GUY Wilks has hailed as stunning Suzuki's all-new Swift Super 1600 rally car, ahead of its debut in round five of the Junior World Rally Championship in Finland next month.

The brand new Swift has recently received type approval from the FIA, which governs world rallying, and the objective for the car to win its debut event remains firmly fixed.

Suzuki has been further encouraged by an extremely successful four-day asphalt test in the south of France, where the Swift racked up more than 500 trouble-free kilometres in the hands of Junior World Rally Championship pace-setters Wilks and P-G Andersson.

Darlington's Wilks, currently second in the JWRC, said: "The Swift is a stunning car and we've done a lot of extremely useful work.

"The car's handling and balance is exceptionally good, and I feel very confident about what we can achieve both in Finland and in the long-term future.

"Reliability has been excellent as well and I am sure we can be straight on the pace."

Rally Finland is the fastest and most technically challenging event of the entire calendar, with a perfect set-up required from the cars and total commitment needed from the drivers.

There will be a final three-day test in Finland immediately prior to the event in order to fine-tune the Swift's gravel set-up to the specific conditions.

* Axed IndyCar driver Darren Manning has expressed shock at being released mid-season by his team but says he is determined to get back behind the wheel, sooner rather than later.

The 30-year-old Harrogate-born driver saw his 18-month stay with Target Chip Ganassi Racing come to an abrupt end on Tuesday during what he thought was just an ordinary team meeting with Ganassi's team director Mike Hull.

"It was a real shock when I discovered that I was surplus to requirements at TCG," said Manning.

"It was a dream come true to be chosen as a driver for one of the top teams in American motor racing, and I have enjoyed my time here, and scored some good results in the 18 months."

After joining Ganassi's team shortly before the start of the 2004 season in the seat originally earmarked for the late Tony Renna, the former Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Champ Car driver finished just behind defending IRL Champion Scott Dixon in his first year with the team.

Although an accident at the California Speedway meant he missed the final round of the Championship and dropped him behind Dixon in the overall standings, Manning secured a trio of fourth place finishes in a year where Ganassi's Dallara-Toyota package wasn't on a par with the Honda engines used by seven of the top nine finishers in that years' standings.

"It's really disappointing, but I've been in a lot worse situations than this," continued Yorkshireman.

"Chip (Ganassi, team owner) hasn't cut my legs off; he hasn't shot me.

"I'm still breathing, so everything will be all right.

"This hasn't put a dent in my ambition at all. It might even make things better."

Published: 29/07/2005