One of the world’s most demanding and unforgiving rallies is back in the big time this weekend, as the Acropolis Rally makes its much-anticipated return to the World Rally Championship schedule.
There’s fewer stages than we’ve been used to on standard events this year – but that’s fitting as this is no ordinary rally. Of the 11 unique stages that contribute to the 181.56 miles of competitive stage running, only three are repeated in full, though the Tarzan test that doubles as the powerstage is run in two different lengths.
The roads are predicted to be smoother than expected, but the organizer has already promised the same ‘Acropolis Rally of Gods’ challenge experienced in the past. Add in the fact that the weather has also hampered the preparations of the crews on recce, and we should be in for a classic.
Here are the key points to be aware of as the WRC returns to Greece.
Leading entries
1 Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Toyota Yaris WRC)
33 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota Yaris WRC)
11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
69 Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota Yaris WRC)
8 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
44 Gus Greensmith/Chris Patterson (Ford Fiesta WRC)
6 Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
16 Adrien Fourmaux/Renaud Jamoul (Ford Fiesta WRC)
7 Pierre-Louis Loubet/Florian Haut-Labourdette (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
9 Jourdan Serderidis/Frédéric Miclotte (Ford Fiesta WRC)
Acropolis Rally entry breakdown
Total 51 crews
10 Priority 1 crews
9 Priority 2 crews (WRC2)
17 Priority 3 crews (WRC3)
15 non-priority crews
Acropolis Rally itinerary
Thursday September 9
Shakedown (2.64 miles) 0801
SS1 Athens Stage (0.61 miles) 1808
Friday September 10
SS2 Aghii Theodori 1 (10.90 miles) 1018
SS3 Loutraki (12.05 miles) 1111
SS4 Aghii Theodori 2 (10.90 miles) 1324
SS5 Thiva (14.46 miles) 1547
SS6 Elatia (7.24 miles) 1740
Saturday September 11
SS7 Pavliani 1 (15.07 miles) 0832
SS8 Gravia (15.42 miles) 0957
SS9 Bauxites (14.27 miles) 1152
SS10 Eleftherohori 1 (11.27 miles) 1308
SS11 Pavliani 2 (15.07 miles) 1626
SS12 Eleftherohori 2 (11.27 miles) 1808
Sunday September 12
SS13 Tarzan 1 (14.52 miles) 0808
SS14 Pyrgos (20.63 miles) 0951
SS15 Tarzan 2 (7.88 miles) 1318
