Rally driver Claire Schönborn approaches her upcoming task in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) with anticipation, renewed vigor and a great deal of respect. From June 26 to 29, the Acropolis Rally in Greece will be a true WRC classic. The event north of Athens is also known as the “Rally of the Gods”. What sounds heavenly is extremely demanding. The rally is regarded as one of the toughest challenges on the WRC calendar: heat, gravel and scree test man and material to the limit. The third round of the season sends the field of participants in the Junior World Championship through heaven and hell – or to stay with Greek mythology: through Olympus and Hades.

Ahead of Acropolis Rally Greece, Schönborn, 25, has reshuffled the in-car line-up by recruiting Michael Wenzel, one of Germany’s most experienced co-drivers. The 49-year-old has been active in rallying since 1992. He has contested more than 20 WRC rallies, including the upcoming Junior WRC rounds –the classics in Greece and Finland as well as the season-deciding Central European Rally, an important factor for Hunsrück native Schönborn. Wenzel’s career as a co-driver includes successes such as two wins in the German Super 1600 Championship and overall victory in the ADAC Opel Rally Cup.

Quote ahead of Acropolis Rally Greece

“After we analysed and reviewed the last gravel rally in Portugal in detail, I’m thankful that Michael Wenzel is supporting me from now on with all his experience and has helped me right from the start. I’ll learn a lot from him – not only for the two upcoming WRC classics in Greece and Finland, but also in my preparation for all rallies. The stages in Greece are demanding, but the heat will also be an extreme factor physically. I’m preparing for that as well. I also devote myself studying videos of the stages every day after work to continue improving.”
Claire Schönborn

Facts and figures

The legendary Heracles had to master 12 tasks – the field of competitors in the Junior World Rally Championship faces 17 tough challenges. That’s how many special stages must be accomplished at Acropolis Rally Greece. The new edition of this classic WRC round, which was on the calendar in 1973 during the inaugural season of the global top level, begins on Thursday in Athens with a short 1.5-kilometre stage in front an expected audience of thousands. On Friday, the action takes place around Loutraki, not far from the Corinth Canal, with six special stages totalling 121.76 kilometres. On Saturday, a further 123.44 kilometres of special stages are tackled. Tyre management always plays a decisive role. The grand finale of the rally on Sunday is the famous Tarzan special stage – including the deciding Power Stage. In Greece, Schönborn will face 15 opponents in Rally3 cars, eight of whom can also score points in Junior WRC. A total of 69 teams have entered the event, including the factory teams from Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford in the top category. Information on the World Rally Championship is available on the official website www.wrc.com. Every special stage will be broadcast live on Rally.TV.