning. I wasn't going to take any chances - I was not risking anything. It was just to check the car, and everything was perfect for me and my Suzuki. It's fantastic to be here competing, but this is going to be a hard, hard rally. For the tyre, it could be really difficult with the heat like it it. It's so hot!"