WRC Rally Acropolis Greece 2021

[SubaruNorway]

You all know SubaruNorway. If you locals have special unique places, please give him a hint by PM. I know he´d appriciate taking the actionphotos we all love (no flowers, hairpins, junctions...)

I'm not going to Acropolis though, not sure about Finland even and now I'm struggling with a broken camera so we will see if there will be anymore this year.

[NOT]

maps of individual stages are now on the official website...

the super special makes me cry...

[AnttiL]

the super special makes me cry...

That's one of the worst super specials in the history of WRC. It's down there with Street Stage Leon and Colwyn Bay.

[bomber21]

We knew SSS would be a joke. They wanted to bring the rally in the centre of the city but this is a joke.

[Tom K]

Knowing it's on Syntagma, I did not expect much more...

[Rallyper]

I'm not going to Acropolis though, not sure about Finland even and now I'm struggling with a broken camera so we will see if there will be anymore this year.

Oh sorry Tor! I mixed you up with Subarurally. :)

[Fredouye]

Plane ticket booked, from Monday to Monday.

I may be there with a group of photographs, otherwise I’ll book a small rental car and bring my sleeping bag.

Very excited, this event is on my todo list since I was a kid :)

[DoN_cz]

Guys, where are you searching for acommodation? On Booking.com there is very few offers around Lamia (and it has been like that even many months ago - seems like that area has very few offers on Booking).

[MartijnS]

We booked via Airbnb. Was difficult indeed. If you look for Lamia area you’ll find some possibilities along the coast east of Lamia.

We also booked an extra hotel for Thursday Friday close to Loutraki so we don’t have to do the 2.5 hour drive in the morning haha.

[DoN_cz]

We actually have something booked in Agios Konstantinos, but it is free to cancel only until 24.8. - and as there is still no official confirmation whether spectators will be allowed, we are running out of time. So I wanted to find some other alternative with later date of free cancellation...

[bomber21]

The rally starts in 19 days and they have not yet announced essential details about it. People from all over the world have booked tickets and they still don’t know 100% if spectators will be allowed…

Not the best impression for the organizing team…

[tommeke_B]

With everything booked it's either visiting the rally or having a picnic for us... ;)

[Co-driven]

Guys, where are you searching for acommodation? On Booking.com there is very few offers around Lamia (and it has been like that even many months ago - seems like that area has very few offers on Booking).

Apparently, organisers booked all hotels in the area, and only through their official travel agency you can book those hotels.
http://smartdestination.gr/

[subarurally]

Guys, where are you searching for acommodation? On Booking.com there is very few offers around Lamia (and it has been like that even many months ago - seems like that area has very few offers on Booking).

I booked an Airbnb in Lamia but did it like 3 months ago when I decided I was definitely going. It was even very few options then. All hotels were already booked solid when I looked. Hope you find a place!

[subarurally]

Trying to plan some stuff out. Some of these access roads look wild. Just upgraded my rental to an SUV....

For instance, taking another posters advice, was going to try to do SS7->SS9->SS11 and looking at one of the potential spectating areas, near the "Pyra of Herlcules", the road looks intimidating. Also, I'm not keen on what the arrows mean (one way only? evac route?) I don't want to mess stuff up by taking routes to spectating areas that I'm not supposed to be driving on...

https://www.motorsportforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2158&d=1629513777

[rallyfiend]

The rally starts in 19 days and they have not yet announced essential details about it. People from all over the world have booked tickets and they still don’t know 100% if spectators will be allowed…

Not the best impression for the organizing team…

C'mon. This isn't unusual these days.

The dutch government only announced this week whether / how many spectators would be allowed for the Grand Prix in two weeks.

Every major event and festival all over Europe is really only one government announcement away from happening at all or not. this is hardly the fault of those seeking to still run events.

[NOT]

The rally starts in 19 days and they have not yet announced essential details about it. People from all over the world have booked tickets and they still don’t know 100% if spectators will be allowed…

Not the best impression for the organizing team…

also bear in mind that we are talking Balkan subhumans here, not some civilised developed world nation, they are not even vaccinated at 50%.

If they are the reason the rally gets restrictions i think a good idea would be to have a hunting season for them and shoot them down like the dogs they are.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9ZOCsyXIAMJplH?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9ZOCszWQAYWURk?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9ZOCs0XMAkrySX?format=jpg&name=medium

[bomber21]

Info about spectating
https://twitter.com/acropolisrally/status/1429824509805268996?s=21

[macebig]

Special Stages are open and free for anyone to spectate. Usage of masks, sanitizers and other safety measures is highly suggested. To access the Service Park area, VIP area in Athens SSS (Public Cafe for the locals) and any enclosed official area, vaccination is required.

[NOT]

To access the Service Park area, VIP area in Athens SSS (Public Cafe for the locals) and any enclosed official area, vaccination is required.

perfect !!!!

was about time to divide humans from subhumans...

[subarurally]

Hmm. Looking at the Google Earth data it looks like it might be easiest to do SS7--->SS10--->SS11 on Saturday....

[NOT]

Sometime early next week or during the weekend i am going to go through Pavliani - Elatia - Shakedown and maybe Loutraki - agioi theodoroi - thiva if i decide to stay in Athens for a day.. we will see... I do not think i will bother with Sunday stages at all.

will post amazing hairpin spots afterwards.

[EstWRC]

dimviii are you also attending the rally?

[dimviii]

yeap,but i have some problems with my job,hope to solve them.

[subarurally]

Anybody with local knowledge: Is it reasonable to think that I could park just East of Kallithea and park and be able to see all 3 stages? (SS2--->SS3--->SS4) (See map)
Or, should I just go further East to the SS2+4 access road and just hang out there for just SS2+SS4?

https://www.motorsportforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2160&d=1630182047

[tommeke_B]

There's 53 minutes between the 2 stages. Usually on a WRC gravel event like this one there will be 3 or 4 minutes between WRC cars. So after seeing only the 10 works WRC cars 30 or 40 minutes have already passed. Leaving either 23 or 13 minutes to move from one stage to the other. Walk to the car, drive (short drive, it's true), and walk again... I'm not saying it's impossible, but it largely depends on the number of spectators (how far you have to park on both stages), the gap between WRC-cars and the drive-ability of the road in between. I think I'd stick with choosing some good spots for SS2 and 4. Better to find some great spot for 2 stages than have 3 stages with "average" action you already forgot after a few days.

[subarurally]

There's 53 minutes between the 2 stages. Usually on a WRC gravel event like this one there will be 3 or 4 minutes between WRC cars. So after seeing only the 10 works WRC cars 30 or 40 minutes have already passed. Leaving either 23 or 13 minutes to move from one stage to the other. Walk to the car, drive (short drive, it's true), and walk again... I'm not saying it's impossible, but it largely depends on the number of spectators (how far you have to park on both stages), the gap between WRC-cars and the drive-ability of the road in between. I think I'd stick with choosing some good spots for SS2 and 4. Better to find some great spot for 2 stages than have 3 stages with "average" action you already forgot after a few days.

