Nasser Snatches Lead on Day’s Final Stage

Hotter temperatures prevailed on the second day of the Acropolis Rally, with more rocks and boulders on the stages catching out drivers.

Leading among the Impreza-equipped runners, Nasser Al Attiyah had an event-filled Day two, as illustrated by this exchange after the opening stage: “The front wheel’s completely bent after we touched some big rocks. We’ll fix the front, but don’t have the parts for the rear.” At lunchtime: “We have a new suspension setting for the really rough places this afternoon. We’ll set the ride height a little higher because the car’s been bottoming-out in places. Nasser took a stage win when it mattered most, on the final test of the day which made him rally leader. “I couldn’t believe the car came through that last stage without any damage. We put a tougher grade of suspension on the car for the afternoon, and I was amazed by how much punishment it was able to absorb. The car’s fantastic.”
Toshi ran steadily in fourth place throughout the day. Toshi had a bent front suspension on the final stage, but prior to that also suffered a puncture on SS10: “I think I was a bit unlucky to get a puncture on SS10, it definitely lost us time.” Despite woes on the final stage, the Japanese held onto fourth place going into the final day.

Patrik Flodin: “I’m really trying to set some decent stage times, but it looks impossible at the moment. The stages are really rough and the car was too soft.” On SS9 a broken front left driveshaft caused delays for the Swede. Then on SS12 he had another transmission problem. He stays in 8th place after end of the day.

STI GpN Project General Manager George Donaldson:
“Somewhat predictably, Acropolis Rally has proved to be a tough test that history always says it is, and some drivers struggle to believe. Today’s been no exception. It’s brilliant to see Nasser at the front, doing an incredible job. Toshi’s been a bit unlucky today but has been keeping totally in touch with Nasser except for the problems he experienced on the phenomenally rough terrain that this rally gives us. Patrik unfortunately fell foul of a broken driveshaft this morning, and it seems that the spare gearbox installed at lunchtime has developed a problem, unbelievably unlucky for him. He’s not really put a foot wrong with his driving on this rally, not damaging the car at any time. And he’s shown on occasion that he’s well up for the challenge.
Spyros and Gianluca are sparring it out a little further back. Spyros had a power steering problem in the morning, Linari suffering only a couple of bent rims. Unfortunately we lost Gabor Mayer, who rolled into retirement.”