Cars and drivers struggle as Acropolis wrecker takes toll

Last updated 19:43, Thursday, 05 June 2008

MIKKO HIRVONEN and Jarmo Lehtinen claimed a gutsy podium finish on Acropolis Rally of Greece as Ford maintained its lead in the manufacturers' standings of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The Finns finished third in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car after one of the roughest WRC events in recent memory.

Team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were seventh in a similar Focus RS on the three-day event, which proved a matter of survival as much as pure speed.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team holds a two-point lead after seven of the 15 rounds.

Hirvonen staged a determined recovery after hitting problems on each of the first two days to remain in the midst of the battle for the drivers' title. He lies second, just one point off the lead.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson said: “We have to accept that we have some issues that we need to address. From a drivers' point of view experience counted for a lot here."

Mark Deans, Ford of Europe's motorsport director added: “Rallies rarely come tougher than this and I'm delighted we brought all three cars to the finish after a roller-coaster weekend.

“A podium was a reward for our perseverance, especially for our mechanics who worked so hard to keep the cars going."

nTHE SEVENTH round of the FIA World Rally Championship threw everything at the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team. Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin led the way with a superb sixth placed result on the Acropolis Rally of Greece.

Team-mates Henning Solberg/Cato Menkerud pushed through Sunday setbacks to finish eighth overall and score three valuable manufacturer points for their Stobart team.

Wilson's fine result sees him move up to ninth in the Drivers' Championship while Solberg occupies eighth.

Solberg's manufacturer points haul also keeps the Stobart team in sight of third place as they nestle just 13 points behind in fourth.

Solberg was set for a fine result coming into the final leg comfortably in third position overall.

Unfortunately for the Norwegian a mysterious electrical issue caused his car to cut out several times during the stages and most prolifically on stage 17 when he lost over five minutes.

Still it was a gallant effort to bring his Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 back in one piece and in a position to pick up some vital manufacturer points.

Wilson had a fairly clean run all weekend due to safe and intelligent driving and good preservation of his Pirelli tyres which held up well throughout the event.

The only major issue for the 21-year-old was a broken prop-shaft on stage threewhich lost him around 45 seconds.

Despite their four stage wins it was just not Gigi Galli/Giovanni Bernacchini's rally as they retired on all three days.

On a brighter note, however, Galli won the inaugural Colin McRae Trophy, offered by the organisers of the Acropolis Rally of Greece, for achieving the highest average speed -100.77kph - on a stage.

Weather conditions were typical of a Greek summer with blistering hot temperatures and blue skies on all three days.

The heat certainly took its toll on crews as cockpit temperatures marched well into the 40 degree centigrade bracket meaning fitness and concentration played a big role in performance.

The next event for the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team will see all three crews travel to Rally of Turkey for another hot summer event.

Matthew Wilson said: "I'm really pleased with our result here. I knew we had to improve on Sardinia when I didn't have a good feeling with the car and we did just that.

“The times on the first day were really encouraging for me but we had the prop-shaft problem which knocked us back.

“But we climbed back into a fantastic position then concentrated on preserving the car and getting round without any other major dramas, an achievement in itself.

Now I just want to keep improving and the result here will help me in Turkey where we will try for more decent times."

Malcolm Wilson said: "It's a shame for Henning that he missed out on a podium finish. He had a very sensible and measured drive and used his many years of experience to great effect and I'm disappointed that we were unable to locate the source of the problem.

“Gigi also had his problems but put in some great times and I'm sure he has learned a lot about the conditions here that he can use to good effect on the next round in Turkey.

“Matthew has picked up some important driver points and by staying out of trouble and driving to the conditions, he was able to put Friday's problems behind him and climb up six positions in two days."

Stobart Group Ltd CEO Andrew Tinkler said: "This classic event hasn't provided a classic result for the Stobart team, but Matthew's maturity and determination has shone through.

“He and Scott really focused on getting back into the points and they drove a great rally to stay out of trouble.

“Henning was looking good for a fantastic podium finish but his last-minute problem put paid to that.

“But it has been encouraging to see Gigi setting some more fastest times and I know all three crews will now be setting their sights on Turkey and chasing Subaru in the manufacturer's race."

Final Leaderboard

1. S Loeb/D Elena (Citroën C4) 3h 54m 54.7s

2. P Solberg/P Mills N Subaru Impreza plus 1.09.5

3. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS plus 1.56.1

4. U Aava/K Sikk EE Citroën C4 plus 4.19.7

5. D Sordo/M Marti E Citroën C4 plus 4.49.4

6. M Wilson/S Martin GB Ford Focus RS plus 6.11.3

7. J-M Latvala/M Attila FIN Ford Focus RS plus 6.47.5

8. H Solberg/C Menkerud N Ford Focus RS plus 9.14.0

FIA WRC Manufacturer Standings

1. BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT - 81pts

2. Citroën Total WRT - 79pts