Huge crowds witnessed a spectacular start to the Acropolis Rally, round six of the FIA World Rally Championship, in central Greece this evening. After the start at Lamia, the 72 competing cars tackled the 2.25km super special stage at Lilea, where two cars at a time raced head-to-head around a purpose built track.
The spectators were treated to superb entertainment by the world's leading drivers as they fought over tenths of a second around the sweeping hairpins of the gravel track, which also included a breathtaking jump and a tunnel.
Markko Märtin and Michael Park headed the Ford BP Rallye Sport challenge in their newly-liveried Castrol-backed Focus RS World Rally Car. They were fifth fastest, just 2.0sec behind leader Marcus Grönholm. Team-mates François Duval and Stéphane Prévot, whose Focus RS also sports a revised BP Ultimate livery, were ninth, 2.3sec behind Grönholm.
"It's not the easiest super special of the season but fifth fastest time is fine," said Märtin. "There were quite a lot of stones on the surface but it wasn't a big problem for us. Now I need a good rest tonight, because today has been a busy day, and then I'll be ready for another long and tough day tomorrow."
Four Focus RS cars were inside the top 10, with the privately-entered cars of Roman Kresta and Janne Tuohino in ninth and 10th respectively. None of the leading drivers encountered major problems.
The opening leg continues tomorrow when drivers face eight more rocky speed tests in the mountains south of Lamia, covering 143.20km. The weather forecast suggests that rain showers are likely which, in the absence of gravel crews, will make tyre selection difficult.
The FIA also announced yesterday afternoon that the rally would trial the proposed new 'Superally' system, which allows retired cars to re-start in a subsequent leg. However, no points will be awarded and competitors will not be classified in the event. The trial will continue on all remaining rounds of the 2004 championship, ahead of an expected introduction to the championship in 2005. The leg-by-leg points system to be used then has still to be finalised.
Leaderboard after stage 1 of 22
1. M Grönholm/T Rautiainen FIN Peugeot 307 1min 53.1sec
2. P Solberg/P Mills N Subaru Impreza 1min 53.3sec
3. C Sainz/M Marti E Citroen Xsara 1min 54.7sec
4. M Stohl/I Minor A Peugeot 206 1min 54.9sec
5= M Märtin/M Park EE Ford Focus RS 1min 55.1sec
5= D Carlsson/M Andersson S Peugeot 206 1min 55.1sec
7. A Schwarz/M Hiemer D Skoda Fabia 1min 55.2sec
8. F Duval/S Prévot B Ford Focus RS 1min 55.4sec
9. R Kresta/J Tomanek CZ Ford Focus RS 1min 55.7sec
I know I know, I own a focus...but I've always liked the Citroen...it's a shame we don't see any of those over the pond. I used to race the Citroen on GT3 all the time.
RPIJG wrote: I know I know, I own a focus...but I've always liked the Citroen...it's a shame we don't see any of those over the pond. I used to race the Citroen on GT3 all the time.
You can get them through Mexico. French car companies are looking at North America since they pretty much dominate small diesel engine production. I pulled together a deal on a Clio V6 but ended up being offered a pile more than I paid for it so it's gone.
____________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
