Kuipers well prepared for Acropolis debut

Dennis Kuipers will be taking no chances when he contests the Acropolis Rally for the first time this week.

The 25-year-old skipped the previous round in Argentina but has done his utmost to ensure he will be fully fit for the gruelling Greek stages during the five-week break since his last WRC appearance in Sardinia by going on long-distance bike rides.

His FERM Power Tools World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC, which is run by the British M-Sport organisation, has also undergone a fitness test of its own. To help protect against the rough roads around the event base in Loutraki, Kuipers’ Fiesta has been fitted with additional underbody protection, including protective plates under the engine and rear differential and a mesh cage around the centre axle. The driveshafts and shock absorbers have also been enforced with steel tubing.

Kuipers, currently 17th in the world championship standings, said: “I trained a lot on my race bike and my mountain bike so I’m in good shape. The Acropolis is a combination of tough stages and high temperatures. There are some long stages, which require optimum concentration so you need to be fit.”

The Dutchman continued: “A lot will happen during this rally. The gravel roads are strewn with large stones, so the car is going to have a rough time. The key will be to adapt our speed to the circumstances. We want to hold on the good form after Sardinia and will plan day by day.”

Co-driver Frederic Miclotte, from Belgium, added: “We want to be on pace as soon as possible. But we should not overdo it. This is our first appearance in Greece and I expect a fair amount of retirements. Our goal is to be in top 10. That would be a great achievement.”

The FERM Power Tools World Rally Team will run a second Fiesta RS WRC in Greece for Kuipers’ father, Rene. Kuipers Sr has tackled several rallies in the Super 2000 version of the Fiesta but the Acropolis Rally will mark his first competitive outing in the World Rally Car equivalent.