We <I>need</I> points, admits Schwarz.

by Rob Wilkins.

Skoda team leader, Armin Schwarz has said that he is hopeful he might be able to finish in fifth this weekend on the Acropolis Rally.

Speaking to Crash.net Radio he added that they could do with some good points, after a tough start to the season. To date the Czech manufacturer has scored 8 points, while nearest rivals, Mitsubishi have notched up 30.

"There have been some circumstances which we really didn't need [this year]," he said, when asked about their form in the previous events.

"I think, at the moment, it is not really... the current situation is, for sure, not where the car is. But certain things haven't come together - and, for that, it didn't look so good until now. I think we could have had a few good points in Sardinia, in Cyprus and in Turkey, but we couldn't get it to the finish.

"Like always though we need to get points. I would hope we are able to fight for maybe fifth to sixth to seventh places on our own performance [this weekend] - and get it to the end."

As for the event itself, the German is a big fan even if he has been forced out the last two years in a row.

"I look forward all year to the Acropolis Rally," he added in Skoda's pre-event preview. "It is traditionally fast and rough and it is one of my favourite events. You need a strong and reliable car to cope with the abrasive surface that is very hard on tyres and suspension."