Acropolis Rally Greece 2022 (8-11 Sep)

[bomber21]

SSS1 will take place in Athens Olympic Stadium, like the good old days (2005) when tickets were sold out (50000 rally fans were present).

Friday in Loutraki area with night SS, then the rally goes to Lamia for Saturday and Sunday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHEn2H84mofwwWqSm0vTCzGUiyvdGUc6/view
Rally Guide is out (in Greek only for now)

[tc10a]

SSS1 will take place in Athens Olympic Stadium, like the good old days (2005) when tickets were sold out (50000 rally fans were present).

Friday in Loutraki area with night SS, then the rally goes to Lamia for Saturday and Sunday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHEn2H84mofwwWqSm0vTCzGUiyvdGUc6/view
Rally Guide is out (in Greek only for now)

Not only in Greek - also in english since the beginning last week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SMbezA7-IPgjhW7lPzFXOvlpNP9UfWml/view

[RudiH]

will shakedown be again in lamia area or loutraki area?

[NOT]

will shakedown be again in lamia area or loutraki area?

comparing rally guide 1 from this year and from 2021 it will be different from last year. Distance from service park is different and also the stage kms are different.

but it will be close to Lamia

[RudiH]

thats the most important to know for hotel reservations

[NOT]

thats the most important to know for hotel reservations

comparison of shakedown locations 2021 vs 2022 using RG1 guides as reference

2021

SHAKEDOWN
The surface of the shakedown stage is gravel apart from one kilometer which is asphalt.
Length of the actual shakedown stage: 4.30 km.
Distance between the service park exit and the TC SD: 14.77 km
Distance between the SD finish and the parc fermé (SP): 19.50 km

2022

SHAKEDOWN
The surface of the shakedown stage is gravel.
Length of the actual shakedown stage: 3.66 km.
Distance between the service park exit and the TC SD: 15.21 km
Distance between the SD finish and the parc fermé (SP): 27.54 km

[subarurally]

Went to Greece last year for the WRC and had a blast! Going again this year. Waiting for the stages to be announced so I can start planning. Managed to snag an Airbnb in Lamia but only for Friday night...

[atsiotras79]

comparing rally guide 1 from this year and from 2021 it will be different from last year. Distance from service park is different and also the stage kms are different.

but it will be close to Lamia

It will be the road where 5-6 cars tested in last years Fthiotidos rally, the road going to the monastery if you know…
As you go for Domokos you pass the big gas station on your left and at the end of the long uphill straight there is a gravel road going down left 😉

[subarurally]

Looking at notes from last year it looks like the stage routes were released in early June. Hopefully they come out soon?...

[dimviii]

from French forum.

Loeb gave an interview for the newspaper l'Alsace today. We learn that he will do Greece in the WRC after Kenya. He had planned to do the Catalonia but the rally of Andalusia in rally raid was postponed to the same dates.
So we already know that he will not be at Mont Blanc because Greece is the same weekend.

[RudiH]

any news from Acropolis timing, stages, ...

[bomber21]

WOW! Can’t wait to see Loeb in Greece after so long!

[NOT]

from French forum.

Loeb gave an interview for the newspaper l'Alsace today. We learn that he will do Greece in the WRC after Kenya. He had planned to do the Catalonia but the rally of Andalusia in rally raid was postponed to the same dates.
So we already know that he will not be at Mont Blanc because Greece is the same weekend.

isn't that gay electric raid shit on the same date with acropolis ?

edit. Just checked... its not, great news... so maybe the butthurt Ogier will come as well to prove once more he is inferior to him.

[NOT]

there is going to be a rpess conference on the 20th of june where details about the stages and the rally will be announced.

[NOT]

the press conference is taking place right now and its broadcasted live on youtube, but the subhuman organisers made it available only in greece it seems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF9Z3EWf0NY

anyway stages and more info will be available soon i guess.

[bomber21]

https://www.viva.gr/tickets/sports/ekosss/

Book tickets for Olympic Stadium SSS.
Prices begin from 10 euros.

[bomber21]

Thursday
SSS1 Olympic Stadium of Athens

Friday
SS2 & SS4 Loutraki
SS3 Harvati
SS5 Dafni
SS6 Leivadia
SS7 Bauxites by night!!

Saturday
SS8 & SS11 Pyrgos
SS9 & SS12 Perivoli
SS10 & SS13 Tarzan

Sunday
SS14 Eleftherohori
SS15 Elateia
SS16 Eleftherohori PS

[Eli]

Thursday
SSS1 Olympic Stadium of Athens

Friday
SS2 & SS4 Loutraki
SS3 Harvati
SS5 Dafni
SS6 Leivadia
SS7 Bauxites by night!!

