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Suzuki SX4 WRC gets underway in Greece
 Suzuki World Rally Team drivers Toni Gardemeister and P-G Andersson crossed the start ramp of the BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece at one of the world's most historic sites: the Parthenon this evening. Built in the fifth century, the towering monument was constructed by a grateful community for Athens' protector: the Greek goddess Athena. Fittingly, Athena was the goddess of heroic endeavour - few modern sports command as much heroic endeavour as the World Rally Championship.
With one of the season's most memorable photographs in the bag, Gardemeister and Andersson will now focus their attentions on one of the most gruelling events on the calendar. The Acropolis Rally has long had a feared reputation for being a car-breaker - and given the scorching temperatures which greeted crews at the pre-event shakedown stage this morning, this year's edition of the Acropolis will be as tough as any in the event's 55-year history.
Running further back on the road (Gardemeister 12th; Andersson 14th) will help the two Suzuki SX4 WRC drivers on the opening day. The hot dry conditions, combined with the rock-hard road surface, should ensure those at the front of the field will face the worst of the conditions, sweeping the loose gravel off the road to uncover the grippier driving line beneath. Both Gardemeister and Andersson will be aiming to make the most of their favourable start places on six of tomorrow's seven stages. The final stage of day is a superspecial close to the service park in Tatoi, where that advantage is negated on the dirt of the spectator-pleasing test just north of Athens.
 Car news - Suzuki SX4 WRC n.11 (Gardemeister), n.12 (Andersson):
The two Suzuki SX4 WRCs of Toni Gardemeister and P-G Andersson both completed the morning's shakedown test without any major incidents. Gardemeister's car suffered a minor transmission issue, but has been sorted out and both cars were in fine fettle when they took to the start at the Acropolis.
Both cars will start the first stage tomorrow morning in a similar set-up as they finished the last round in Sardinia on Rally d'Italia.
Driver news:
Toni Gardemeister: "Once again we come to a rally where I am sure we could take points if we can have a clean run. This rally can be very cruel to you - there are plenty of big rocks waiting. The first thing you have to do is to make sure that you are at the finish. I wouldn't say the route for this year's rally is the roughest I have ever seen, but the sections where it is rough are probably longer than I have ever seen. In some places, the big rocks go for many kilometers - it will be very tough for the car and the tyres. We had some small gearbox problem on the shakedown this morning, but the team is confident it knows what it is. Apart from the gearbox problem, the car felt nice this morning. Now we just want a clean run."
P-G Andersson: "I was very happy with the shakedown. When I came back to service, after we had finished our second run at the stage, we were fastest. That's very encouraging for the car, the team and myself. We haven't changed the car since Sardinia, but the conditions on the shakedown road this morning were really consistent - I think that's what has helped us. The key to this rally is going to be in the approach which is taken. If you go flat-out then, of course, you are going to hit trouble. There will be a rock somewhere to give you a puncture or to take a wheel off. You have to be sensible here and that will be our approach. Yes, there will be places to push really hard, but where we are not sure, we will come off the throttle and think about the car and getting it to the finish."
Team news:
Paul Wilding, Suzuki World Rally Team manager: "Everybody involved in the World Rally Championship knows about the Acropolis Rally and its incredibly tough reputation. It's a well-earned reputation, this can be a very difficult rally. The drivers know that and they know which is the best way to get to the finish. At the same time, we have seen the SX4 WRC coming on very well in the last few rallies - particularly in Jordan and Sardinia we saw what the car would be capable of in some of the rougher conditions. It's not just the state of the road which focuses the attention on this event, either, we will also see some extremely hot ambient temperatures, which will give both the car and the drivers a very solid work out in the next three days."
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