Citroen fast on loose stuff in Greek test

Citroen regular Philippe Bugalski and gravel expert Thomas Radstrom completed an encouraging test approximately 200km from Athens in preparation for the Xsara's next WRC outing on the Greek event. The French team is competing in a reduced programme in 2001, and a half-season in 2002.

The brace of Xsaras, driven by Bugalski and Jesus Puras, were untouchable on the asphalt roads of the Catalunya Rally and looked set to score a convincing one-two before falling foul to a time penalty and a faulty fuel pump respectively. The French car has yet to prove itself on any surface other than asphalt, but Bugalski was suitably encouraged in Greece.

"The Xsara is going very quickly on gravel now," he said. "My point of view is that the car is as good on gravel as it is on asphalt. The car seems good enough to win but the only question mark will be my lack of experience on gravel. However, the Xsara gives you a lot of confidence."

Bugalski last drove a four-wheel drive car on a loose-surface World Rally Championship event in Finland in 1992 when he finished ninth. The Frenchman was pleased with the progress made over the course of the four-day test, but aired a note of caution.

"We tested a lot of different things, so the set up is good," he said. "However, we do not have a point of reference against the opposition yet."

The Citroen team will have to wait until June 14-17 for the Acropolis Rally, but before that rounds five and six of the championship take place in Argentina and Cyprus.