Saturday
SS8 & SS11 Pyrgos
SS9 & SS12 Perivoli
SS10 & SS13 Tarzan

Sunday
SS14 Eleftherohori
SS15 Elateia
SS16 Eleftherohori PS

How many competitive kms in total? Please let it be more than 300. Also, do they have mid-day service on Friday/Saturday?
Thanks!

[Fredouye]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220620/276fa6b42b1f58c3adaaec6390066117.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220620/43efbb47d64efbe32a0049fb5267791e.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220620/d1bde9b039497b1b1f72a3ff4765f637.jpg

[NOT]

nice itinerary

as usual i will go to some of the stages 1 week before the event and post here some nice hairpins with pictures and how to access them.

[Danny0405]

How many competitive kms in total? Please let it be more than 300. Also, do they have mid-day service on Friday/Saturday?
Thanks!

Don’t see SS5 Dafni in Fredouye’s picture but, if it is the same length than in a Greek national rally last year (21.37km), overall length should be around 310 km (probably 308-309) including the first Mickey Mouse stage. A bit better than last year (292)
First day is better than last year but the last day is really short

[bomber21]

https://www.4troxoi.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EKOAcropolis22_DraftItinerary.pdf

Draft itinerary

[subarurally]

Thanks for the maps/info.

I think my plan is SS2/SS4, drop my crap off in Lamia and then go see SS7

I have no idea which stages to pick on Saturday. (Pyrgos SS8/11, Perivoli SS9/12 or Tarzan SS10/13) Any advice? Figured it would only really work to pick one stage and watch both runs through it as trying to do 3 stages on Saturday looks difficult.

[bomber21]

please delete

[RudiH]

does anyone has the distance and timing of stage dafni ? hidden by translator in the image.

otherwise nice to see some very old stages being used again, SS Livadia probably almost equal to SS Evangelistria from 1998 and parts from SS Panagia/Evangelistria (1995), SS Dafni has parts from SS Ossios Meletios (1995)

[RudiH]

our 23rd visit to Acropolis Rally will probably look like:
Friday: Loutraki 2x + Livadia + Bauxites
Saturday : Pyrgos + Tarzan (each 2x)
Sunday : Eleftherohori (2x)

[subarurally]

Well, if it is really possible and feasible to make that trip from Pyrgos to Tarzan and see 4 stages Saturday I'd love to know how to do it. I didn't think I would have enough time to travel back and forth in time to see all of that.

We went last year and it was a struggle just to watch SS2&4 and make it to SS6 in time.

I'd like to do SSS1, SS2&4, SS7 on Friday and then as many stages as possible on Saturday.

[NOT]

Well, if it is really possible and feasible to make that trip from Pyrgos to Tarzan and see 4 stages Saturday I'd love to know how to do it. I didn't think I would have enough time to travel back and forth in time to see all of that.

We went last year and it was a struggle just to watch SS2&4 and make it to SS6 in time.

I'd like to do SSS1, SS2&4, SS7 on Friday and then as many stages as possible on Saturday.

this years programs seems more flexible.

just wait for the official announcement of the access to the stages, last year they did not provide many access roads and made spectating difficult, lets see if they improved this year.

[subarurally]

this years programs seems more flexible.

just wait for the official announcement of the access to the stages, last year they did not provide many access roads and made spectating difficult, lets see if they improved this year.

Yeah that's fair. I remember last year getting to stage 2&4 like 2 hours early and having to walk for almost an hour up the hill to the stage. Was not fun.

Hopefully they officially release stage info soon so I can keep planning!

[RudiH]

using rallymaps.com from previous editions you can already easily see how the stages will be, looking to the picture posted here before from the press conference

[bomber21]

Full maps and itinerary are now out

Maps
https://www.acropolisrally.gr/portal/en/spectators/maps-sp

Itinerary
https://www.acropolisrally.gr/portal/en/spectators/itinerary-sp

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
edit: SS7 Bauxites 22.97 0:03 17:48

This does not look like Bauxites by night :P

edit2: Organizers say that after Rally Kenya, FIA do not want night SS in gravel, they consider it dangerous because of the low visibility.

[subarurally]

Hmm, interesting change in times. And no detailed maps yet to show access/spectating areas...

[subarurally]

Well, guess we will try to do:

Friday: SS2, SS4, SS6 (if we can make that drive in time)
Sat: Not sure what to do to see the most stages possible.... SS8-->SS10-->SS12? Not sure if that is possible with drive times...
Sun: SS14

[NOT]

ss6 livadia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNthx405468

Eleftheroxori

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9jZMXPufbw

not my videos.

Loutraki is very close to athens and to be honest it could be cancelled (had a 30min+ delay after the WRCs passed last year due to spectator problems) since its very convenient to spectate it 2 times and then go to another one, so most subhuman plebs and pro photographers will go there.... so it could be a trap... but on the postitive side with gas close to 3 euro in Greece some poor plebs might not go at all to the rally...

will wait for the detailed stage maps then decide which ones i will recce to spectate.