That makes sense. Thanks for the advice. This being my first time in Greece and first time WRC event I'm trying to plan the best I can.

[polomayu]

Quality vs quantity, if you know good spots, try it! But if you find a good spot in the first stage it could be better to see r5 cars there than wrc in a bad spot! Goood luck!

[subarurally]

Quality vs quantity, if you know good spots, try it! But if you find a good spot in the first stage it could be better to see r5 cars there than wrc in a bad spot! Goood luck!

Great point! I know nothing about any of the spots in Greece but I'm doing some good research right now!

[WRC1]

after Suninens out from M-Sport, will there be a replacement for Acropolis?

[Andre Oliveira]

Lukyanuk would be a good replacement.

[Danny0405]

No replacement I think, it’s better for M-Sport to save money now as they have nothing more to play in both driver and team WRC-2 championship.
All the more than Gryazin will be there for 2 rallyes (including Greece) even if it is officially under Movisport registration and they have Kristensson + Prokop also so they can end the season properly with at least one on each rounds.

The only replacement that could have made sense would have been to give the seat to Lappi for the end of the season (beginning by Greece and then Finland) as he is free and still in title contention if he makes the last 4 rallyes. But considering the fresh relations between Lappi and M-Sport and the fact that Lappi will not pay to drive for 4 rallyes (and may even want to get paid), I think it will not happen. But clearly, it would have been a good deal: some drives for Lappi to keep some habits because he has not seriously drive since Portugal and a chance to win RC2 rallyes for M-Sport.

So clearly difficult end of season for M-Sport (and the season was quite bad globally in Rallye2, there are not even more the second best car on this market)

[harriswrc]

Anybody with local knowledge: Is it reasonable to think that I could park just East of Kallithea and park and be able to see all 3 stages? (SS2--->SS3--->SS4) (See map)
Or, should I just go further East to the SS2+4 access road and just hang out there for just SS2+SS4?

https://www.motorsportforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2160&d=1630182047

It's 12mins walk from the last hairpin of ss2 to 1st km of ss3 and there is a shortcut there to go. So, you can catch about 8-9 first cars at ss2 and go to ss3 and see them all. You park at the end of ss2 and you see most of wrcars 3 times. You can find interesting spectators points at both stages near the access road.

[harriswrc]

It's 12mins walk from the last hairpin of ss2 to 1st km of ss3 and there is a shortcut there to go. So, you can catch about 8-9 first cars at ss2 and go to ss3 and see them all. You park at the end of ss2 and you see most of wrcars 3 times. You can find interesting spectators points at both stages near the access road. That's the access road

[subarurally]

It's 12mins walk from the last hairpin of ss2 to 1st km of ss3 and there is a shortcut there to go. So, you can catch about 8-9 first cars at ss2 and go to ss3 and see them all. You park at the end of ss2 and you see most of wrcars 3 times. You can find interesting spectators points at both stages near the access road.

Awesome. Thanks for that info!!

[Danny0405]

https://www.rallye-sport.fr/a-fourmaux-une-chance-de-rouler-autant-avec-la-2022/

Not test for Fourmaux for Greece as M-Sport has other priorities with him (Greensmith will make some tests).
He is not 100% sure he will make all the four remaining rallies with the RC1 car

[mknight]

Not sure if I read it like that.
Anyway for Finland it might not be very necessary for Forumaux to drive WRC since that's where less aero for next year will make most difference.
But there aren't many drivers who have time and opportunity to drive instead. If we disregard Lappi, the only one is Gryazin. In that case Wilson is very brave with his repair budget.

[bomber21]

Petter Solberg interview in Greece
https://www-4troxoi-gr.translate.goog/agones/wrc/synenteyxi-petter-solberg-4t/?_x_tr_sl=el&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=el&_x_tr_pto=ajax,nv,elem

[Fredouye]

Not sure if I read it like that.

He said he won’t have to share the car anymore. M-Sport told him to focus on the Greece event, and then «*we will see*».

[NOT]

went through Loutraki (first half) - Agioi theodoroi (first 9kms) - Pavliani (the first kms until after the valley...then it becomes really really rough with stones everywhere do not know if they are going to send a road roller... if they do not its going to be a tyre massacre) - eleftheroxori (the first 6kms) - Shakedown (all of it) and Thiva (all of it...its a lot different at the begining and towards the end with a totally new route from last time i visited in 2012... i liked it more this year especially the first part, the one towards the end not that much unless you like to see the cars go in straight lines at very high speed)

found some interesting spots.... mostly hairpins which i love so much.

will post them here during the weekend

[pantealex]

https://storage.googleapis.com/download/storage/v1/b/sportity-storage/o/bf4edd37-2a24-4fae-aecd-ec575aefd95e%2Fc82db76b-7869-45a4-907c-84d4b6b0d6e3_Bulletin%201%202.pdf?generation=16304 24596456162&alt=media
Sunday times have some changes (Bulletin2)

[AnttiL]

https://motorsport.hyundai.com/game-on-in-greece/
https://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/release/2021/rd09-preview/

[bomber21]

Official program (PDF)

https://cutt.ly/TWmGipc

[NOT]

Welcome to the Rally Acropolis 2021 spectating guide, also know as "how to stop being a pleb and a burden to society when spectating events"


lets start with the shakedown

the first spot is at 0.6km a fast S and a dip on the inside... should be nice

https://imgur.com/a/915dswe

then there is the steep downhill tarmac section with a hairpin at the top at 1.6kms

the cars come towards you on the second image... the hairpin is downhill

https://imgur.com/a/CBIx5wj

at 1,8km there is a small bump and the cars might lift a wheel or something like that or the suspension will absorb it
at 3..9kms there is a bumpy straight flat out but there is no place to sit and watch the whole straight

https://imgur.com/a/0xMFVMO

then the stage gets a bit rougher and uphill until the end.

Eleftherochori

I just did the first kms until the section where all the plebs are going to be which is at around 4km
there are a few uphill hairpins (also know as pleb magnets) at 1km
Then there is a bumpy straight section with some small bumps at 2.5kms

https://imgur.com/a/NQXjx1m

do not get discouraged by the speed of greek rally drivers... they are the most worthless drivers on the planet.. the proper ones are going to be nice on this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJq5tMgqxNs

Pavliani

a classic stage, all the spots are from this access

https://imgur.com/a/kBsrpz5

In the first kms there are a lot of fast S bends and the scenery is fantastic, there were some wild horses also but i doubt you are going to see them during the event.
at 0.1km

https://imgur.com/a/vnCE5De

at 0.3km

https://imgur.com/a/fVBFx9T

at 1km which is the fastest of them
the first photo is where the cars are coming from and the second is where they go

https://imgur.com/a/3uUl4aU

at 1.8kms there is a jump which could be interesting for the WRCs it goes downhill and if the choose a tight line they will jump more but if they do not then they might not... the images do not do justice... there is a nice drop.

