Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
F. Delecour / D. Grataloup
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Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart completed its final preparations for the 2002 Acropolis Rally today when registered crews François Delecour/Daniel Grataloup and Alister McRae/David Senior ran the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRCs for the final time before this evening’s ceremonial start in the centre of Athens.
The shakedown test, 50 kilometres north of the Adriatic Port of Itea, was however the culmination of the team’s preparation for this dusty, rough and hot event. Prior to the start of the reconnaissance on Monday, Lasse Lampi, Delecour and McRae undertook a three day test, honing the settings and checking the balance on the Lancer Evolution, the Acropolis Rally being one of two events in the season when two spare wheels are carried.
"We completed about 400 kilometres in hot and dry conditions, confirming the set-up and adjusting the ride height", commented Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart engineer, Roger Estrada. "The car is basically the same specification as Argentina, although we have found some improvements on the brakes and engine performance. It is also important to get the spare wheels as low and central as possible to keep the right balance".
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
F. Delecour / D. Grataloup
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While weather conditions in Greece have remained dry, crews encountered rain on the first day of the recce, and black clouds shrouded the top of the mountains during today’s shakedown test, making in-car temperatures cooler for the crews but threatening potentially hazardous and uncharacteristic conditions.
"Hopefully it will stay dry - I have never known rain on the Acropolis!" commented François, who is competing here for the seventh time in his career. "The car specification is pretty similar to Argentina, although we have gone harder on the shock absorbers, but I think conditions are not so rough this year; there are some very very nice stages".
Team-mate Alister McRae, who is competing here for the fourth time, confirmed Delecour’s comments.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
A. McRae / D. Senior
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"It’s not as rough, but I don’t suppose we’ll be saying the same thing second time through the stages. We’ve found a good set-up for the harder and rocky stages but tyre wear is always an issue here. Michelin’s GW is working well and we have a new harder compound which should make durability and grip better", he added.
Adding to their comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director John Easton said: "We are happy with the way the test went and have made a small step with engine and brake performance. We have concentrated on reliability and hopefully can look forward to a good event".
The 49th Acropolis Rally starts tonight at 20:00 hrs (local) at the famous Zappion Palace in the centre of Athens, however the action begins in earnest on Friday morning as the crews tackle six stages and 136.35 kilometres of competition.
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