Gardemeister hopes to stay in IRC

The Finn was running in second overall with the Astra Racing-run car on the Monte Carlo Rally, when he was forced to retire due to alternator failure with only two stages remaining.

Although his deal was initially only for Monte Carlo, Gardemeister and the Astra team - who also finished third together on the 2006 Monte Carlo Rally with a private Peugeot - now hope to remain together for more of the IRC season.

Astra Racing team boss Luca Pregliasco said he was determined to hang on to Gardemeister, who was left high and dry after Suzuki pulled the plug on its troubled SX4 WRC campaign at the end of last year.

"We've still got some hurdles to overcome, but we're racing against time to get Toni out to the next round in Brazil," said Pregliasco.

"He did a great job for us again, as we expected, in Monte Carlo. He's simply one of the world's top drivers."

The next round of the IRC, the Rally Internacional de Curitiba, takes place from 5-7 March in Brazil.

"From what I can see of the IRC, I liked it," Gardemeister added. "Even though I wasn't able to finish Monte, I had a lot of fun and showed that I could be competitive.

"Of course I would like to do some more rallies in the IRC: for the moment I have nothing else so it is my best possibility."