[NOT]

detailed maps of the stages

https://www.rally-maps.com/Acropolis-Rally-of-Greece-2022

so basically Harvati uses a part of last years lutraki but in the opposite direction, and lutraki this year uses a part of last years agioi theodoroi again in the opposite direction.

[NOT]

the first 6 or so kms of Harvati are the same as the shakedown of 2012... very entertaining

my pictures from 2012 SD

https://imgur.com/a/WUQPW1a

[NOT]

ss dafni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-hvieRTkb4

not my video.

it does not look very interesting... but again its hard to judge from these videos.

will most likely recce shakedown-harvati-livadia-dafni for friday have not made my mind for saturdays stages, and will skip sunday.

[bomber21]

Hyundai Hellas will sponsor two Greek crews to compete in Acropolis Rally 2022 with i20 N Rally2.

Athanassoulas/Zakchaios and Stefanis/Stefanis.
Athanassoulas is mostly known for his podiums in ERC years and elder Stefanis is maybe the most successful Greek co-driver.

https://www.hyundai.gr/hyundai-motorsport/hyundai-hellas-rally-teams/

[NOT]

Hyundai Hellas will sponsor two Greek crews to compete in Acropolis Rally 2022 with i20 N Rally2.

Athanassoulas/Zakchaios and Stefanis/Stefanis.
Athanassoulas is mostly known for his podiums in ERC years and elder Stefanis is maybe the most successful Greek co-driver.

https://www.hyundai.gr/hyundai-motorsport/hyundai-hellas-rally-teams/

i wonder if Stefanis is faster than any rally4 cars... it will be great success if he is.

[subarurally]

Rally 2 guide supposed to be out today? Would love some updated maps of the stages to figure out where to park etc..

[NOT]

Rally 2 guide supposed to be out today? Would love some updated maps of the stages to figure out where to park etc..

submission for entries deadline was on friday., i guess we are going to have some upadates on the website this week or the next...

[subarurally]

Rally Guide 2 is listed on the website but is password protected...

[J4MIE]

Rally Guide 2 is listed on the website but is password protected...

It’s annoying for us fans with a carrot dangling in front of us….;( :disturb:
Some events you can get the info for.

[Andre Oliveira]

70 entries, 13 Rally1 (6 Ford)

https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/73366-eko-acropolis-rally-greece-2022/

[mknight]

- Expected Ogier to do more rallies now that his circuit program seems to be reduced.

- no Solberg in Rally2

- no Kajetanowicz which is kinda weird. He did it last year and imo had better chances for good results here than in Spain. Does he plan to do both NZ and Japan then? (He can wait to see Mikkelsen and Rossels results in Ypres and Greece and then see if it's worth going to Japan).

[Danny0405]

- Expected Ogier to do more rallies now that his circuit program seems to be reduced.

- no Solberg in Rally2

- no Kajetanowicz which is kinda weird. He did it last year and imo had better chances for good results here than in Spain. Does he plan to do both NZ and Japan then? (He can wait to see Mikkelsen and Rossels results in Ypres and Greece and then see if it's worth going to Japan).

Ogier is not that much of a surprise for me, some medias told he could increase his rally program but he was pretty clear he wouldn’t do more than NZ + another one which is probably Japan.

Kajto is a bit more surprising indeed because, even if he does NZ+Japan, it might not be enough for the championship (depending on PS points also): Mikkelsen may win Belgium+Acropolis and even if he is only 2nd in one of them, Kajto is absolutely not sure of winning in NZ against Paddon when we took a look at what Paddon did in Finland. So clearly risky to do it with only 6 rounds; maybe we will see him in Catalunya (as the cars his team rents come from a Spanish team, so maybe it’s a bit less expensive) but I would have seen Acropolis most efficient for him.

Some other surprises IMO:
- 6 M-Sport is a bit surprising to me with the shipment for NZ-Japan;
- no Joona in WRC-3 Open (even if registered in Junior) whereas he has one round remaining and win was pretty easy there.
- Mikkelsen and Bulacia are registered as Team for Toksport whereas Toksport I has already used 5 rallies + Belgium where they are registered as such from my understanding; so normally, they shouldn’t be able to make another rally as Team.

[NOT]

individual stage maps are now available onthe website, but no info on access points yet.

Its a nice entry list.

sometime after the 20th of august i will visit some stages and will report on the places i found and where they are.

The plan is to go through shakedown, loutraki, harvati. livadia, pyrgos and perivoli... i will not go through the whole of the stages just a few kms from them in order to see the spots i already spotted though the youtube recce videos...

Friday stages are very interesting, saturday stages are complete dog shit from a spectators point of view, sundays stages are good also but i will not spectate sunday. Just wish that saturday and sunday were reversed as stages go.

[subarurally]

Thanks for this NOT.

