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In 1994, Toni Gardemeister's father, Olavi, asked Paavo Lukander to navigate for his son on just one rally - and he has been co-driving for him ever since!
Far from being a vastly experienced partner, it was only Lukander's fourth ever rally, but Olavi felt that he would be a good influence on his son. Olavi is a good judge of character, for Lukander has been instrumental in the sensational development of World Rallying's brightest young driving talent. Lukander's astonishing varied sporting experience and mature outlook on life has been of enormous benefit to his younger driver. The two Finnish sportsmen compliment each other perfectly and the respect each have for one another, both in and out of a rally car, is indisputable. Lukander never grew up intending to one day become a famous international rally co-driver. The fact he has become one of the world's best in such an extraordinary short space of time reflects the amazing natural gift he has for sport. He has played both Finnish premier league ice hockey and volleyball, ski-jumped competitively and, in 1994, completed the Helsinki City Marathon in exactly four hours at his first attempt. |
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1995 Finnish Junior Championship 1996 World Championship debut (1000 Lakes Rally) 1st F2 Valtikka Rally, PTV Rally 7th F2/14th o/a-RAC Rally 1997 1st F2-Artic Rally, Peurunka Rally, OP Rally 1st class /3rd o/a-Rallye delle Palme 1st o/a-Rallyd el Tronto (1st win outside Finland) 3rd F2-Rally Finland 1998 1st o/a Kouvola Rally 2nd F2-New Zealand, Finland, Rally of GB 1999 1st F2-Monte Carlo Rally 3rd o/a Rally New Zealand |
