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This is an archive article published on June 4, 1997
Makinen looking for tenth win
Europe's toughest rally will again be run in Greece. The Acropolis Rally is the eighth round in the 14-event series this year. Castrol driv...
June 4, 1997 12:00 AM IST
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2 min read
Europe8217;s toughest rally will again be run in Greece. The Acropolis Rally is the eighth round in the 14-event series this year. Castrol drivers will be represented in all the world championship categories.
At the Acropolis, efficient cooling of the cars and durability of the tyres are essential requirements of success. Unusually heavy rains in late February rendered many tracks impassable because of mud and landslides. And since it was immediately followed by a warm, dry spell, even rougher conditions are expected this year.
This will be World champion Tommi Makinen8217;s 50th appearance on a full championship rally. This year, he is again leading the series. 8220;My dream is to win score my tenth world rally victory and have a double celebration,8221; he said.
Although the Mitsubishi team itself has extensive experience of this event, their drivers do not. Makinen has only been here twice before, Richard Burns not even once.
Makinen may be only six points ahead of Colin McRae in the drivers8217; series, but he is cautiously confident of his success. Subaru remains manufacturers8217; championship leader and have again entered McRae and Kenneth Eriksson in world rally cars.
Toyota Castrol Team has entered two Celica GT-Fours, in conjunction with the Marlboro-supported Belgium team for Freddy Loix and a late entry for the Castrol Sweden team of Thomas Radstrom. Loix has competed in the Acropolis twice and was the highest-placed non-championship driver last year.
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