I still think my plan is:
Thursday: SSS1

Friday: SS2-4, SS6
Wanted to park somewhere near the start of SS2-4 and maybe just hike up a bit past the start line. Should be able to park somewhere in that little village?? Probably leave SS4 after half the cars come through to make it to SS6 in time.

Sat: SS 10-13?
I have no idea on what to do Sat to maximize how many stages I can see. It really looks difficult to see more than 2 stages with the drive time, unknowns of the roads, parking etc. We are not spectating on Sunday.

[bomber21]

Thanks for this NOT.

I still think my plan is:
Thursday: SSS1

Friday: SS2-4, SS6
Wanted to park somewhere near the start of SS2-4 and maybe just hike up a bit past the start line. Should be able to park somewhere in that little village?? Probably leave SS4 after half the cars come through to make it to SS6 in time.

Sat: SS 10-13?
I have no idea on what to do Sat to maximize how many stages I can see. It really looks difficult to see more than 2 stages with the drive time, unknowns of the roads, parking etc. We are not spectating on Sunday.
Why not SS7 on Friday? This way you will not be in rush.

Parking used to be easy around Loutraki stage, I do not think this have changed.

For Saturday, I believe we must choose one of the stages and just stay there for the two passes. Then spend the day in the service park.

My schedule is similar to yours. SS1 and then stay overnight into Loutraki stage for both passes and then SS7.

[subarurally]

Yeah we are doing similar...

SS1 then driving to stay in Loutraki overnight. Get up early and do 2&4.

We were going to do SS7 but our Airbnb wont let us check in real late on Friday night so we gotta be in Lamia at a reasonable time.

[NOT]

everything you need to visit the stages are now online with google earth maps and access roads on the acropolis website.

Tomorrow i will visit the shakedown and ss11 and ss12 and will post what i found here... the stages seem to be rather boring for spectating but we will see if that is the case.

Around early september (1-2) i will visit the friday of the stages which look far better than those of saturdays.

[AnttiL]

https://www.rally-maps.com/Acropolis-Rally-of-Greece-2022

4 km was cut off from the end of SS5. There would have been a short worn tarmac bit. Quite boring stage actually.

[NOT]

https://www.rally-maps.com/Acropolis-Rally-of-Greece-2022

4 km was cut off from the end of SS5. There would have been a short worn tarmac bit. Quite boring stage actually.

yes ss5 is a worthless stage same as the saturday ones...

[NOT]

after careful consideration i decided to cancel my tomorrows trip to the stages... they are not worth the efford. I will just go through the fridays stages in september.

Do not really know why the organisers choose saturdays stages... they are uniteresting and bad from a specating point of view.

for this year i will just spectate the shakedpwn and fridays stages.

[Yugo_para_siempre]

The last 4 kms that were cut from the end of SS5 Dafni, are mainly gravel, barely some meters of old worn asphalt.
I think you underrate this stage.
It has quite a lot fast places for an Acropolis.
Also before the cut of last 4 kms it had many places at the end, easily accessible from spectators from the main asphalt road above the stage.
I do not know the reason of cut.
But this way you make the spectators to avoid parking at the aforementioned main asphalt road, because the new stage end is too far away.
Also the current stage end is a few hundred meters before the stage reaches the Monastery of Profitis Ilias.
Maybe the priests did not want the noise of a fully attacking rally car.

But generally I agree that Saturday's stages are a bit of a surprise.
Especially SS9 - SS12 Perivoli, despite it has beautiful landscape, it is boring.
The other 2 are not bad, but without many places to spectate.
At Saturday we usually expect.
Pavliani.
Gravia (the downhill version of Drosohori included last year).
Karoutes (the whole original downhill stage, not the uphill portion of it that is included in the recent extended version of Bauxites).
Even Kaloskopi or Stromi (is one stage but the name depends on where the start is) has something beautiful and classic to provide, the fir tree forest with Gkiona mountain at the background.
None of them are included and I really miss them.

The best stage maybe is Livadia.
But I would really like after 5.8 kms to continue to the west, out of Koronia village, at the current asphalt road that used to be gravel at old Evangelistria version.
This asphalt road of about 6 kms is currently evacuation and spectator access road.
Since I drove this part recently, I can assure you that it had so many places for spectators and also fast and flowing spots. With gravel tyres on asphalt, would have been fantastic.
Now the stage at 5.8 turns to the south and after 6 more not spectacular kms meets again with the old version of the stage until the finish to the fir tree forest of Elikonas.
Generally a very good stage with variety of road sections, accesses, spectators spots and landscapes.

[subarurally]

Wanted to see if anybody had any ideas on where I could park so I could leave SS4 a little early?

I don't want to park on the access road if it is not allowed or will impede traffic (I don't know how wide that road is) Maybe park near that little village further North and walk to the start of the SS.

I fear that if I park in the designated area that I will be stuck for a long time till the end of SS4.

