Hirvonen wins in Greece as Ford claims landmark victory

By Mark Wilford

GREECE - Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen win the Acropolis Rally of Greece to secure Ford's 70th world rally victory.

The Finns won this seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the toughest encounter in the 12-event series, in their Focus RS World Rally Car.  BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team colleagues Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were third in another Focus RS WRC to secure maximum points in the Manufacturers' series for the Blue Oval.

Between them Hirvonen and Latvala led from start to finish of the three-day event to secure Ford's seventh win in 10 seasons in Greece.  It was also the 40th world rally win for M-Sport, Ford's partner in the WRC and the British-based preparation company which runs the programme.

The result, the team's second consecutive victory following Latvala's success in Italy last month, rejuvenated its challenge in both championships.  Ford is now just 15 points from the lead in the Manufacturers' standings and second-placed Hirvonen has closed the gap in the Drivers' series to just seven points.

Rock-strewn and abrasive gravel roads west of Athens and blistering temperatures, which topped 36ºC, ensured this year's event lived up to its gruelling reputation.  It was a rally of attrition and a long string of frontrunners fell by the wayside during the 15 speed tests covering 341.01km (two tests were cancelled).  However, neither Focus missed a beat and both drivers looked after their cars and Pirelli's Scorpion tyres superbly, mixing pace with caution in the tough conditions.