Suzuki's JWRC Cars On Track For The Acropolis
Published: 12th May 2003
The Acropolis, the third round in this year's JWRC, is characterised by the roughest roads and tracks, making strength and reliability every bit as important as outright speed.
The test took place at Chateau Lastours in the South of France on some of the roughest gravel roads in Europe. Drivers Daniel Carlsson, Urmo Aava, Salvador Canellas and Ville-Pertti Teuronen concentrated on suspension and handling to refine and fine-tune the Ignis for the treacherous boulders of Greece.
The test cars ran reliably throughout and the drivers were delighted with the results with all expecting to continue their promising run of form so far this year in Monte Carlo and Turkey in the Acropolis.
The Suzuki Teams were already confident about the strength and reliability of the Ignis after its excellent performance on the rough roads of Turkey in March but the Chateau Lastours test has helped to improve the car still further, according to Team Manager Risto Laine, with the Team out for revenge in Greece after a triple retirement on the opening day of the same event last year.
"Compared to last year we have now have a completely different car and have built on its strengths and identified and rectified its weaknesses" he says.
The team is now focussed on the build and final preparation of
the four Acropolis Rally cars at its impressive new base in Milton
Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The drivers will have a final opportunity
to verify their settings at the Acropolis shakedown on Thursday,
June 5.