2302

[DoN_cz]

I'd like to try the access road to that stage at 5.3 km in. Actually, I had that in plan already last year, but there was a queue of cars (there was one rough section where cars were getting stuck), so I decided to park on side and run for 2-3 km up the hill until I reached the stage. But there were hundreds of cars up there and many of them arrived later, so it WAS possible to get through. There's a lot of space so leaving earlier shouldn't be problem.

My plan is (so far) similar to yours: 2-4-6 for Friday. On SS 6 I'd like to arrive at 11.68km into the stage. On SS 5 (according to recce onboards) is a nice section of fast flowing bends in open area at 7.92 km, but according to the spectator guide, that access road is suitable only for 4x4 or Enduro bikes - anyone (NOT?) can confirm this? No chance with regular car? (well we should have some kind of SUV, but that doesnt mean much).

[AnttiL]

The last 4 kms that were cut from the end of SS5 Dafni, are mainly gravel, barely some meters of old worn asphalt.
I think you underrate this stage.
It has quite a lot fast places for an Acropolis.
Also before the cut of last 4 kms it had many places at the end, easily accessible from spectators from the main asphalt road above the stage.
I do not know the reason of cut.
But this way you make the spectators to avoid parking at the aforementioned main asphalt road, because the new stage end is too far away.
Also the current stage end is a few hundred meters before the stage reaches the Monastery of Profitis Ilias.
Maybe the priests did not want the noise of a fully attacking rally car.

The monastery is indeed the reason, they have some national monument status.

[MartijnS]

Anybody knows if the road to the watersplash is really too hard for a Hyundai Tucson? ;)

[Eli]

Anybody knows if the road to the water splash is really too hard for a Hyundai Tucson? ;)

Wouldn't risk it, even if it's a pre-2009 model.

[NOT]

Anybody knows if the road to the watersplash is really too hard for a Hyundai Tucson? ;)

will visit the stage and the access roads next weekend (sep 1st) and let you know, i visited the watersplash back in 2012 and the road was fine back then, should be ok but will let you know.

[NOT]

Anybody knows if the road to the watersplash is really too hard for a Hyundai Tucson? ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE4R-2GIr2o

well everything is completely dry at the moment (the watersplash is at 10.05 of the video) and there is an even bigger one at 4.55 (but i do not know if it fills with water or not.

we expect heavy rains thoughout the country this week so i will let you know when i visit them if they are dry or not.

[AnttiL]

https://itgetsfasternow.com/2022/08/23/route-preview-acropolis-rally-greece-2022/

All stages will have varying surfaces (rough/smooth) and characters (technical/straightforward).

[mknight]

"SSS1 Athens Olympic Stadium twin-car super special. The last time this stage was used in 2005 and 2006. It’s a new configuration but still run on a tarmac surface – mostly narrow between fences with a jump on the crossover. Like always, there is nothing to lose but everything to win."

Intended joke? :)

[AnttiL]

"SSS1 Athens Olympic Stadium twin-car super special. The last time this stage was used in 2005 and 2006. It’s a new configuration but still run on a tarmac surface – mostly narrow between fences with a jump on the crossover. Like always, there is nothing to lose but everything to win."

Intended joke? :)

LOL thanks for mentioning that :D I was changing how that was expressed and messed up my brain

[Danny0405]

Very interesting rally to come IMO
A lot of drivers are playing one of their last bullets of the season for their future:
- Lappi is not guaranteed to be kept by Toyota, a strong result here could help him to convince the brand of to be in Hyundai’s vision
- clearly, it could be Fourmaux’s last chance to save his future in international rallye; a mistake and I would be very surprised to see him in New Zealand. Probably not a big performance to wait still as he will have orders
- Loubet will only have one round remaining after this one (and should be complicated to show himself on tarmac in Catalunya)
- one of the 2 last chances for Rally2 drivers to show their skills, especially the one targeting Rally1 for next season such as Mikkelsen, Suninen, Huttunen, Rossel...

In addition to that, Evans has found some consistency in the last 4 rallies and Neuville will finally have an interesting road position. And for sure, what can do the Breen-Loeb combo for M-Sport?

[NOT]

Evans tested today in greece, the stage looks like the first kms of pavliani, but i am not sure

https://youtu.be/Gcp0yMYHrpk

[atsiotras79]

Old SS Elikonas…

[Vaggelis27]

No rally Acropolis for Fourmaux.M-sport can't fix on time the Puma after Ypres crash.

[cali]

No rally Acropolis for Fourmaux.M-sport can't fix on time the Puma after Ypres crash.Right... Not knowing the real damage but the car Kalle destroyed was fixed overnight

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[meh]

No rally Acropolis for Fourmaux.M-sport can't fix on time the Puma after Ypres crash.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/fourmaux-withdraws-from-acropolis/

[Hartusvuori]

Right... Not knowing the real damage but the car Kalle destroyed was fixed overnight

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

I think it's just one of telling Fourmaux that you are benched.

