Sometimes called the ‘European Safari’ given the extremely powerful circumstances, this weekend’s World Rally Championship Acropolis Rally is more likely to be even more durable than its African counterpart.
WRC drivers are set to face probably the roughest Acropolis Rally in latest reminiscence because of collection of contributing elements that has resulted in a lot rougher stage circumstances.
The Greek spherical of the WRC is famend for being one among its hardest however a few of this weekend’s area consider the rally will probably be more difficult than Kenya’s Safari Rally, considered the WRC’s hardest occasion.
Lengthy intervals of dry sizzling climate have made it troublesome for organisers to restore and put together the gravel roads earlier than internet hosting spherical 10 of the 2024 season. Consequently, the levels are a lot rougher with extra unfastened rocks and bedrock for opponents to navigate by way of in searing warmth.
The highway circumstances have considerably elevated the danger of punctures and injury to vehicles. It’s a stark distinction to final 12 months’s occasion that was affected by Storm Daniel that compelled organisers to cancel shakedown as a result of flooding.
“We have not seen a Rally Acropolis this tough for a few years. I feel in 2009, this rally was extraordinarily tough and there was many retirements, so will probably be one thing like this,” stated Toyota workforce principal Jari- Matti Latvala.
“The previous years has been fairly clean, however now it hasn’t rained so the organisers have not been in a position to actually restore the roads since you want the rain to, push the fabric into the bottom they usually weren’t in a position to do this.
Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
“So now it is a matter of ways. You attempt to be sensible along with your driving. It is not about having an assault on a regular basis. The technique of the drivers goes to be in a key aspect.”
Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier believes the levels are even rougher than these on Safari Rally Kenya, admitting that he struggled to select a secure line by way of the rocks on the pre-event recce.
“I feel it’s [rougher than Kenya] as a result of there are some sections the place it is simply filled with rocks in all places so there’s not a lot you are able to do,” Ogier instructed Motorsport.com.
“It’s totally arduous to select a method to keep away from them, there isn’t any likelihood to keep away from them.
“When in Kenya I felt that you would be able to handle your threat by the road you’re taking and every little thing, right here there are sections filled with rocks and you are feeling powerless on this scenario. In some locations on the recce I simply stopped and I watched, I simply didn’t know the place to move by way of the highway. I didn’t know what’s the finest [option].”
Championship chief Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who holds a 27-point benefit over Ogier, conceded that he’ll take a unique method contemplating his title aspirations.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
“You at all times have these three or 4 guys who go for it and undoubtedly one will get by way of like at all times, perhaps two, after which there’s just one spot of the rostrum left,” Neuville instructed Motorsport.com.
“For us, the method will probably be completely different. We are going to control our championship rivals.
“We do not know what their method is and Ogier in all probability has much less to lose however nonetheless, I feel he is additionally concerned within the combat for the producer championship. I feel on a rally like this, Ogier has typically a intelligent method and we’ll attempt to discover a good steadiness. Another drivers would possibly go for it.
“For the danger and for the lottery, it’s harder than Safari. On the Safari Rally you’ve dips however you brake, you undergo, and also you stick with it. However right here you’ll find a number of issues on the highway, which you have not seen earlier than, and that is it.”
Is the Acropolis Rally verging on being too tough?
Whereas the Acropolis Rally has a storied historical past for being Europe’s hardest rally, M-Sport workforce principal Richard Millener says organisers should be cautious to not make the occasion too troublesome.
“The FIA has been pushing for this occasion to be as tough because it has been for a couple of years, so let’s have a look at what occurs. I am on the fence with it,” stated Millener.
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, M-Sport Ford World Rally Workforce Ford Puma Rally1
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
“I feel, sure, there’s a component of endurance to this, however I simply hate dropping vehicles, and the minute you lose vehicles, even when you can restore damaged suspension and issues like that, your battles are gone. I do not like occasions that find yourself with massive gaps between the vehicles and OK, there’s nonetheless the Sunday factors to combat for which takes a few of that away.
“I feel we additionally simply must watch out we do not make it tough to check out the Rally1 vehicles we even have the Rally2 and Rally3 vehicles.”
