Loeb's free figures

Before departure, the phrase runs through everyone’s heads, starting with Daniel Elena, the most circumspect: “ To have a chance of winning, you will first have to survive the terrible day of Saturday. » After years of absence, the Acropolis returns to the Peloponnese where, once, the most grueling night of rally was happening on the road. Nowadays, crews fear above all the heat and above all, the hardness of a coating capable of overcoming the most resistant rubber.

On Friday, a long loop leading from Loutraki to Itea allows the Hellenic classic to reconnect with another part of its history, but the favorites are observed. Alone, Latvala made a mistake by trying to take the lead. For the others, serious things begin the next day, with the section, new for everyone, from Klenia-Mycenae (SS7). Right in the middle of 17,25 km, a medium downhill left serves as preparation for a right in a bowl. Two hundred meters earlier, a long, fast right precedes a braked left for a tight right. The place is just as interesting, but goes straight to the bottom.

The key ring

Hirvonen leads the way. The Finn uses the skilfully maintained drift on the left as a ?call? to place your Focus in the right direction.
The oversteer thus induced is proportioned to the acceleration. Sordo prevents the slide from gaining momentum on the left, hits the rope early on the right and turns the C4 while accelerating hard. It?s less twirling, but just as effective. Here is Loeb. The sound of the Citroën's exhaust announces its imminent arrival. Suddenly, behind the embankment, there is a sharp noise. Another. Then nothing. One hundred meters to run. The C4 WRC is immobilized, dislocated, in the meadow below. At the front right, the shock absorber is passed through the hull.

Find the full article in AUTOhebdo N°1705, on newsstands June 17