https://imgur.com/a/bQrWZzS

in this incar from vovos the co-driver has the spot as jump.
at 6.46min

https://youtu.be/oNxErr7FMu8?t=406

at 2.9km there is a very fast flowing section where you can see the cars for around 20secs and there is a nice ditch on the inside of the corner they might cut...

https://imgur.com/a/pxiey5K

https://youtu.be/5fQMxdWSGqE?t=128

at 3kms there is a jump however the rollers went through this year and they smoothed it out so it might not be that big

https://imgur.com/a/EIHDxlP

Agioi Thedoroi

at 3kms there are 3 spots that might be small jumps all of them around 200-300meters apart... you cannot see all 3 so you have to choose one

https://imgur.com/a/9gmrZ0v

at 4.6kms there is also another jump which could be bigger and depending on the line they might do a bit sideways.

https://imgur.com/a/RD741nX

at 6.5kms they enter a tarmac section and i started crying so did not go any further

Loutraki

2 interesting sports very close to the start
at 0.3km the cars go where the car if facing

https://imgur.com/a/F5AsZu4

at 0.6kms there is a very wide fast left hander with a bump on the inside that they will go over

https://imgur.com/a/CC1pRnu

Thiva

At 4.9 there is a tricky left hander with a bump on the inside

https://imgur.com/a/peBkMG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmXYmgJzvlw

and at 7.1km there is a very fast downhill jump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-bOHDRsFaU
https://imgur.com/a/qtFvh1w


and that concludes the rally guide... remember... do not be a pleb.

[Franky]

NOT, your pictures are missing.

"undefined"

[NOT]

i know... have to find another uploader.... will get back to it

ok the problem was that the images take long to upload... will fix it.

update...they should be working now...

[NOT]

bonus images

at the start of agioi theodoroi

https://imgur.com/a/Izut0gL

the scenery over the valley at pavliani... i am sure the pro plebs will have those with a car somewhere in bottom left corner.

https://imgur.com/a/nJpcw3I

[Yugo_para_siempre]

NOT, could you please clarify the condition of the access road towards Pyra Hercules , for S.S. Pavliani?

I drove it mid July and its condition was bad, especially at the last km was very rough with many big stones at the hairpins.

I was with my old Punto HGT, so at some point we got out of the car and we cleaned the road using our hands.
I saw you drove it with a new Fiesta (was it ST?). So your opinion is important.

I hope that they improved it in the meantime.

[NOT]

the hairpins close to the access are pretty bad with stones everywhere, but passable with a normal suspension height car (yes it was a fiesta ST, the underneath of the car never touched any of the stones and there was no need to clear any of the stones)... the rest of the access is ok, some tricky places where you have to avoid stones but nothing really bad... I do not think they improved it since july.

I think if it rains there might be big problems especially if 4x4s pass through those hairpins and expose the mud underneath the stones.

[Yugo_para_siempre]

Thanks for the info.

These hairpins were passable maybe because we spent about 10 minutes to clean them.
Stones remained everywhere even after our actions, you could not see soil at all.

But before we cleaned them there were not passable with normal car, because on top of the stones more and bigger stones existed...

[NOT]

the situation was the same with me... you could not see the road underneath the stones...

[Rallyper]

I think we should be very thankful to NOT here.

He´s done a massive work to give information of the stages.

Even though I´m not going to Greece, it´s quite nice getting this inside information so detailed.

[MartijnS]

Thanks NOT!

[TypeR]

Cool insight!
Sounds like Hyundai's nightmare :D

[AnttiL]

Cool insight!
Sounds like Hyundai's nightmare :D

Luckily they don’t have to drive through those access roads

[Jordib]

Thanks to all people giving inside information about the rally and stages, it's so useful for the people from outside attending the rally, and more for the firstcomers like me. The Acropolis deserves to stay in the WRC.

I have a question for the locals: on friday most people like us will be attending SS2-4 + 6, so on the way to Elatia I was thinking on taking the highway E75 instead of the more straigh road that passes through Thiva, where I expect traffic jams and delays due to the SS5. Do you think it makes sense? Will be allowed to drove the road to Zeli village from the highway against the rally route?

[Tom K]

Agioi Thedoroi

at 3kms there are 3 spots that might be small jumps all of them around 200-300meters apart... you cannot see all 3 so you have to choose one

https://imgur.com/a/9gmrZ0v



Could you tell us about the SS direction on these three photos? I expect that 1) the view is like going from start to finish, but have no idea about 2 and 3.

Thank you for your time and useful info.

[NOT]

Could you tell us about the SS direction on these three photos? I expect that 1) the view is like going from start to finish, but have no idea about 2 and 3.

Thank you for your time and useful info.

https://imgur.com/a/xyFnsDt

[Yugo_para_siempre]

Thanks to all people giving inside information about the rally and stages, it's so useful for the people from outside attending the rally, and more for the firstcomers like me. The Acropolis deserves to stay in the WRC.

I have a question for the locals: on friday most people like us will be attending SS2-4 + 6, so on the way to Elatia I was thinking on taking the highway E75 instead of the more straigh road that passes through Thiva, where I expect traffic jams and delays due to the SS5. Do you think it makes sense? Will be allowed to drove the road to Zeli village from the highway against the rally route?

Maybe you will spent the same amount of time.
But OK, you can be confident that through E75 you will avoid traffic.
I think if you get the exit towards Atalanti, then you can reach Zeli and walk from stage end.
I do not think that it will be a restriction.

[dimviii]

Oliver Solberg
@OliverSolberg01
Final preparations done ahead of @AcropolisRally
before the recce starts tomorrow!The car is working well on the rough, gravelly conditions - and how great does it look too?


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-iUgmSWUAMennN?format=jpg&name=small

[Jordib]

Maybe you will spent the same amount of time.
But OK, you can be confident that through E75 you will avoid traffic.
I think if you get the exit towards Atalanti, then you can reach Zeli and walk from stage end.
I do not think that it will be a restriction.

Thanks! we will try this option and go to the fast section before tarmac of the end of the stage.

[subarurally]

We are also going to do SS2,4,6 on Friday. I'm still undecided on where to go for SS2,4. Was thinking maybe going up towards the start of the stage and going west past the "war memorial" and up towards that hairpin area?

I think Saturday we are going to try and do SS7-->SS9-->Service park to watch the service-->SS12. Seem doable?

And big thanks to NOT and everyone else on here for providing such good info!!!! Much appreciated as a first time WRC spectator!

[Yugo_para_siempre]

I think it is too much for Saturday.
7-9-Service-12. The driving distance is big.
At least you should be at a place that you can safely walk out of the stages early, during action.

I would recommend 7 (Pavliani 1) 10-12 (Eleftherohori 1-2), not Service.

[NOT]

I think it is too much for Saturday.
7-9-Service-12. The driving distance is big.
At least you should be at a place that you can safely walk out of the stages early, during action.

I would recommend 7 (Pavliani 1) 10-12 (Eleftherohori 1-2), not Service.

I am sceptical about the pavliani access... i am almost certain that some low suspension car is going to get stuck and could end in disaster for a lot of people.

