September 04, 2023
Written by: Chris Hosie
Image credit: autosport.com
The World Rally Championship had a dramatic visit to Finland last month. Elfyn Evans claimed a much-needed victory, while his teammate Kelle Rovanpera crashed out on home soil. The Finn still holds the championship lead but will be looking for redemption at the next stop on the 2023 tour. The famed and feared Acropolis Rally in Greece.
The Acropolis Rally is the premiere rally event in the Greek nation. Greece is famed for being the home of the Gods. Including: Aphrodite, Zues, Apollo, Hades and Poseidon. Greece is also home to the famed cities of Athens, Tripoli and Corfu. As well as being the home of the ancient cities of Troy, Sparta and Corinth. The event will take place over four days on some of the most demanding and car breaking stages on the WRC Calander. Even the best and most dependable cars and drivers have fallen foul of these infamous stretches of road. However, if you keep your cool and have a strong, reliable machine underneath you. You have a fairly good chance of taking a win or, at the very least, making it to the end of the event.
The Rally1 entry is once more set to provide top quality excitement. Sebastian Ogier and Jourdan Serderidis are back to chase for victory in Greece. The 8-time World Champion, in particular being one of the sure-fire favourites to win on gravel. They will join the ranks of Tanak, Sordo, Neuville, Rovanpera, Evans, Loubet, Lappi and Katsuta. WRC2 is also set to be a very exciting show in Greece. Andreas Mikkelsen will be one to watch as he hopes to get even more involved in the title fight. Yohan Rossel will also be looking for a strong finish in Greece. The Citroen driver being a little on the back foot in the last couple of rallies.
Oliver Solberg and Gus Greensmith are set to launch another duel amongst the Skoda and Toksport contingent. Sami Pajari, Kajetan Kajentanowicz and Nikolay Gryazin will also be looking to stir things up in the WRC’s top development division. Adrien Fourmaux seeks further success in his M-Sport Fiesta after another commanding display in the BRC in Ulster. His teammate Gregoire Munster and privateer Robert Virves will also be hoping for strong finishes in their trusty Fiestas. Gerog Linnamae heads the Hyundai contingent of WRC2 and Rally2 in general, while Martin Prokop will be looking to upset the divine order in his privateer Fiesta. Alexandros Tsouloftas heads up the large Greek contingent in his VW Polo Rally2.
WRC3 sees a very talent filled line up for this event. Greek driver Epaminondas Karanikolas leading the way with several of his fellow countryman in toe. Greece also hosts the final round of the Junior World Champiuonship. At title that will be fought between Ireland’s William Creighton and France’s Laurent Pellier. Eamonn Kelly and Diego Dominguez Jr are also in attendance and, like the rest of the Juniors will also be competing for WRC3 honours. Dominguez is also primed to take second place in the Junior points, should problems hit Pellier. Ali Turkkan and Eduardo Castro will also be ones to watch in the main WRC3 division.
And now, all that is needed is for the stage to be set for the world’s most elite and talented rally drivers. The Acropolis rally will commence this coming weekend on the 7th through 10th of September. Will Toyota and Skoda sweep all before them or will the others stand firm like the famed 300? Catch all the action on TNT Sport in the UK and on Rally TV. The new streaming platform for WRC, ERC and WRX. You can also catch the Rally TV via the red button on TNT Sport and catch highlights of each division on the WRC YouTube Page.
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