Published at 14:49, Friday, 12 June 2009

In this regular blog with Airwaves Pro Matthew Wilson, we caught up with him ahead of The Acropolis Rally of Greece, the seventh round of the World Rally Championship, to get his thoughts on the rally ahead and what he has been up to since Sardinia.

Wrigley's Airwaves . . . sponsor of Matthew Wilson

Photos: Matthew Wilson: A season in pictures

Last entry: A rally of attrition and I'm looking forward to a top six finish

“It hasn’t been too long since the last rally out in Sardinia and competing on the Italian Island is actually very good preparation for Greece because the conditions are similar. Since Sardinia I’ve been doing the usual amount of training and warm weather preparation.

“Unusually for me I did some testing in the new Fiesta R2s, the new Fords that are going to replace the older championship models. They are actually brilliant to drive, we had no real problems with them and we covered 415 kilometres on tarmac so that is very encouraging.

“It’s a busy period in the WRC calendar at the moment as we have Poland straight after the Acropolis rally so we have to really think of it as a double header and a chance to grab as many points as possible.

“Greece is probably the roughest event on the calendar and the closest you could come to the old style endurance rallies we used to compete in.

"It is so hot over here that tyre wear is a major concern. Harsh breaking will not do us any favours, so it is good to ease the car into the stages and then ride the bumps and corners as best as you can. We will be running the car slightly higher off the ground to cater for all the bigger boulders on the road and to ensure nothing gets caught underneath. We’ll also re-inforce the underneath just to be sure.

“From a driver's point of view I just have to make sure I stay mentally alert and sharp despite the heat, take onboard as much fluid as possible and stay out of the sun if possible. It won’t be easy on Friday as there is a remote service point which will mean we will carry extra equipment and Scott and I will have to muck in and help out.

“If we can get back to the speed and consistency we had in Portugal and Argentina then we will be in a good position come the last day of the rally. I think it really is a case of being in and amongst it until the last day.

“The final few stages are set up almost as a bit of a sprint finish so if we are still in the running then anything can happen come the finish line! I think this will favour us if we stay in the hunt, we can then put the hammer down, so to speak, on the final day and really push for the line.

“This rally will be no different in terms of who I will be battling against in the pack. The entry list is almost identical to Sardinia so Sebastien Ogier and I will be close, but it is just a question of focussing on me and listening to Scott. I am confident we can do well and I am still confident of a podium before 25th October and the end of the WRC season!”

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