Also, M-Sport was planning to field six cars there, so maybe they are really short of material.

[Danny0405]

I think it's just one of telling Fourmaux that you are benched.

Also, M-Sport was planning to field six cars there, so maybe they are really short of material.

Well, I was a bit wondering if M-Sport would be really able to enter 6 cars in case of problem in Ypres with the Pacific shipments coming soon after (+ at least 4 cars in Catalunya) but yeah, the damages from Ypres on Fourmaux’s car doesn’t sound that big.
More like a benching as you said or a will to save money/parts with maybe sponsors not wanting to put extra-money for all the cars he has broken (but as I told before, it should have been done earlier in the season).
However, with no Greece, I’m not sure he’s the best solution for NZ after that (would more see Loubet personally because it’s the last time this season M-Sport can use the road position). For Catalunya, it’s different as they don’t have many options for tarmac.

Well anyway, now, he is in the eye of the (shit)storm. Let’s see if he can answer as Solberg did in Ypres. It’s in that type of situation that you can reveal your character or fade completly.

[cali]

I think it's just one of telling Fourmaux that you are benched.

Also, M-Sport was planning to field six cars there, so maybe they are really short of material.That's what I was saying

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[wyler]

i think is in between...they could probably fix it in time with an extra effort, but probably is not worth it money and time wise. plus, it becomes an "educational" bonus...

[er88]

It's still a tinpot mentality from the team

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's still a tinpot mentality from the team

Give it a rest with the constant sniping. I wouldnt blame Msport if they pulled out of WRC if all rally 'fans' were like you.

1. You dont know the facts of the damage
2. They dont have the resources of Toyota/ Hyundai
3. They run more Rally1 cars than anyone

If you want to blame anyone its Ford. But they aren't in great shape financially either...

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/richmillener/status/1562526419624022026?s=21&t=vqy6QDw2j9LWIYuyhkLF2Q

[subarurally]

Anybody know the best chance to snag an Autograph from a driver/co-driver? I was not sure if there is a meet and greet before Thursdays SS stage or if you have to just try to get one at the service park?

[mknight]

https://twitter.com/richmillener/status/1562526419624022026?s=21&t=vqy6QDw2j9LWIYuyhkLF2Q

How hard were they trying to convince Serdenidis to drop his start and give the car to Fourmaux?

[TypeR]

How hard were they trying to convince Serdenidis to drop his start and give the car to Fourmaux?
Why should they?
Guy bought the car and it's his home rally.

If it was last event and WDC depended on it, maybe then.

Serderidis has 6p out of two events, Fourmaux 9p out of 9. Not smart yo ruin connections with ,,top,, client for couple possible points?

[rallyfiend]

How hard were they trying to convince Serdenidis to drop his start and give the car to Fourmaux?

on past performance they'd be better off just nominating Serderidis for manufacturer points rather than pushing for Fourmaux to drive....

[mknight]

I suppose they can now change the nominated car.

Will they nominate Greensmith or Loubet?

Most likely Greensmith, but if they put Loubet it sends a signal. So far my impression was that (at least the PR) threats him a bit differently. More as an "external customer" than a part of the "main" team.

[AnttiL]

Pretty sure it will be Greensmith

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-can-we-read-into-the-fourmaux-situation/

[bomber21]

Detailed info about SSS
https://www-gazzetta-gr.translate.goog/gmotion/2145245/eko-rally-akropolis-ayti-einai-i-ypereidiki-toy-oaka?_x_tr_sl=el&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=el&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[Fredouye]

Anybody know the best chance to snag an Autograph from a driver/co-driver? I was not sure if there is a meet and greet before Thursdays SS stage or if you have to just try to get one at the service park?

Best place / time IMHO is during the recce. I go there every year in Monte Carlo and Spain, you can have a chat with the drivers, especially when they a have a break / are having lunch. Usually it’s easy to know where and when to see them. Last year in Greece we met M-Sport and WRC2 drivers in a restaurant, it was nice.

You can also meet them during private tests, some WRC2 teams are running just before the recce.

If you’re lucky, you can meet the drivers in the service park. In Sardaigna 3 months ago I bought à 1/43 model of Neuville’s i20, and a few minutes later I ran into him (and the M-Sport drivers) :)

[matek22]

Lappi crashed on test???

[bomber21]

Lappi crashed on test???
Yes, this is what people who were in the tests say in the greek facebook groups.

[NOT]

Yes

https://twitter.com/henrylaane/status/1563070217999200256?t=7mu06HldnOs7nx5t0koBVw&s=19

[dimviii]

Sofia Siriatou
@sophia_wrc
·
1h
Sebastien Loeb and Isabelle Galmiche had an exit during their pre-event test for Acropolis Rally Greece which was caused by brake failure! #WRC #AcropolisRally #AcropolisRallyGreece


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbGkQoiWAAA0r8Z?format=jpg&name=small

[Rallyper]

Those big stones can damage everything on a rallycar. A speciality in this rally. Big stones I mean.

