Dennis Kuipers and Frederic Miclotte return to the FIA World Rally Championship after a short break. The FERM World Rally Team will start the second half of the season with an absolute classic: the Acropolis Rally. The Dutch-Belgian duo can hardly wait to race stages again.
“It was difficult waiting for so long”, says Kuipers who pilots a Ford Fiesta RS WRC. After the WRC event in Sardinia a five week break followed without any rallying as Argentina was not on the calendar. “I trained a lot on my race-bike and my mountain bike so I’m in good shape.”
The difficult circumstances of the famous rally in Greece require excellent fitness. “The Acropolis is a combination of tough stages and high temperatures. There are some long stages which require optimum concentration. ”
A good example is the second stage of the rally. Special Stage Elatia with a length of 39.1 km, a real challenge. It’s one of the 18 stages in this year’s Acropolis Rally. After one year absence, the classic event is back on the WRC calendar.
“A lot will happen during this rally,” predicts Dennis Kuipers. “The gravel roads are strewn with large stones, so the car is going to have a rough time. The key will be to adapt our speed to the circumstances. We want to hold on the good form after Sardinia and will plan day by day. ”
Navigator Frederic Miclotte points out the importance of finding a good rhythm the first day. “We want to be on pace as soon as possible. But we should not overdo, this is our first appearance in Greece. I expect a fair amount of retirements. Our goal is to be in top 10. That would be a great achievement. ”
For Dennis Kuipers this Acropolis Rally is extra special because his father René Kuipers will be in an identical Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the first time. “So I have to watch out “, says Dennis with a smile.
To safeguard the Ford Fiesta RS WRC against the harsh conditions, M-Sport designed a special protection package. The Acropolis is notorious for the large stones that lie littered the gravel roads. The FERM rally car comes with additional protection plates under the engine and the rear differential. A mesh cage protects the central axle, while the drive shafts and shock absorbers are fitted with steel tubes. Optimal protection is certainly required the first day of the rally, because only a remote service is planned.
The Acropolis Rally starts Thursday, June 16 with a ceremonial start at the Acropolis. Friday morning the first stage has a go and the final Power Stage is scheduled Sunday, June 19 at 14.11 hours.