Thread: Acropolis Rally 2008 (WRC)

First run in 1951, the Acropolis is regarded as the toughest challenge in the current WRC calendar and is renowned for its rocky mountain tracks, searing heat and physically demanding cockpit conditions. Cars and crews alike are put to a punishing test and this year's menu of 20 stages totalling 339km should once again ensure that the event lives up to its reputation.

Greece will be a true test to new tyres with it's rough terrain. Today I saw Seb's interview and he said that this year the roads are in very bad condition with big rocks here and there on the way. Subaru is using their new car here for the first time and it's interesting to see if it's ready to run or still in evolution phase, anyways it's prettier than the previous model. Latvala is again going fast but with hazardous style, he drove off the road already at the shakedown stage, but didn't suffer any major damage to his car and is able to start the rally.

I love the Acropolis rally. The roads are brutal! I'm hoping for quite an upset as there will probably be lots of retirements.

Situation after 3 stages before first service break.

Code:

 1. J-M. Latvala      Ford    39.22,5 
 2. Sebastien Loeb    Citroen    +4,2 
 3. Daniel Sordo      Citroen    +6,2 
 4. Mikko Hirvonen    Ford      +26,2
 5. Petter Solberg    Subaru    +27,4 
 6. Henning Solberg   Ford      +34,4 
 7. Urmo Aava         Citroen   +39,6 
 8. Chris Atkinson    Subaru    +45,7

SS4: Latvala has a tyre puncture
SS5: Both Ford drivers suffer from understeer and are losing time
SS6: Sordo does some tactics and stops on the stage and lets Latvala pass
SS7: Both Ford drivers have suspension failures and are now far behind the lead.
SS8: Incar camera footage shows that Latvala and Hirvonen hitted same rock in SS7, Sordo is now trailing Loeb and is only 8 seconds behind.
SS9: Loeb has a tyre puncture, Hirvonen breaks his suspension again.