In general the organisers did a terrible job with the access roads this year... they are very few and the crowds should be massive after 8 years without a WRC... traffic on access roads can be a real problem.

I will go the conservative way.. 2 stages and 1 service on friday and 2 stages on saturday... i will access pavliani from the start 3-4 hours before the stage starts.. if they open the stage after the first pass i will go to eleftherochori.. if not i will stay in pavliani and watch from a different spot.

[subarurally]

I am sceptical about the pavliani access... i am almost certain that some low suspension car is going to get stuck and could end in disaster for a lot of people.

In general the organisers did a terrible job with the access roads this year... they are very few and the crowds should be massive after 8 years without a WRC... traffic on access roads can be a real problem.

I will go the conservative way.. 2 stages and 1 service on friday and 2 stages on saturday... i will access pavliani from the start 3-4 hours before the stage starts.. if they open the stage after the first pass i will go to eleftherochori.. if not i will stay in pavliani and watch from a different spot.

I was actually thinking about this. Looks like it might make more sense to just go to the start of SS7 and maybe hike back a bit versus trying to go all the way up that road towards "pyre of hercules".

[NOT]

I was actually thinking about this. Looks like it might make more sense to just go to the start of SS7 and maybe hike back a bit versus trying to go all the way up that road towards "pyre of hercules".

well the early parts of ss7 are not that interesting plus they are in the forest so visibility is limited... pyre of hercules is totally worth it and there are many places you can spectate plus usually its packed so you can have a taste of the acropolis atmosphere.. but its up to you.

you can enter the stage from the start with your car around 3-4 hours before it starts and drive up to the pyre... there are plenty of parking spots there since its a valley.

[WRC1]

Welcome to the Rally Acropolis 2021 spectating guide


Loutraki

2 interesting sports very close to the start
at 0.3km the cars go where the car if facing

https://imgur.com/a/F5AsZu4

at 0.6kms there is a very wide fast left hander with a bump on the inside that they will go over

https://imgur.com/a/CC1pRnu

[url]


just one question about Loutraki, is there any water left in the river crossings on this stage (close to the end)?

and thx for your work! hope to meet you in some Hairpin :)

[MartijnS]

A bit of rain these days I see, but not enough to really have a big influence on the stages probably?

[Yugo_para_siempre]

I am sceptical about the pavliani access... i am almost certain that some low suspension car is going to get stuck and could end in disaster for a lot of people.

In general the organisers did a terrible job with the access roads this year... they are very few and the crowds should be massive after 8 years without a WRC... traffic on access roads can be a real problem.

I will go the conservative way.. 2 stages and 1 service on friday and 2 stages on saturday... i will access pavliani from the start 3-4 hours before the stage starts.. if they open the stage after the first pass i will go to eleftherochori.. if not i will stay in pavliani and watch from a different spot.


I am also sceptical about the Pavliani (Pyra Hercules) access, for the same reasons.

But I do not believe that the early part of the stage 7 is that bad.
I mean OK is not that good, like in the valley of Pyra Hercules, but between 3 km - 4 km of the stage you can find some quite nice fast spots.
I believe that if they cannot be that early (4 hours) in the stage in order to drive it, they can walk from the start to 3 km - 4 km and spectate from a decent (not perfect) spot.

[NOT]

just one question about Loutraki, is there any water left in the river crossings on this stage (close to the end)?

and thx for your work! hope to meet you in some Hairpin :)

i did not go that far into the stage... but this week we had rains in greece so the river might have some water in.

[DoN_cz]

Any idea how is it gonna work with entering the service park? In Barum Rally, people wanting to go into service park, had first of all go to "covid accreditation" and prove they are either tested or vaccinated, then they received a wristband and could enter service park. I suppose similar system will be in Greece - any info about location and opening hours for this "accreditation"?

[Tom K]

just one question about Loutraki, is there any water left in the river crossings on this stage (close to the end)?

and thx for your work! hope to meet you in some Hairpin :)

In 2012 there was another splash on Loutraki. When "yours' was empty, second one was full of water. Back then they use the route also as shakedown, and on Thursday water was pretty big. This year it's 13,38 km from the start, at the junction, but until now the rain was to small and hope it will stay like this :)

After your words, guys, I am worried a bit with access roads in Lamia region. On the other hand, I did my first Acropolis with Citroen C1 with 4 people on-board :)

[TypeR]

what is this sht..?

https://www.upload.ee/image/13453080/wtf.jpg

[bomber21]

A joke SSS! But OK, this way the rally gets in the heart of the city and it gets widely known.

[Tom K]

Yep, but on the other hand they made a decision that SSS is closed to public :D

[MartijnS]

Really? Didn't know that. Can we watch the tyre warming before the start though?

[WRC1]

In 2012 there was another splash on Loutraki. When "yours' was empty, second one was full of water. Back then they use the route also as shakedown, and on Thursday water was pretty big. This year it's 13,38 km from the start, at the junction, but until now the rain was to small and hope it will stay like this :)

After your words, guys, I am worried a bit with access roads in Lamia region. On the other hand, I did my first Acropolis with Citroen C1 with 4 people on-board :)

Thank you Tom!

this leads to another question!? Do you think, or maybe know, if the access road wich leads you to this watersplash at km 13,38 is drivable with "normal" road car?

[pantealex]

Is Acropolis ServicePark really open for public ?

(Next Rally Finland Service Park is "Covid19 area", no access area for spectators, same system which has been on all 2021)

[MartijnS]

Yes, with vaccin or test.

[bomber21]

Yes, with vaccin or test.
Only if you are vaccinated or had COVID before. Tests are allowed only for non adults.

[macebig]

Start and SSS are open to public. Social distancing is strongly recommended as in all stages. Accessing the SP and VIP areas is vaccination only.

[drive]

Any idea where could I buy official rally program/magazine? like in WRC Estonia rally magazines were available in most one of the sponsor petrol stations

[RudiH]

we used to go to finish area of pavliana multiple times, easy access and parking

[bomber21]

Service Park and Syntagma square on Wednesday and Thursday. It came also with a newspaper on Saturday. It is free, you don’t pay.

Any idea where could I buy official rally program/magazine? like in WRC Estonia rally magazines were available in most one of the sponsor petrol stations

[MartijnS]

I got a message from a media guy that there are a lot of teams having issues with mud on the recce this morning. Anybody heard something about that?

[TypeR]

I got a message from a media guy that there are a lot of teams having issues with mud on the recce this morning. Anybody heard something about that?
A lot of fog + seems wet
https://www.upload.ee/image/13454468/Screenshot_20210907-104452_Instagram.jpg

[tommeke_B]

Just got a message from a codriver on recce. They just did Eleftherohori, lots of mud indeed, some parts were hardly drive-able. Yesterday it was far better he said.

[wwbroe]

A lot of cars were bocked in the stages due to the wet and muddy conditions, stages seems undrivable without gravel tyres. Local farmers had to come with tractors to help them out.