[dimviii]

It wasnt from stone,brake hose failure.
Happened again the same morning,and at Monte pet too...

[Rallyper]

Why does brake hose failure if not from outside missile? Or was it bad controls of certain batch?

[Rallyper]

Rally Greece will be hardest test this year. If Hyundai rear will be good or not probably means nothing. The driver who wins is the one with least problems...

[seb_sh]

Rally Greece will be hardest test this year. If Hyundai rear will be good or not probably means nothing. The driver who wins is the one with least problems...

So a Toyota driver then? The Hyundai is fickle and MSport has a bad reliability record this year... Rovanpera's start position isn't great, maybe Evans and Lappi can get the win then? Katsuta should aim for a good result as well.

[AnttiL]

Rally Greece will be hardest test this year. If Hyundai rear will be good or not probably means nothing. The driver who wins is the one with least problems...

It's not as tough and rough event as it was in the past. I would say Sardinia is rougher, and Hyundai did pretty well in Sardinia this year...of course there are rough stages and sections, but also very smooth and fast ones. Many old rough stages like Tarzan have been repaired to be smoother.

[DoN_cz]

Am I right thinking there should be no tyre saving on stage 15, as the crews will go into service park before heading to Powerstage?

Of course there may still be some cruising if the gaps are big...

[Rallyper]

It's not as tough and rough event as it was in the past. I would say Sardinia is rougher, and Hyundai did pretty well in Sardinia this year...of course there are rough stages and sections, but also very smooth and fast ones. Many old rough stages like Tarzan have been repaired to be smoother.

Maybe not. I don´t know stages this year, but talk from experience from 2012. If any stage is same as Aghia Marina was back then, my words will be true.

[AnttiL]

Maybe not. I don´t know stages this year, but talk from experience from 2012. If any stage is same as Aghia Marina was back then, my words will be true.

Yeah. Well I've looked at the onboards from the stages that were run last year and recce videos from this year, but obviously I haven't been there personally to check the situation. But last year the rally was mostly smooth. I would say SS2+4 and SS3 will be the roughest ones, as well as some sections on SS5, SS6 and the power stage.

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/dirtfishrally/status/1564607770749435914?s=21&t=fhfsJWFS3BZQ_TPYprUqMw

Brynildsen steps in for injured Bulacia

[mknight]

https://twitter.com/dirtfishrally/status/1564607770749435914?s=21&t=fhfsJWFS3BZQ_TPYprUqMw

Brynildsen steps in for injured Bulacia

Guess the injury explains Bulacias "invisible" performance in Ypres.

Anyway his insanely bad season just got even worse,. In Greece last year he was fighting for win in his by far best performance of the year.

[skarderud]

Really cool that Eyvind is the "super-reserve" in toksport, remember him said last time 1,5 year ago that it was probably his last stage in WRC .



Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[atsiotras79]

Yeah. Well I've looked at the onboards from the stages that were run last year and recce videos from this year, but obviously I haven't been there personally to check the situation. But last year the rally was mostly smooth. I would say SS2+4 and SS3 will be the roughest ones, as well as some sections on SS5, SS6 and the power stage.

Also the last half of the penultimate stage, the downhill part after the water until the end will get digged enough…

[MartijnS]

Dry and hot weather next week it seems! :)

[Eli]

Dry and hot weather next week it seems! :)

Is that in Lamia or Loutraki?

[MartijnS]

Both according to my iPhone haha

[NOT]

Went throught he shakedown and ss Livadia today. both very nice stages. Livadia is by far the best stage of friday and probably the whole rally. its a real shame that the organisers only run it once. it easily has 2-3 top spots to spectate from (i only did 5kms of the whole stage).


shakedown is also very interesting but the huge drawback is it does not have ample space for the spectaotrs to sit and i noticed some ribbons in ridiculous places 10-20 meters from the road... this is greece not finland. we are eurasians not some low life subhumans westerners to watch events with binoculars... i put doen 3 places to spactate from in the shakedown.

tomorrow i will visit the Harvati and Loutraki (again not the whole stages but 5-10km from each) and on sunday i will post pictures in here along with the km the places are in.

[bomber21]

Official Rally Programme will be delivered for free to SSS spectators on Thursday. Also can be bought today for free with local newspapers.

[NOT]

just got back from harvati and loutraki

not a single drop of wter int he waterspasahes and unless the organisers use water trucks i doubt they are going to have any during the event... the whole stream is completely dry.

however the rains really shaped the stage and created some really nice spots.

will post everything tomorrow with pictures and kms for each place.

