Loeb takes early Acropolis lead

Loeb was two seconds faster than the rest of the field over the 2.8-km Olympic Stadium Superspecial this afternoon, held before the rally proper begins tomorrow.

The Frenchman, who has won the last five rallies, could equal Carlos Sainz's record for all-time WRC victories should he win this weekend.

He currently lies joint second with Colin McRae thanks to 25 career victories, but an Acropolis victory would draw him level at the top of the list with Sainz.

Loeb is trying to put all thoughts of the achieving the record behind him this weekend however.

"We had a lot to do in the recce, so I just concentrate on my rally," he said. "Sure, I know about the record, but I'm sure it won't be easy to win. There will be a big race between some drivers and after that maybe I will count.

"It's the most interesting record for me, but no, I try to stay concentrated and think to my race."

Ford's Marcus Gronholm was second quickest through the stage and is expected to be in contention for the lead when the event moves to the dusty, gravely Greek roads tomorrow.

"That was a fun start to the rally," he said. "It's good entertainment for the spectators and I hope they enjoyed the show. It was difficult driving on gravel tyres on an asphalt track and I almost stalled the engine at the start but it turned out OK."

Gronholm's teammate Mikko Hirvonen was third quickest, 2.8 seconds slower than Loeb.

Belgian Francois Duval was the leading privateer with the fourth quickest time, 0.6 seconds slower than Hirvonen. Dani Sordo and Chris Atkinson rounded out the top six.

Pos  Driver        Car            Time  
 1.  Loeb          Citroen        2:21.4
 2.  Gronholm      Ford           2:23.4 +  02.0
 3.  Hirvonen      Ford           2:24.2 +  02.8
 4.  Duval         Skoda          2:24.8 +  03.4
 5.  Sordo         Citroen        2:25.4 +  04.0
 6.  Atkinson      Subaru         2:26.2 +  04.8
 8.  Kopecky       Skoda          2:26.4 +  05.0
 7.  Solberg       Peugeot        2:26.4 +  05.0
 9.  Gardemeister  Citroen        2:27.5 +  06.1
10.  Pons          Citroen        2:28.0 +  06.6
11.  Stohl         Peugeot        2:28.1 +  06.7
12.  Katajamaki    Ford           2:28.3 +  06.9
13.  Solberg       Subaru         2:28.6 +  07.2
14.  Aigner        Skoda          2:29.1 +  07.7
15.  Valimaki      Mitsubishi     2:29.3 +  07.9