[macebig]

Totally expected. Early autumn rains after long periods of dryness always screw the road ups in Greece. And with that, any notion about the rally being too easy can be put to rest...

[Tom K]

These stages (I think mainly Eleftherohori and Gravia) have a lot of clay. I remember doing "recce" in 2016 with Panda. If the stage was going in opposite direction that year, I and my Panda would have been found probably next year:cool:

[mknight]

Well I guess the organizers have neither time nor money to repair the roads after recce?
Also it might not be allowed by FIA since it would change the character of the road (same like Safari Powerstage issue).

[Rallyper]

Don´t forget Pickems guys!
Closing at Thursday 1700hrs CEST.

[EstWRC]

https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/240531662_10158611406040678_7578195526026279566_n. jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=DOXdG4AO72YAX8kB9UV&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=bfcbc6831b2048005bdc6211766b4601&oe=615E95E3
https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241564445_10158611406055678_3919491591549311506_n. jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=pwHyZTAdym0AX8FNwKm&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=2183aac0fe9b2c52a44a1a38224b2f6b&oe=615EC76E
https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/240532420_10158611405975678_6908672206430216664_n. jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=u3oiOzELJ1sAX_xDM2g&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=cb915432b4a0afd94d7f001db308b5b2&oe=615C5A55
https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/240503053_10158611406025678_6425947922998887256_n. jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=R0ZVK1PJTJAAX_NBaUY&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=0c5332a4d98043b5ef09f1de7818e8bc&oe=615E3004
https://scontent.ftll2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/240509385_10158611405930678_8388656935526883844_n. jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=-UxgfEDKof8AX9WpG3_&_nc_ht=scontent.ftll2-1.fna&oh=8e68a0c9d1257d75cd105f7536830b64&oe=615CDB8D


https://www.facebook.com/WorldRally/posts/10158611410065678

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-riOp5WEAIPEf2?format=jpg&name=small

[MartijnS]

https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241380377_397651185055990_6072096352086625241_n.jp g?_nc_cat=109&_nc_rgb565=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=-Yrmwqb_qIwAX8Tsy5R&_nc_ht=scontent-amt2-1.xx&oh=9a290055c2f07870e574df6f62647cfc&oe=615DB1EF
https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241315737_397651198389322_1440672317687367307_n.jp g?_nc_cat=102&_nc_rgb565=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=KGAgh4bbQksAX_JuiDw&_nc_ht=scontent-amt2-1.xx&oh=14b5399b4ecaad24d1bb23fe65821901&oe=615E053C
https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/241451689_397651208389321_6369121166547649404_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_rgb565=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=leP0crW17E8AX_Xm8-y&_nc_ht=scontent-amt2-1.xx&oh=b56953e72e7eae8194aea5b31a0bab7b&oe=615DD0B3

Photos from Prokop :)

[dimviii]

Τarzan

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-r8HdUXoAMzJpF?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-r8IuQWYAcmrcf?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-r8KM_XIAkdpRf?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-r8LXAX0AwTv7f?format=jpg&name=large

[EstWRC]

of course this man likes it, knowing his luck i bet it rains on friday :laugh:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-sXfdLWUAI7n3f?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-sXI-SXoAY9oyk?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-sXI-QWEAYjFVK?format=jpg&name=medium

[NOT]

things do not look good....

https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/2-255668/Hellas/Central%20Greece/Fthi%C3%B3tis/P%C3%A1vliani

[EstWRC]

things do not look good....

https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/2-255668/Hellas/Central%20Greece/Fthi%C3%B3tis/P%C3%A1vliani

lol what i said...we will see

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-smk6yXIAYBnuq?format=jpg&name=large

[WRC1]

the people here in our Hotel (in Theologos) said from Tursday on it will be dry and sunny...dont worry!

[Yugo_para_siempre]

the people here in our Hotel (in Theologos) said from Tursday on it will be dry and sunny...dont worry!

I see that bluuford likes your comment.
I hope that he is not bluffing. ;)

[Tauri_J]

things do not look good....

https://www.yr.no/nb/v%C3%A6rvarsel/daglig-tabell/2-255668/Hellas/Central%20Greece/Fthi%C3%B3tis/P%C3%A1vliani

Not so much Rain during the rally

[NOT]

it changed through the day.. when i first posted it had 21mm of rain on friday and rain during the whole event.

[AnttiL]

Now it has 26mm for Thursday

[rallyfiend]

Things could get rather interesting.....

[AnttiL]

I'm just afraid of a scenario where access roads get destroyed, ambulances can't run and the stage is cancelled. Like Australia 2017 or Monza last year.

However it looks like the Friday stages won't get that much rain over them, the heaviest rains are forecast over Lamia.

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/TGR_WRC/status/1435483036322201604


Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT
@TGR_WRC
·
5m
Unfortunately
@TakamotoKatsuta
and
@KeatonWilliams_
will not start the Acropolis Rally after Keaton had to return home because of a family emergency.

It was not possible to bring in another co-driver at this late stage, so the decision was made to not take part in the rally.

[Fredouye]

We had a much better weather yesterday morning on friday’s stages :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210908/e459c5ac7e78cdec688881392b87f8ce.jpg

[EstWRC]

so tomorrows shakedown could be a mud fest?

[Fredouye]

We were yesterday evening in the shakedown, with a 4x2 car it was very slippery…

[Antonis9]

Unfortunately @TakamotoKatsuta and @KeatonWilliams_ will not start the Acropolis Rally after Keaton had to return home because of a family emergency.

It was not possible to bring in another co-driver at this late stage, so the decision was made to not take part in the rally. From Toyota Twitter

[AnttiL]

so tomorrows shakedown could be a mud fest?

Yes, it’s in the area which should have lots of rain

[EstWRC]

Sordo just posted a pic in IG story and its muddy, rainy and foggy again

[AnttiL]

Sordo just posted a pic in IG story and its muddy, rainy and foggy again

And he laughs it's looking like England

[rallyfiend]

Unfortunately @TakamotoKatsuta and @KeatonWilliams_ will not start the Acropolis Rally after Keaton had to return home because of a family emergency.

It was not possible to bring in another co-driver at this late stage, so the decision was made to not take part in the rally. From Toyota Twitter

Really? No other co-driver?

Doesn't Jarmo Lehtinen work for the team?

Kaj Lindstrom has done a few WRC events in his time from memory....

[abcrally]

Really? No other co-driver?

Doesn't Jarmo Lehtinen work for the team?

Kaj Lindstrom has done a few WRC events in his time from memory....

Management team member won't jump in the rally car as they have their job to do in the main team.

However Juho Hänninen would have been even better solution as he works with Takamoto and has been reading the notes for him on test days.

[mknight]

Really? No other co-driver?

Doesn't Jarmo Lehtinen work for the team?

Kaj Lindstrom has done a few WRC events in his time from memory....

Thing is this is in the middle of recce (which is 3 days here).
- If it was before they can try to get a codriver to make the recce.
- If it's was after they could try to get one to re-watch onboards from recce and re-write notes in his own hand

But this way they needed co-driver than could go with Katsuta on a few hours notice to make it to next part of recce. (Maybe they didn't even manage to run all stages yesterday.)

