Gardemeister excluded.

Mitsubishi privateer, Toni Gardemeister has been excluded from the Rally de Portugal, the fifth round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

Gardemeister had finished leg 1 in tenth place overall, however after the stewards received a report from the FIA technical delegate stating that the Finn had arrived at time control 4A without a left rear tyre, they had no option but to disqualify him.

Under the rules, article 3.6 of the FIA WRC Sporting Regulations, it stipulates that 'on a road section that is a public road a competition car may only be driven on four wheels and tyres'.

The full statement from the organisers read:

"The stewards received a report from the FIA Technical delegate (including a photograph) which stated that competitor No. 17, Entrant and Driver Toni Gardemeister, co-driver Jakke Honkanen arrived at TC4A without a left rear tyre.

"Article 3.6 of the 2007 FIA WRC Sporting Regulations states that 'on a road section that is a public road a competition car may only be driven on four wheels and tyres'.

"The stewards then summoned the Entrant and Driver as well as the Co-driver of car No. 17 to them and heard them. The stewards reminded them that under the current system, if they had not proceeded onto the public road in these conditions, they would have continued in the rally under article 3.5.4.3 of the 2007 FIA WRC Sporting Regulations.

"Under the circumstances and after due deliberation, the stewards decide to exclude car No. 17 from the event."

Portuguese national champion, Armindo Araujo, who is 12th overall, now takes up the baton for Mitsubishi, as the only other driver entered in a Lancer WR 05.