WRC 2008 Acropolis Rally - Greece

flying finn · 26 May 2008, 12:10 (Ref:2212120)

WRC 2008 Acropolis Rally - Greece

Total Kms : 1311.32 km
Liaison : 971.38 km
SS Kms : 339.94 km
Special Stages : 20

Friday 30.05 > 7 stages (110.08 km)
Saturday 31.05 > 6 stages (119.12 km)
Sunday 01.06 > 7 stages (110.74 km)

Home Page > http://www.acropolisrally.gr/en/
Itinerary > http://www.acropolisrally.gr/en/show.php?page=itinerary
Entry List > http://www.acropolisrally.gr/en/show.php?page=entries
Rally Guide > http://www.acropolisrally.gr/en/show...40&page_id=865

Rally preview > http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk...%20of%20Greece
Citroen preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=290444&FS=WRC
Ford preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=290440&FS=WRC
Subaru preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=290442&FS=WRC > Subaru launches the WRC 2008 Impreza at the Acropolis Rally
Stobart preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=290438&FS=WRC

Championship Standings

1. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) > 43
2. Sebastien LOEB (F) > 40
3. Chris ATKINSON (AUS) > 31
4. Jari-Matti LATVALA (FIN) > 24
5. Dani SORDO (E) > 21
6. Gigi GALLI (I) > 17
7. Henning SOLBERG (N) > 11
8. Petter SOLBERG (N) > 9
9. Federico VILLAGRA (RA) > 8
10. Matthew WILSON (GB) > 7

**BertMk2** · 27 May 2008, 08:51 (Ref:2212822)

The unknown with this event will be the new Subaru - according to MN the new Impreza will make its debut in Greece. Is this a good move given the harsh terrain? Or do they really have nothing to lose as the old car is off the pace?

Hopefully the Fords will be keeping the Citroens (well - Loeb at least) honest, I can see Loeb winning then a gaggle of Fords ahead of Sordo. I really don't know about the Subarus - I'd like to think they'll do well but I'll be surprised if they both finish. Suzuki will still be way off the pace unfortunately.

GolddustMini · 27 May 2008, 13:29 (Ref:2213032)

my money is on latvala to either win or bust on this (as with practically every other rally this year it seems, hes either leading or in the weeds!)

zac510 · 27 May 2008, 13:45 (Ref:2213044)

I reckon the new Subaru needs to be out there ASAP.

HrRACING · 27 May 2008, 14:29 (Ref:2213091)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolddustMini

my money is on latvala to either win or bust on this (as with practically every other rally this year it seems, hes either leading or in the weeds!)

Reminds me of a certain Scot!!
If you have the raw pace then experience can stop you chucking it off - if you don't have the pace to start with its not quite as easy to sort it out!

**BertMk2** · 27 May 2008, 14:41 (Ref:2213102)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

I reckon the new Subaru needs to be out there ASAP.

if it's ready to go then they may as well get it out there - they're not going anywhere with the old car so they've really got nothing to lose. Get some testing in with the new car this year and then a proper campaign next year.

**BertMk2** · 30 May 2008, 15:48 (Ref:2215394)

Top ten after 6 stages:

1) Loeb
2) Latvala
3) Sordo
4) Hirvonen
5) P Solberg
6) H Solberg
7) Aava
8) Atkinson
9) Andersson
10) Villagra

429CJ · 31 May 2008, 11:01 (Ref:2215841)

After Subaru changed their car, now all WRC machines are officially chav cars (hatchbacks with large rear wings).

garcon · 31 May 2008, 18:03 (Ref:2216057)

Anyone know what the best finish is for a WRC on its first rally?

End of day two, Petter's lying in second place, only 28 secs behind Loeb.

Is Latvala the new hero then? I'm loving his approach to rallies.... definitely reminiscent of Colin.

HrRACING · 31 May 2008, 21:17 (Ref:2216144)

Burns won in the new Impretza on its debut Portugal 2000.

mountainstar · 31 May 2008, 22:45 (Ref:2216174)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

Anyone know what the best finish is for a WRC on its first rally?

End of day two, Petter's lying in second place, only 28 secs behind Loeb.

Is Latvala the new hero then? I'm loving his approach to rallies.... definitely reminiscent of Colin.

What I like about Latvala and Hirvonen is their cheery attitude. They genuinely seem happy to be there. It is in stark contrast to Gronholm, the car is ****, the stage is ****, everything is ****, ****, ****.

Mekola · 1 Jun 2008, 18:21 (Ref:2217014)

Well, Loeb won another race! And now is in the lead of the champ!

zac510 · 1 Jun 2008, 18:34 (Ref:2217030)

50/50 for the new Impreza but overall they must be optimistic for its future.

Knowlesy · 1 Jun 2008, 18:53 (Ref:2217051)

Latvala is the man it must be said.