[dimviii]

stop at Tarzan

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-vu0ZRXMAQQ7Ec?format=jpg&name=large

[dimviii]

Oliver Solberg
@OliverSolberg01

Day 3 of recce at the @AcropolisRally
! Lots of mud and big, loose rocks too - not to mention the cows! Face with tears of joy The conditions this weekend will be so tough, a proper challenge!


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-wBRQgXMAAQwId?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-wBYF4XMAML0cl?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-wBYF8XEAALMyK?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-wBYF8X0AQmT1B?format=jpg&name=large

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210908/bbc39e4dfe8b75d77927f36b643248e3.jpg

[Danny0405]

Considering the weather and road conditions, taking Sordo over Breen may have not been a great choice for Hyundai (mud + road position a little further)

[mknight]

Well you can't know the weather in advance...

Until this year Sordo was basically the most consistent bet among all drivers on slower gravel.

Then the co-driver changed and he has shown a bit disappointing speed in Portugal (compared to previous years), clear driver error in Sardinia and retirement in Safari (not clear how much it was driver induced, but Adamo was angry about it).

Now with another co-driver again Hyundai really needs to know how much they can bet on him.

- if Breen is not signed at MSport yet, should they offer him full season at expense of Sordo?
- if Breen is leaving, can Sordo drive the car most of the season and only let Solberg or even Huttunen score points in Sweden, Finland and Estonia or do they need to try to get some other driver?

[pantealex]

48/55
7 drivers have withdrawn
Amended entry list:
https://storage.googleapis.com/download/storage/v1/b/sportity-storage/o/bf4edd37-2a24-4fae-aecd-ec575aefd95e%2F7991d9f2-eb58-4a48-9645-d9a53ad6a172_Amended%20Entry%20List.pdf?generation =1631112322815440&alt=media

[mknight]

I see the tire allocation is 32 hards, 8 soft. That might get interesting...

[Rallyper]

Soon 22 hrs from Pickems shutdown.

[Danny0405]

I see the tire allocation is 32 hards, 8 soft. That might get interesting...

Pirelli just said it will be a difficult rally for the tyres.
And the state of the tyres looked terrible after the tests.

About Breen/Sordo, yeah, Sordo was a most logical choice at the moment of the decision, it is just an observation based on the current situation of the road/weather but quite easy to say it now (compared with 4 weeks ago).

[the sniper]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210908/bbc39e4dfe8b75d77927f36b643248e3.jpg

Bah, back in the days of the 'true Acropolis', these would just be considered pebbles... :p

[satukata]

Shakedown live stream? Nothing in facebook now...

[NOT]

Shakedown live stream? Nothing in facebook now...

there are still 7 hours to go until the shakedown start... which unfortunately due to unforeseeable circumstances i will miss... its a pity because its a nice little stage.

hope everyone that goes has fun.

[bomber21]

Will the shakedown be live on youtube or facebook? I do not see any announcements.

[EstWRC]

Cmon guys you are old members here, it’s always been live and the notification on Facebook comes when it goes live. On YouTube they put the link days earlier

Here you go

https://youtu.be/HPFVZKF5NOE

[dimviii]

Yleisölle viihdettä
@RallyEntertain
Good morning from Greece Waving hand. Here we are at the Acropolis Rally Shakedown stage. Our spectating place is 650m from the start, fast left over crest. Road condition is wet and slippy. First car starts at 8am. Stay tuned


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-0StgbXIAA2CzZ?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-0SueCXsAAFppp?format=jpg&name=large

[EstWRC]

Wales rally GB!

[EstWRC]

how are the tomorrow stages? more dry or like the shakedown stage at the moment?

[EstWRC]

live maps showing Gryazin as Suninen

[AnttiL]

how are the tomorrow stages? more dry or like the shakedown stage at the moment?

Should be more dry as they are in a different area.

[AnttiL]

Kalle with 6 second stage win on first pass

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-0fYk1WQAIw5Ll?format=jpg&name=medium

[EstWRC]

Hyundais going for a second run with Tänak first, all the Toyotas and Fourmaux came to service so no time from them soon

[AnttiL]

Kalle’s time still unbeatable. A muddy road likely just polishes

[EstWRC]

clip of Ott https://twitter.com/PeepPahv/status/1435850495097196545?s=20

[EstWRC]

Kalle’s time still unbeatable. A muddy road likely just polishes

there were talk that he drove with softs compared others with hard but of course hasnt been confirmed so far

[Henryfiles]

At shakedown, roads are cutting up a lot. Kalle was on softs too

[AnttiL]

there were talk that he drove with softs compared others with hard but of course hasnt been confirmed so far

Yup, heard it as well. I wonder if the softs they use on the shakedown are counted in the whole rally allocation, hence everyone saving them? And Kalle being "sacrificed" to test the performance for Evans and Ogier?

[pantealex]

Kalle being "sacrificed" to test the performance for Evans and Ogier?

Absolutely NOT, JML believes that Kalle is his main weapon against Hyundai.

[pantealex]

I believe surface is biggest reason for only 1 run, 2nd run might be fatal for current cars.

I did write this 3 months ago, many of you were loudly against it...

I still believe in it

Are you still in favour of 2 runs ?

[AnttiL]

If there was no limitations, I would have all stages run just once. But in the real world it's not always possible. You may be right in your guess though, although the current rains have made the situation worse.

[AnttiL]

The weather forecasts are still giving fully dry for the first Friday stages. Only SS6 is close to Lamia so it could be wet from Thursday's rains, although likely no more rain on Friday. Road cleaning will still be a normal issue for most of the day.

[NOT]

The weather forecasts are still giving fully dry for the first Friday stages. Only SS6 is close to Lamia so it could be wet from Thursday's rains, although likely no more rain on Friday. Road cleaning will still be a normal issue for most of the day.

saturdays stages are in the forests up in the mountains... there is no way they are going to be dry, maybe some parts of it, but the majority will be muddy or wet.

the stages of friday maybe are going to be dry a bit since they are in quite open areas close to sea level.

[AnttiL]

Has there been any rain in the Corinth area this week?

[NOT]

Has there been any rain in the Corinth area this week?

do not know probably not given the pictures from the recce

[Rallyper]

Regarding Pickems Rally Greece, (closing at 1700 CEST today) note that Katsuta (edited) and Suninen withdraw from entrylist. Change in your current quote.

[RallyFan13]

Highlights from Shakedown
https://youtu.be/NG-nHJc5YRs

[EstWRC]

shakedown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uiaIRo9wAg

[bomber21]

The publicity of this year’s rally is unprecedented. Almost every media has a section (not just an article)for the rally. Free TV will show ceremonial start and SSS. People who had no idea about rallying, get informed and interested. The fact that SSS will take place in the centre of Athens offers huge visibility to almost everyone. Good marketing and promotion job!!!

[AnttiL]

That's not even tyre wear, that's delamination damage, very typical to the Pirellis.

