Tony Jardine

Tony Jardine is a man with an impressive record in any kind of activity connected with motorsport. Over decades which he spent in motorsport, he left a significant trail either acting as a TV commentator and journalist,  working for his PR company or some of the motorsport teams, or driving rally cars in WRC and other competitions.

Tony Jardine

Working as a teacher and starting a rally career in Kuwait

Born in March 1952, Anthony 'Tony' Jardine worked as a teacher in 1970s. A teaching career brought him to Kuwait where he started his rallying career, driving for local Datsun importer in his free time.

During the 1980s, Jardine was working in different jobs for several F1 teams, including Brabham, McLaren and Lotus.

Tony Jardine, pictured with Stirling Moss, in an F1 insider for more than 30 years

Formula One commentator for more than 30 years

In 1985, Jardine formed his own sports PR company Jardine Communications. Today the company is HPS Jardine and Tony is a chairman.

During the 1980s, Jardine also started to work as TV commentator for F1 races. During the years, he also acted as pit lane reporter and presenter of other events except for F1. Over decades, he worked for BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, talkSport, BeIn Sports among others.

Tony Jardine is active in rallying since the 1970s

A regular competitor at British WRC round since 1991

For us, the most interesting part of Jardine's life is his rallying career. In the late 1980s and in 1990, he competed in British national events with different cars such were Talbot Sunbeam, Rover 3500 S or Toyota Corolla GT.

In 1991, Jardine made his WRC debut, driving a Toyota Corolla GT at Lombard RAC Rally. Together with his navigator Duncan Barbour, he finished 49th overall and 21st in PWRC class. Since then, Jardine was a regular entrant in the main British rally event, recording 22 participations until 2016.

Arctic Lapland Rally is one of events which Jardine loves the most

Seven starts at Arctic Rally in Finland

In 1992 and 1993, Jardine was driving a Toyota Celica GT-4 in British WRC round. In the next four attempts, from 1994 to 1997, his car was a Ford Escort RS Cosworth. In 1995 and 1997, Jardine was also driving Ford at Arctic Rally in Finland, a part of the European Rally Championship.

At 1998 Rally GB, Jardine switched to Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV, using that car also at 1999 Arctic Rally. At 1999 Rally GB, his choice was a Proton Compact. In 2000, Jardine competed in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV at Arctic Rally and in a Honda Integra Type R at Rally GB.

In a new millennium, Jardine came to the 2001 Rally GB in a Honda Integra Type R finishing 19th in PWRC category and second in Class N3. His next car was an MG ZR 160, which he was driving at Wales Rally GB from 2002 to 2004, taking Class N3 wins two times. He was also driving an MG at Arctic Lapland Rally in 2003 and 2004. Jardine returned one more time to Arctic Lapland Rally nine years later, in 2013, in a Subaru.

Tony Jardine at 2008 Swedish Rally in a Ford Fiesta ST

Adding Swedish Rally to his schedule in 2008 and 2010

Jardine missed the Wales Rally GB for the first time in 2005, still being active in some other national events with different cars (MG ZR 160, Peugeot 206 or Škoda Fabia). From 2006 to 2008, Jardine visited Wales Rally GB three times in a Ford Fiesta ST. From 2005 to 2007, Jardine also recorded three participations at Rally Norway.

In 2008, Jardine added one more WRC rally to his schedule, driving a Ford Fiesta ST at Uddeholm Swedish Rally. He was 43rd overall and second in N3 class. He returned to Sweden in 2010, driving a Subaru Impreza STi N14 to 20th place in N4 class.

Tony Jardine and Amy Williams at 2013 Wales Rally GB

Class victory at 2013 Wales Rally GB

After missing Wales Rally for two years in a row (2009, 2010), Jardine returned in 2011 in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. That year, he also participated at Rallye Monte-Carlo in a Ford Fiesta ST and at Rally Scotland in a Ford Fiesta R2.

In 2012, Jardine skipped Wales Rally GB, returning in 2013 as a winner. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX alongside navigator Amy Williams, he finished 26th overall and the winner of Class 3. Lancer Evo IX was Jardine's car in four more attempts at Walles Rally GB between 2014 and 2018.

Tony Jardine and one of his co-drivers Peta Todd

Photos: Getty Images, Benjamin A. Ward/ewrc-results.com, crash.net,