News from Jaan Molder (Suzuki Swift n.32): "Today was all about testing for the future, as it was always going to be almost impossible for me to score some points. Also it's hard to have the same motivation when you have retired. But it is always good to have time in the car, so today was not wasted. We can get some good experience for Finland, where the roads are quite similar to how they are back home in Estonia."

News from Michal Kosciuszko (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"It's been a fantastic rally and I am absolutely overjoyed to take my first Junior win! From the beginning my car was perfect: I think we had the best set-up in the service park. My only regret is that Martin Prokop had a problem on the final day, as I would have liked the fight to continue to the finish; but we had two days of really close competition and it was the most exciting rally of my career. Sometimes I was a bit too cautious, but we didn't have any big moments or punctures at all during the three days so it was the right decision. I'd like to thank all the Suzuki team: I don't think it is possible to have a better car in conditions like this."

News from Florian Niegel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"It was obviously a frustrating rally for us, as by the second day we were reduced to being spectators rather than drivers, as the result of our accident. But looking on the positive side, we have been able to have a bit of time behind the wheel of the car on gravel, which will be vital for the future as I am still lacking in experience compared to the others."

DAY 2: SUZUKI LEADS A THRILLING FIGHT IN SARDINIA!

Suzuki Sport Europe driver Michal Kosciuszko is in the thick of the fight for the Junior World Rally Championship victory in Sardinia, finishing the second day of the rally leading the class by just half a second over his nearest rival. The young Pole claimed the lead on SS9 this morning, and although he lost it on the penultimate stage of the day, he grabbed it back in the very last test.

Niegel will not be able to re-start the final day as the damage was too extensive, but Molder's car will be assessed at service with a view to starting again tomorrow. The final day of the rally will take place over five stages, totalling 78.57 competitive kilometres.

News from Jaan Molder (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"I had a good feeling today because I like today's stages, so what happened is a real shame. I don't think I hit anything hard, but that's rallying sometimes and I'm very disappointed that I could not finish the day. I think the team will be able to get me out again under the super rally rules tomorrow: obviously I can't score points but it's a good opportunity for me to gather experience and test for Finland."

News from Michal Kosciuszko (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"It's been a very exciting day, and I'm really enjoying such an amazing fight for the lead of the category. The car has been very good today, but the driver has made a couple of mistakes! It's very hard to judge the right braking point as the grip is so inconsistent: some of the time you get it right and then other times the whole thing is wrong. But we've avoided any really big moments, which is good. We were a bit high over some of the jumps, but I'm pushing quite hard. The plan is very simple: we want to win the Junior category here."

News from Florian Niegel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"Unfortunately we rolled in the first stage of the day and retired. In a fast left corner after a jump our front-left suspension broke. The car then got out of control and we rolled twice. Thanks to the very good safety of our Swift Super 1600 we are fine. Nevertheless we are really sad because our plan for the day was to drive consistently without too much risk. Now we're forced just to watch the stages as spectators."

DAY 1: THRILLING START FOR THE SUZUKI JUNIORS IN SARDINIA

The Junior World Rally Championship competition in Sardinia has got off to a thrilling start, with Suzuki Sport Europe driver Michal Kosciuszko just 3.7 seconds off the lead of the category at the end of day one. His team mate Jaan Molder has ended the day fifth (only 12.3 seconds off fourth). The identical Suzuki Swift Super 1600 of Florian Niegel, run by Suzuki Rallye Junior Team Germany, is sixth - on Niegel's second-ever World Rally. In total, Kosciuszko's Swift has set two fastest stage times, underlining the speed and reliability of the Swift in these challenging conditions.

All three of the cars have steered clear of major problems throughout today's six stages - despite a puncture for Molder in the afternoon - underlining the form that saw Suzuki claim the Junior World Rally Championship class win in Sardinia last year. Tomorrow the duel for the lead will take place over six more gravel stages, totalling 134.60 kilometres: the longest day of the rally. With some rain still possible, the scene is set for another fascinating day of action over the rocky Sardinian stages.

News from Jaan Molder (Suzuki Swift n.32):
"It's been quite a difficult day for us today, but at least we are still in the battle. I wasn't so happy with my feeling with the brakes of the car in the morning: the brakes were not fading but it felt inconsistent. In the afternoon they were fine. We've also had difficulties in getting good traction and a puncture on the last stage, which we had to drive with for 10 kilometres. For the two-wheel drive cars this is a real challenge: the main thing will be just to get to the finish."

News from Michal Kosciuszko (Suzuki Swift n.35):
"I've really enjoyed today, and it's been good to be in the middle of such an exciting battle for the lead. However, the driving style for this event has been very specific: it's almost been a question of trying to drive slowly in order to be quick. Because the roads are slippery and there is not so much traction you have to be very smooth. There were many times when I thought I had gone into a corner too slowly, but actually the car was struggling for grip and traction in the corner - so if anything the approach was too quick. I'm very happy though: I think we've got the best set-up car in the service park!"

News from Florian Niegel (Suzuki Swift n.43):
"Apart from a puncture in the morning, I've had no problems today. But I think there's still a lot of speed to come out of me rather than the car, which is very good on this surface. I'm still lacking in experience, particularly on these roads, as I didn't do a pre-event test. For me it's clear that I need to concentrating on learning both the car and the stages without taking any risks. In the afternoon we changed the set-up: we softened the suspension and raised the front of the car, and this seemed to work well. I'm looking forward to finding out more tomorrow.."