Schwarz heads the Skoda challengers.

Skoda crews Armin Schwarz/Manfred Hiemer and Bruno Thiry/Stephane Prevot have successfully navigated their Octavia World Rally Cars through the second leg of the car-breaking 48th Acropolis Rally.

Although today's conditions were less rough than Friday's - with driver's enjoying slightly cooler temperatures and smoother roads - the day's seven special stages nonetheless lived up to the Acropolis Rally's reputation as a minefield of jagged rocks and unruly gravel roads. 14 cars retired before the day was through.

The day's seven special stages totalled 117.5km, three of them worn down by previous use, four of them virgin terrain. The day opened with Pavliani, which again led drivers up the technical heights of Mount Iti and back down to its more hospitable foot. The next six stages featured the brief but fast Stiri stage, and finished with the second drive of the day on the 19km Karoutes stage.

The two Octavia WRC's both improved their standings during the second leg, with Germans Armin Schwarz and Manfred Hiemer ending the day at 9th place overall, trailing Ford's Colin McRae by 3 minutes and 42 seconds. The crew also brought their Octavia WRC into the top seven in the Manufacturers Championship, just one position shy of earning a point for Skoda. Belgians Bruno Thiry and Stephane Prevot powered their way into 13th place from 15th, steadily improving their performance throughout the day.

"The car worked perfectly," beamed 37 year-old Armin Schwarz as he pulled into the service station after finishing the leg. "Tyres were the only real problem because we chose the wrong compound and by the end of the day the tyres had excessive wear. I'm happy with our performance and believe tomorrow we can do even better," said the always optimistic Skoda driver.

Bruno Thiry, of the other Octavia WRC, said he felt more confident by the end of the day. "I am very happy with no particular problems to report" he commented upon completing special stage 13. This newfound comfort was much deserved for his earlier efforts to fine-tune his set-up. "Prior to the 12th stage we changed the software of the central differential," said the Belgian. "This improved the handling of the car and only a slight over-steering problem remained. We hope to go into tomorrow as strong as we came out of today."

There was no change in the standings of the three leading cars, all of whom ended the second leg with only 15 seconds difference between them. Among the day's casualties were two of the top competitors, Kenneth Eriksson of Hyundai and Markko Martin of Subaru.

The 132km long final leg of the 2001 Acropolis Rally begins tomorrow morning at Amfiklia, and will take drivers through the medieval monasteries of Elatia - Rengini and back to the suspension crushing jumps of Livadia. Both Skoda Octavia WRC crews are confident that they will shine in the final leg, and given the fate of some of their less lucky competitors on the rocks of Greece, are grateful for the chance to try.