South African teen and national rally championship competitor with the Sasolracing Volkswagen team Henk Lategan will add to his résumé the Acropolis Rally in Greece, after he competes in the third round of the European Rally Championship this coming weekend.
The 19-year old left for Europe last week, even though the rally only starts on Friday. The aim of this is for Lategan to spend time testing with the Baumschlager Rallye and Race team in Austria – likely in conditions that will mirror what the young South African is to experience in the Hellenic Republic.
“The Acropolis Rally takes place on both gravel and tar. There is a very strong entry list and I’m expecting it will be a tough weekend, not just facing the top drivers and teams there, but also the unfamiliar stages,” says Lategan.
Lategan will be teamed up with German co-driver Klaus Wicha, who has under his belt three decades of motorsport experience. The pair will be at the helm of Skoda Fabia S2000, in the popular RC2 category.
“Competing in Europe can be very different to competing here in South Africa,” says Lategan. “The road surfaces, the stage layouts and also the language can often be obstacles that need to be overcome. It certainly adds a different dimension to competing there,” Lategan added.
Traditionally, the Acropolis Rally is known as one of the tougher events on the rallying calendar. Characterised by lots of dust and rocky terrain, the rally will be a monumental test for Lategan.
Rally Acropolis starts and Friday, 28 March and ends on Sunday, 30 March.
