Subaru WRC 03 Contender

Subaru WRC - Acropolis
Solberg & Makkinen put in some impressive performances

June 08, 2003

Subaru World Rally Team?s Petter Solberg and Tommi Makinen maintained their top five positions on the leaderboard of Acropolis Rally, Greece, overnight as Markko Martin held onto first place at the end of Leg Two.

After collecting two stage wins, Solberg?s strategy for the lead was temporarily halted by a driveshaft problem, but thanks to a spirited recovery, the Norwegian is back in third.

Makinen meanwhile put in a consistent performance and ended the day fifth with every possibility of a podium finish.

52 of the original 82 competitors left Lamia parc ferme at 0600hrs yesterday morning.

Leg two, the longest of the event, comprised 148.71 competitive kilometres and eight stages (two repeated). Stages were based south east of the service park in Lamia.

Conditions were dry and hot all day. Air temperatures started at 18°C, rising to over 30°C by mid-afternoon, before dropping back to 21°C in the evening. Stages were rough and dusty.