Was Solberg using the new Scooby, I thought it was just that Aussie fella?

flying finn · 1 Jun 2008, 22:13 (Ref:2217316)

1. Sebastien LOEB (F) > Citroen C4 > 3:54:54.7 (+0:00.0)
2. Petter SOLBERG (N) > Subaru Impreza > 3:56:04.2 (+1:09.5)
3. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) > Ford Focus > 3:56:50.8 (+1:56.1)
4. Urmo AAVA (EE) > Citroen C4 > 3:59:14.4 (+4:19.7)
5. Dani SORDO (E) > Citroen C4 > 3:59:44.1 (+4:49.4)
6. Matthew WILSON (GB) > Ford Focus > 4:01:06.0 (+6:11.3)
7. Jari-Matti LATVALA (FIN) > Ford Focus > 4:01:42.2 (+6:47.5)
8. Henning SOLBERG (N) > Ford Focus > 4:04:08.7 (+9:14.0)
9. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) > Suzuki SX4 > 4:05:08.5 (+10:13.8)
10. Conrad RAUTENBACH (ZW) > Citroen C4 > 4:08:23.8 (+13:29.1)
11. Per-Gunnar ANDERSSON (S) > Suzuki SX4 > 4:08:47.2 (+13:52.5)
13. Federico VILLAGRA (RA) > Ford Focus > 4:13:24.9 (+18:30.2)

DNF. Chris ATKINSON (AUS) > Subaru Impreza > SS16 (suspension)
DNF. Gigi GALLI (I) > Ford Focus > SS18 (suspension)
DNF. Aris VOVOS (GR) > Ford Focus > SS9 (steering)

Championship Standngs

1. Sebastien LOEB (F) > 50
2. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) > 49
3. Chris ATKINSON (AUS) > 31
4. Jari-Matti LATVALA (FIN) >26
5. Dani SORDO (E) >25
6. Petter SOLBERG (N) >17
7. Gigi GALLI (I) > 17
8. Henning SOLBERG (N) > 12
9. Matthew WILSON (GB) > 10
10. Federico VILLAGRA (RA) > 8

Post-event press conference > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=291633&FS=WRC

Loeb wins easily - good results for Petter Solberg and both Suzukis

garcon · 2 Jun 2008, 19:27 (Ref:2218075)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Latvala is the man it must be said.

Was Solberg using the new Scooby, I thought it was just that Aussie fella?

Nope, the new car for both of them.

Given that Greece and Turkey are meant to be the Impreza WRC2008's final shakedowns, second overall was a stunning result.

There's only really one component the new car seems to be missing in order to start winning rallies straight away... that bloke called Sebastien.

silver bullet · 2 Jun 2008, 22:21 (Ref:2218223)

The question is would Mr Loeb be able to win in a Subaru? In fact would Mr Loeb be able to win in anything other than a Citroën?

**BertMk2** · 3 Jun 2008, 12:15 (Ref:2218652)

Quote:

Originally Posted by silver bullet

The question is would Mr Loeb be able to win in a Subaru? In fact would Mr Loeb be able to win in anything other than a Citroën?

All I know is that if the new Subaru continues as well as it's started we could be in for some more interesting events - I still see the title as Loebs to lose given the car/driver superiority he has but at least there's a decent scrap going on now with Hirvonen, Latvala, Solberg, Sordo and Atkinson. Just need a bit less pace from Loeb and a bit more from the Suzuki and it'll be getting good!

Knowlesy · 3 Jun 2008, 12:23 (Ref:2218665)

Yes, a very good start for the new Subaru then.

I can't help but think it will have some chronic reliability problems to come though.

garcon · 3 Jun 2008, 13:05 (Ref:2218697)

They have put it through an unprecedented test schedule to try and iron out any problems. But there's nothing quite like a couple of proper rallies to find a few new ones. The wiring loom problem Atkinson had is typical of the kind of gremlins I would expect over the next few events.

But they can be sorted - and the main thing is this car will have the pace to threaten the C4. I'm actually pretty amazed Prodrive managed to keep the 2007 Impreza as competitive as they did for so long - basic physics is against it in almost every way!

**BertMk2** · 3 Jun 2008, 13:47 (Ref:2218726)

As long as the car can challenge for outright wins then I'll be happy. Subaru is traditionally stronger on the gravel events - will the new car be a step forward on tarmac? Or will they still be off the pace?

mountainstar · 4 Jun 2008, 03:47 (Ref:2219293)

You know the driver who is doing the development on the new Subaru? Markko Martin. That is probably why the car is quick.

garcon · 5 Jun 2008, 12:46 (Ref:2220478)

That will certainly have helped. Apparently he has been outstanding as a test driver.

zac510 · 5 Jun 2008, 14:53 (Ref:2220564)

I read today in Autosport that there have been changes to the engine position to modify change the CoG and probably the polar moment.
They've known this was a problem for a long time but obviously have had to wait until this new chassis and changes occured at the core in Japan to fix it.
The rules state that engines can be tilted (off top of my head here, I did research it at one stage), but the layout of the Subaru flat engine and gearbox means that this rule can't be taken advantage almost at all, unlike transverse engines like the Ford and Citroen.
The vertical turbo was one attempt to change the vehicle's weight distribution.

**BertMk2** · 5 Jun 2008, 14:56 (Ref:2220566)

Is the new Subaru still using an H pattern gearbox? The old car was (and was the only "current" WRC to do so).

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