Acropolis – Louis Louka: “I had to watch a video of Carlos Sainz”

Were you able to prepare well for the test?

As this is not our first time in Greece, we know more or less where we are putting the wheels. However, there are still some stages that were used in 2021, such as Thiva (SS8), which we have not used. There is also a section that has not been used since 2005.

In this case, how do you work upstream?

You have to look for what is available on the internet. In this specific example, there was a dash cam video with Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya at the Acropolis 2005. It is not possible to take notes with this type of image, but it gives an overview of the profile.

When you start at the end of Rally1, do you have to anticipate the deterioration of the road? Do you use the vocabulary of rally from Kenya on this rough terrain?

During the reconnaissance, we will try to spot areas where things could happen, but there are a lot of them… It is simply impossible. There are so many embedded stones that it will not be to our advantage. Conversely, our position on the road should allow us to benefit from a swept road. The Safari is really very atypical and requires extreme terms that we should not use for the Acropolis, even if there are specific words for this rough terrain.

Have you ever discussed a goal with Grégoire?

It is rather with him that we must see this aspect. For my part, I consider that it is a test on which we are a little more on an equal footing with the other competitors given our experience. It is very difficult to predict what can happen, because it is a meeting on which a lot of things generally happen.

The Acropolis often offers high temperatures. Did you do any specific preparation?

Since I don't have a sauna at home, I didn't exercise in the high heat (laughs). I still took advantage of August to improve my physical condition and do some sport. With the series of rallies, it wasn't always easy, so I tried to sharpen up as much as possible. It's a demanding round for the machines, but also the crew. However, I think I can handle these types of circumstances quite well. We've already done long special stages in the heat like Amarante in Portugal and I came out of them feeling quite fresh, so it should be fine.

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