World Rally Championship

Rally Acropolis preview (2009x23)

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First run in 1953, the Greek event is one of the longest-standing in world rallying. The mix of rough, twisty mountain stages, blistering heat and choking dust makes the Acropolis Rally of Greece the toughest on the WRC calendar. Cars have to be built extra-sturdy to cope with the surprisingly fast, but rock-strewn stages, while drivers and co-drivers have to be at peak physical fitness to cope with the pounding terrain and temperatures in the cockpit which can top 50 degrees Celsius. The twisty, boulder-filled stages place huge demands on engine and cockpit cooling, as natural airflow is limited by the slow cornering speeds. The suspension and underside of the car, however, take a huge pounding from the rocks hurled up by the car and tyre wear can be a big issue. You need brains to win here, as much as brawn.