Dani Oliveira heads to Greece for another tough challenge 18.05.2012: The Brazilian driver arrives to the Rally of the Gods for the second time. Difficulty increases in a longer and tougher event this year.

The Brazilian driver arrives to the Rally of the Gods for the second time. Difficulty increases in a longer and tougher event this year.


After the endurance experience in Argentina the Brazil WRT pair Daniel Oliveira and Carlos Magalhaes is ready for another gruelling challenge in the unmerciful land of the Gods in Greece, the scenery of the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship.


The Acropolis Rally (24th-27th May) is classical yet mythical as the country is. This event is well-known for being one of the most troublesome rounds in the WRC calendar, an event where Oliveira was present for the first time last year.


This time on board the Ford Fiesta RS WRC serviced and managed by Stohl Racing, the BWRT crew members will have to deal once again with high temperatures, rocky surfaces, undulating roads and dust, some of the outstanding features of this rally.


"It's a very tough rally which reminds me of Argentina's round because of the way in which you have to handle your pace. Surprises are often expected and you have to be fully concentrated so as not to make mistakes" said Oliveira.


The 26-year old Brazilian driver has already scored 10 Manufacturer's points in Portugal, while he showed great improvements in his pace in the marathon Rally Argentina. "Arriving from such an extensive rally like Argentina will help a lot. It was an excellent event and Rally of Greece won't be different from that" stated Daniel. "The issue will be to find a pace which will enable us to be fast enough without damaging the car. Luck will also be decisive" he added.


The event will have its base for third consecutive year in the city of Loutraki, on the East coast of the Gulf of Corinth, in the outskirts of the Greek capital Athens. The Ceremonial start of the event will take place on Thursday 24 May in front of the "Zappion" and immediately after this, the drivers must tackle a 25-kilometre stage.Â


"Kineta" opening speed test hasn't been run since 2006 but this won't be the only comeback for this new edition of the event. On Friday, Oliveira will have the opportunity to run thr ough some of the most classic stages in Greece raced for the last time back in 2009, like "Bauxites" and "Drossohori".


"There are two new stages while the others are the same we ran in 2011 or with minor alterations of sections used in 2009" explained Carlos Magalhaes. "We expect high temperatures and almost 12 hours of work every day since it takes you a lot of time to complete each loop of stages. As for the approach to the stages, we will have to determine which are the best ones to speed up and which are the ones in which we have to be cautious".


The pre-rally activities start with the recce of the stages next Monday until Wednesday. The free practice runs and the qualifying stage will take place on Thursday morning in a 6.20-kilometre stage near Loutraki. The rally will kick off with the ceremonial start at 5pm.



Acropolis Rally of Greece

Date: 24 - 27 May.
Round: 6 of 13

Based: Loutraki
Surface: Gravel.

Total distance: 1661.39km (competitive 409.47km, liaison 1251,92km).
Number of stages: 22.
Longest stage: 25.24km (SS 1 Kineta).
Permanent Service Park: Loutraki.
Ceremonial Start: Thursday 24 May. Zappion at 17:00


Day 1: Thursday 24 May. Cars starting SS 1 at 18:28 (25.24km).
Day 2: Friday 25 May. Cars starting SS 2 at 06:53 (169.12km).
Day 3: Saturday 26 May. Cars starting SS 10 at 08:38 (149.56km).
Day 4: Sunday 27 May. Cars starting SS 18 at 09:14 (65.55km).
Finish: Sunday 27 May. Casino Loutraki.


Miguel Mattos, Brazil WRT  photos