[EstWRC]

Wow. That’s ridiculous

[Fredouye]

And it’s a photo from last month : https://twitter.com/ant_quentin/status/1427906898708373510?s=20

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/8DYJpz92yvs

[AnttiL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNA8hLAzT-8

Kalle doing some serious braking at the end of the first shakedown run. Jonne saying "rememeber, slow down...slow down....slow down still more"

[mknight]

What's the point? So that others don't see he used soft tires?

Afaik they have people checking that as they leave service, the drivers starting infront of or after him can also easily check

[AnttiL]

Besides that is broadcast live on YouTube, the teams can see instantly what they are doing...

[EstWRC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oD27SrZoyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InZRIMCXrYk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGgPfeC1SQ

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-18Qu_X0AAp51R?format=jpg&name=medium

[NOT]

Went to the access road to elwftherochori that leads to the lake i do not think anyone without a 4x4 truck can go through ( we turned back after 500 meters or so) locals said it was raining for 4 daya straight... They said it might dry since they do not expect rain anymore but still its too much of a risk

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c91jdM434Tk

[macebig]

At the SSS. Crowds are insane!

[dimviii]

https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2021/photos/eko-acropolis-rally-of-gods_2021/hfr_dsc_0986.jpg

https://www.ewrc.cz/foto/71264-eko-acropolis-rally-of-gods-2021/515/

https://www.ewrc.cz/foto/71264-eko-acropolis-rally-of-gods-2021/573/

[Tauri_J]

Farce of a stage

[hari]

Some pictures from Shakedown:
http://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_bestof_wrc_acropolis_rallye_2021.html

http://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/1.jpghttp://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/2.jpghttp://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/3.jpghttp://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/4.jpghttp://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/5.jpghttp://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2021/acropolis/6.jpg

[dimviii]

Farce of a stage

worst stage last 150 years.

[mknight]

One of the later RC2 cars could even win this stage overall if they have some soft tires. Since there will be more rubber on the road.

For example Solberg or Lindholm

[bomber21]

They should have at least included one more round. It is too short.

[NOT]

My eyes bleed...

[dupanton]

BTW, they have picked the tyres for this SSS but also for the first 3 stages tomorrow.
Toyota 5 tyres, Hyundai 6. Only Neuville has 2 softs.

[EstWRC]

It will be very interesting tomorrow.

New rally and only one repeatable stage (you have to have very precise notes) and no service + weather has made things interesting

Let’s see if Friday is again Hyundai party and on Sunday Toyota party

bring it on

[spiderem]

The Toyotas were clearly better suited for this stage.

[AnttiL]

The Toyotas were clearly better suited for this stage.

Who cares for this stage :)

The rally starts tomorrow.

[AnttiL]

They should have at least included one more round. It is too short.

Like Athanassoulas did one extra round :D

[macebig]

SSS was pretty fun, albeit it needed better organising. It should have been 2 laps around the square. Blocking the view from Ermou and alongside it was dumb founded. Plus, videowalls were absolutely necessary. Weirdest thing is they had speakers installed but no sound was coming out of them. Had some nice chat with a hopeless police officer trying to maintain a semblance of order. Hope we see it again next year with better organising and maybe an extended route. Entering Panepistimiou and turning back towards Syntagma at Amerikis Str would be nicer. CU in Lamia.

[Henryfiles]

SSS was pretty fun, albeit it needed better organising. It should have been 2 laps around the square. Blocking the view from Ermou and alongside it was dumb founded. Plus, videowalls were absolutely necessary. Weirdest thing is they had speakers installed but no sound was coming out of them. Had some nice chat with a hopeless police officer trying to maintain a semblance of order. Hope we see it again next year with better organising and maybe an extended route. Entering Panepistimiou and turning back towards Syntagma at Amerikis Str would be nicer. CU in Lamia.

I’m here myself, following the rally with my son. What stages are you planning to go to tomorrow?

[macebig]

I’m here myself, following the rally with my son. What stages are you planning to go to tomorrow?

PS and finish on Sunday for me. Best wishes for you and your family.

[EstWRC]

My eyes bleed...

To make you even more bleed

Massive success in colins eyes https://twitter.com/voiceofrally/status/1436042736445136897?s=21

[Fredouye]

Pavliani

a classic stage, all the spots are from this access

https://imgur.com/a/kBsrpz5

In the first kms there are a lot of fast S bends and the scenery is fantastic, there were some wild horses also but i doubt you are going to see them during the event.
at 0.1km

https://imgur.com/a/vnCE5De

at 0.3km

https://imgur.com/a/fVBFx9T

at 1km which is the fastest of them
the first photo is where the cars are coming from and the second is where they go

https://imgur.com/a/3uUl4aU

at 1.8kms there is a jump which could be interesting for the WRCs it goes downhill and if the choose a tight line they will jump more but if they do not then they might not... the images do not do justice... there is a nice drop.

https://imgur.com/a/bQrWZzS

in this incar from vovos the co-driver has the spot as jump.
at 6.46min

https://youtu.be/oNxErr7FMu8?t=406

at 2.9km there is a very fast flowing section where you can see the cars for around 20secs and there is a nice ditch on the inside of the corner they might cut...

https://imgur.com/a/pxiey5K

https://youtu.be/5fQMxdWSGqE?t=128

at 3kms there is a jump however the rollers went through this year and they smoothed it out so it might not be that big

https://imgur.com/a/EIHDxlP
Hi NOT

could you please tell me if all these spots are in the same direction (from the access point to the end) ? We did some recce on tuesday, but with a lot of fog…

Thanks in advance !

[NOT]

Yes all these points are from the access point towards the end of the stage. But be careful the access is going to be hard to go through with a normal car after all this rain.. it would be wiser to arrive 3-4 hours early and go through the start of pavliani (the points are about 5-6km into the stage if i remember correctly) since the stage is not going to be that muddy becausee the rollers moved most of the gravel away.

this was the situation we saw 500 meters into the access point of eleftherochori today and turned back... imagine the conditions when around 20-30 4x4 go through that... i do not think a normal car can pass.

https://imgur.com/a/i9jEjX1

the ruts were about 10-15cm deep the photo does not show the true conditions

[bomber21]

Since I cannot follow the rally this year in the mountains, I went late night to Syntagma square to just see the cars. It was really smart to use the square as parc ferme because everyone can admire these beasts from early evening till dawn. The SSS maybe was not good but the idea of bringing the rally into the centre of the city, made the rally known to almost every resident of Athens and attracted crowds. I liked it. It was a like a festival.

https://i.postimg.cc/jjshXvQg/7-A9-FFA5-C-04-A2-4-A5-E-8-E4-D-B992-DB2-F7420.jpg (https://postimg.cc/rDPWy1Hx)

[TypeR]

we have rally Acropolis back and no service today.. 90kms without service.
tomorrow there are 132km of stages and service again after 90kms..

[spiderem]

Who cares for this stage :)

The rally starts tomorrow.

