Acropolis Rally, High Stress for Tyres throughout the Weekend

The most demanding Acropolis Rally of the past four years. That was the initial comment from Pirelli engineers after the recce of the 15 special stages of this tenth round of the WRC season.

Backing up that first assessment, these are the facts that emerged from the analysis carried out by the Pirelli experts:

• Looser surfaces than usual because of a large amount of large and sharp loose stones, carrying a constant level 4 to 5 threat of punctures, which is the highest of the season
• Very high vertical loads due to the presence of drops created by stones embedded in the ground and deep ruts created by rainwater
• Abrasive surfaces in almost all sections of all the special stages and many bed rocks that lead to a very high risk of tyre wear, especially on the second day which features both the longest stage of the weekend (the 28.67 kilometres of Rengini) as well as two passes through the second longest (SS9-11, Aghii Theodori, 25.87 kilometres)

Furthermore, the forecast is for dry weather throughout, with constantly high temperatures. In previous years a combination of rain and stages cancelled due to wildfires led to shorter sections.

Given these conditions, it is likely that the crews will always choose the hard compound KX WRC HB (the prime for this event), although in some cases the possibility cannot be ruled out that strategies might also lead to the use of the soft compound in the mornings of Friday and Sunday, but always in combination with the prime.

Here is a complete analysis of the special stages.