12.6.2002
Three Opel Corsa contest the Acropolis Rally for the first time

The Opel Corsa Super 1600 is making its first marks in rallying: No less than three of the 215 hp strong Corsa will be contesting the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held from June 14 - 16 as the third of six rounds in the Junior World Rally Championship.

The Opel Corsa Super 1600 is making its first marks in rallying at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held from June 14 - 16 as the third of six rounds in the Junior World Rally Championship. The potential of the rally version of the Corsa, homologated since January 1, 2002, was impressively underscored by Christoph Schleimer (Germany) and co-driver Michael Wenzel (Germany) winning the Rallye Thüringen at the first weekend in June, which marked the fourth round of the German Rally Championship (DRM) and the sixth rallying success of the Corsa so far.

In the Junior WRC, which is strictly reserved to so-called Super 1600 cars and staged in six rounds as part of the Rally World Championship in Monaco, Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, in addition to the British Niall McShea, Norwegian driver Martin Stenshorne is now going to bank on the rally Corsa. The UK-based Palmer Ltd. team has purchased the Corsa contested by Christoph Schleimer in the first three DRM rounds for 26-year-old Stenshorne and his British co-driver Clive Jenkins (36).

"Driving the first few kilometers immediately gave me a very good impression of the Corsa," said Stenshorne. I am excited about contesting it for the first time, even though the Acropolis Rally, being as grueling as it is, may not necessarily be seen as setting the benchmark."

In two days of testing last week, Martin Stenshorne and Niall McShea, who is sharing the cockpit of a rally Corsa entered by Opel's development partner RML (Ray Mallock Ltd.) with fellow countryman Michael Orr (28), specifically prepared for the "Acropolis," which covers a total of 1,197.85 kilometers, with 16 special stages (391.50 km) counting toward the score. "You have to use a different approach with the Acropolis Rally than with the other rallies, otherwise you won't make it to the finish line," said Niall McShea, who gained rallying experience in Greece in the previous season. "The special stages are extremely tough. The most crucial factor is finding a way across the tests that does the least amount of damage to the vehicle. In addition, the high temperatures take their toll on both the drivers and the cars."

Robert Kübel, responsible project manager with Opel Performance Center (OPC): "We have reinforced major components and optimized the cooling system in order to successfully pull through the Acropolis Rally. The high failure rate last year, especially in the Super 1600 class, clearly illustrates that drivers have to use their brains as well as making every effort to reduce material stress, which includes avoidance of dreadful tire damage."

In addition to McShea/Orr and Stenshorne/Jenkins, the Greek driver Haris Kaltsounis and co-driver Kostas Exarhos will be starting in an Opel Corsa Super 1600. Kaltsounis, however, who owns the largest Opel dealership in Greece and for many years has been successfully contesting Opel cars in rallying, has not registered for the Junior WRC. The Junior WRC has cars of eight different makes competing against each other, with 40 teams in this class starting in the Acropolis Rally. Opel's partner RML is providing in-depth assistance to all three Corsa teams, including engineering support and extensive supply of spare parts.
According to Opel motorsport boss Volker Strycek, "the Corsa project, which has only been launched recently, is making favorable progress. Initial successes have confirmed the potential of the rally Corsa, generating a rising interest by teams and potential buyers."