You have great knowledge but perceiving humour and sarcasme is not quite your thing :)

[NOT]

Agioi theodoroi and loutraki are completely dry... I do not think the rains affected the region.

[Fredouye]

Anyone knows if the gap is 3 or 4 minutes for today’s ss ?

[EstWRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-5ncMQX0AUS-zB?format=jpg&name=small

[EstWRC]

Anyone knows if the gap is 3 or 4 minutes for today’s ss ?

its 3

[wwbroe]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-5ncMQX0AUS-zB?format=jpg&name=small

So, all Toy's with just one spare?

[TypeR]

Can't be true, that Ogier goes with 1 spare..

[AnttiL]

Interesting that Toyotas are now taking the puncture risk...especially with Pirellis that could delaminate. They have only two stages (~38 km) to complete before tyre change, but still, risky!

[AnttiL]

You have great knowledge but perceiving humour and sarcasme is not quite your thing :)

haha, it's not always easy on the internet, but now I see it :D

[AnttiL]

Assuming today's stages are dry, we could see Ogier and Evans suffering majorly, Neuville as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sordo leading at the end of the day, or Tänak. But we could also see some retirements or punctures

[AnttiL]

Due to a traffic accident on national road Athens-Korinthos, start of SS2 Aghii Theodori will be delayed. New start time will be announced shortly

https://twitter.com/AcropolisRally/status/1436216829777784836

[EstWRC]

⚠️ There is likely to be a delay of around 15 minutes to the start of SS2 due to a road accident - unrelated to the rally - on the road leaving Athens.

[NOT]

Ss2 will start in 8 mins. 10.33 local

[TypeR]

Latvala saying that SS5 and 6 are really nice stages and where drivers can attack

[AnttiL]

Latvala saying that SS5 and 6 are really nice stages and where drivers can attack

SS5 is technical with two fast sections, SS6 is fast with only a handful of tight corners

[EstWRC]

sick dogs on the road already!

[wwbroe]

Dogs on the road for Ogier

[TypeR]

quite a lot small and sharp bumps with on nose landing..

[Rallyper]

Morning fellow rallylovers!

[Rallyper]

Neuville seems to have good pace... too fast?

Edit: Just hard on the car...

[Lead]

Splits not working on WRC site?

[Rallyper]

Splits not working on WRC site?

It will after first car passes finish line... Been before. Bug, I think.

[spyros]

Morning all, i wish to have a good rally.Stages are awesome and there is not so warm for this period in Greece.

[Rally Hokkaido]

sick dogs on the road already!

Greek village ones!

[TypeR]

Neuville must have some issues.. tooo much time loss..

[Oliverk]

no live maps or my system is caput?

[TypeR]

Sordo even slower than Neuville..

[wwbroe]

Tanak only 0,2 faster, Ogier did a great job in there

[Rallyper]

GG +1 sec/km on Ogier...

[rp]

GG +1 sec/km on Ogier...

GG has to drive a lot of faster to get stage wins. It was his aim...

[jonkka]

GG has to drive a lot of faster to get stage wins. It was his aim...

And to think that Millener backed this claim, stage win in Acropolis... ha-ha...

[erikli2]

Thanks to the WRC+ commentator for explaining how a handbrake works. Never knew.

[Danny0405]

Good second split by Fourmaux (only 0.9s lost to Ogier, 2nd) after a disappointing first one. But a lot of loss after that
Overall, not excellent but better than GG and probably Loubet

[AnttiL]

How does Ogier manage almost a stage win in these conditions first on the road? Amazing!

Sordo and Neuville need to wake up.

[TypeR]

oh boy.. Mads losing a lot already..
IF it's pirelli.. :D

[Rallyper]

Problems for Mads...

[Danny0405]

Puncture for Ostberg; avoiding them might become the decisive factor for the WRC-2 title between him and Mikkelsen

[EstWRC]

How does Ogier manage almost a stage win in these conditions first on the road? Amazing!

Sordo and Neuville need to wake up.

because he has so much experience with it and the Toyotas is good with low grip and he is Ogier.

remember Tänak won also stages left and right in 2018 and 2019 starting from front

[Rallyper]

Did Serderidis pass medical test? Looked near a heart attack at finish...
(Asking for a mate)

[seb_sh]

So will Ostberg have another meltdown on this rally? It's a shame, this rally has a very good Rally2 field.

[AnttiL]

Did Serderidis pass medical test? Looked near a heart attack at finish...
(Asking for a mate)

My thoughts as well

[erikli2]

Why didn't Mads stop? Would've lost less time.
Edit: OK, probably not puncture..

[Rallyper]

Seems only RWD for Mads...

[AnttiL]

remember Tänak won also stages left and right in 2018 and 2019 starting from front

I don't remember any 2018 rally where he started first. In 2019 one stage win in Mexico and both runs of Turkey power stage (with no spare wheels and nothing to lose). And of course many stages in Finland but that's a different condition.

[AnttiL]

The beginning of SS3 is awesome wide and fast. But gets more technical at the end.

[Rallyper]

Evans problems before SS3

[Augury]

Problems for Evans, still hasnt started the stage.

[EstWRC]

i wonder if its real problems or games...

[AnttiL]

i wonder if its real problems or games...

Letting a Hyundai pass a Toyota at this phase of the rally? No way.

[krissucool]

i wonder if its real problems or games...

What? How does that even make any sense.

[AnttiL]

Evans's car is not working

[EstWRC]

its a real problem, i dont get it why there isnt a service on rallies like this

he is done now unfortunately

[Rally Hokkaido]

seems like evans has lost 3rd gear

[MentalParadox]

its a real problem, i dont get it why there isnt a service on rallies like this

he is done now unfortunately

You want service after every single stage? Maybe build cars that don't break after 1 stage instead, like they've been doing for half a century?

[jonkka]

So Evans started stage late, meaning he'll incur at least minute in penalties?

EDIT: Ah, organisers were fast, four mins late and 40sec penalty.

[AnttiL]

its a real problem, i dont get it why there isnt a service on rallies like this

he is done now unfortunately

They are doing 89 km of stages today. In some rally you could do almost that amount in one leg, before the day service. So it doesn't make much of a difference.

If you look at the layout of the rally on map, the service is in Lamia, start in Athens and today's morning stages near Corinth. It would take a long liaison to drive to Lamia for service. The other option of course would be to use only stages near Lamia, but to me this is more interesting.

[Rallyper]

Oliver fastest in RC2

[EstWRC]

They are doing 89 km of stages today. In some rally you could do almost that amount in one leg, before the day service. So it doesn't make much of a difference.

rallies are different and stages, on a rally like this i wouldnt mind it as its rougher

[AnttiL]

rallies are different and stages, on a rally like this i wouldnt mind it as its rougher

You don't get it. If the rally had a different layout they could do 80 km of stages in the morning and 80 km in the afternoon. Now they're doing 89 km during the whole day and then going to service in the evening.

[AnttiL]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-6VHpjXEAEtY4_?format=jpg&name=small

[wwbroe]

Taking the lead now, Kalle in front