SEAT's hopes of landing a good result on Rally Finland have been hit by a heavy testingꦏ accident for Toni Gardemeister.

The Finn was running the new E3 version of the team's Cordoba WRC in preparation for last weekend's Exide Rally when the incident happened and, although the crew was unharmed, the car was too badly damaged to competeꦿ in the event. Although the E3 was not due to appear in the world championship until the Finnish event next month, the accident is now likely to set back testing for several weeks.

The delay is bad news for a team struggling to make its mark on this year's championship, but lead driver Didier Auriol is convinced that, with a bit more work, the new car can be an improvement over its pr♐edecessor.

''I need to try it on tarmac first,'' he admitted, ''but it's not too bad. The engine's got more torque and better re𝓡sponse - it just needs a bit more development.''

Both Auriol and Gar🔯demeister ar🉐e scheduled to contest next weekend's Rally of New Zealand.