Acropolis Rally Greece will remain a round of the World Rally Championship for a further two years after the event extended its deal with WRC Promoter to 2025.
The Acropolis was part of the original WRC calendar back in 1973 and as such is one of the most famous rallies in the world – known for its sweltering heat and punishing stages for both man and machine.
But it dropped off the calendar in 2014, instead forming part of the European Rally Championship for a few years, before it returned in 2021.
However Greece will remain a stop on the WRC’s global tour until at least 2025 following Thursday’s announcement that its deal had been extended.
WRC Promoter event director Simon Larkin said: “This agreement secures Greece’s place in the FIA World Rally Championship for the next two years and protects the future of what is undeniably one of the most famous rallies in the world.
“The Acropolis has a rich heritage in WRC, plus some of the most passionate fans around – evidenced by the 65,000 who turned out in the Athens Olympic Stadium last year. We look forward to continuing that legacy in Greece over the coming seasons.”
Lefteris Avgenakis, deputy minister of sports and president of the Acropolis Rally Greece organizing committee, hailed the news “a result of the excellent co-operation, the trust among the Greek government, the FIA and the WRC Promoter, but also of the impeccable organization we had in the last two editions”.
Avgenakis added: “This year’s Rally of Gods will be an exciting experience. Everybody is invited to see the history unfold in front of his or her own eyes and witness the beauty of Greece.”
This year’s event hosts round 10 of the season on September 7-10.
It will be the 70th edition of the rally.