[NOT]

Ok before I start I must say that the organizers are a bunch of subhuman idiots… it’s the most unfriendly acropolis to spectators since I visit it back in 97. With that out of the way lets start

Shakedown.
Honestly the people who choose that stage for a shakedown are retarded and they should have a chromosome count asap because their number is definitely off.

The stage is ok but it literally has no place to sit and watch, the slopes are covered in thick bushes with thorns that you cannot go though, if a lot of people decide to go then its going to be a nightmare. Plus you have to walk 1 to 4 km if you want to watch something nice.

The first spot I found is just about 100m from the start, of course the cars will not have any speed but there is a bump in the middle so if they go a bit wide they will have to go through it.

https://imgur.com/a/qikbefx

The second place is at 1.4kms from the start…. A nice little crest that it could be a small lift off or at least a suspension rise, and although its maybe the only place that could easily accommodate a lot of people they have put the ribbons around 20 meters from the road so you will not be able to see the car since there is a small bank…. But if they come to their senses and let the people go beyond the ribbons then it should be a nice place.

https://imgur.com/a/vBfzTN6

The best place to spectate is at 1.7km there is a very nice corner with a crest in the middle that will definitely throw the cars off balance, followed by a 90degrees around 50 meters ahead, there is a place for some specators as well but not too many, maybe 30-50 people if you cramp them.

https://imgur.com/a/ov5skNn

Ss2 Loutraki
I fear this stage can easily be cancelled. Its infested with no spectator areas especially in the very nice downhill section towards the end (the last few kms) but is has some nice places.

500meters from RP4 on the maps towards the end of the stage there is a nice uphill corner that has a bump on the inside I expect the cars to lift their inside wheel quite a lot if they decide to hit the apex deep. It should be a nice indicator to see who is a rally driver and who is an untrained dog.

https://imgur.com/a/HSOY4c2

6.5km from rp4 right on the spectator access its avery tricky spot… cannot really tell how the drivers are going to tackle it, it could be super boring or super exciting. The heavy rains really formed the terrain there…. The driver can really cut the whole corner, but also the place is infested with spectator no go areas… last year I was on that corner but was run as an uphill section.

https://imgur.com/a/EBAHdDH

6.7km from rp4 there is a nice fast corner with a bump on the inside, it should be good especially if the drivers decide to go over the big bank on the right. But again no go areas everywhwre…

https://imgur.com/a/1meZedV

SS 3 Harvati
For me this is second best stage of the day after livadia. No watersplashes this year the river was completely dry. but some nice spots.

2.4kms from the start it’s a very nice place a small jump and then a medium right over a small bridge like structure, if they go deep into the apex there is a hole to put their wheel there.

https://imgur.com/a/JAOtnd3

3.2km from the start. A very high speed dip that used to have water… you see the car coming with a lot of speed and then they tackle the dip… will they jump ? will they go nose first ? tricky place… I most likely be there just out of curiosity. The picture does not do the place justice… since its very steep, a thing that you cannot capture in 2d pictures or videos.

https://imgur.com/a/9qMQ12l

4.4kms a very nice crest possibly a small jump or suspension lift and then into a righ hander… an ok place.

https://imgur.com/a/pnYbYu7

At 6.1km it is the watersplash… but there is not water this year and the river created a very big bank as well so the place the cars have to go through is very narrow, the place look completely different since 2012 I visited, they could even use the handbrake to bring the car into it. About 20 meters before is a tree very close to the road at the top of the apex where tanak damaged his wheel at the sd of 2012.

https://imgur.com/a/yD0uyoU

Now lets see what the BEST FUCKING STAGE of the rally has to offer… of course the stupid subhuman idiots they organized the even only run it once… they could run it 3 times and still it would not be enough to see all the places.
You want to see a really big jump ? you go at 9.3kms from the start (sorry for the pictures there is a goat pen nearby guarded by 7 rabbid dogs so I could not go outside the car.

https://imgur.com/a/cGYTyik

You want to see a smaller jump but in an open area you go at 9.7kms

https://imgur.com/a/BlYUkjZ

You want to see the cars coming from a tight steep downhill section into a wide open area with a view (not many places to stand though) you go at 11.8km

https://imgur.com/a/1fVK0Cf

You want to see the cars going through a hairpin onto asphalt and then into a tight right you go at 12.9 (again not too many places to have a nice view).

https://imgur.com/a/w4NGRnD

That’s all folks if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[DoN_cz]

You want to see the cars coming from a tight steep downhill section into a wide open area with a view (not many places to stand though) you go at 11.8km

That's the place I have marked down as potentionally interesting according to the YouTube recce videos. I want to use this access road (https://www.rally-maps.com/Acropolis-Rally-of-Greece-2022#/gps/38.327316,22.912588), rather than the one at 12.8 km as I expect too many people there and I want to avoid that. Do you think the access road that I linked is doable with normal car?

[subarurally]

Ss2 Loutraki
I fear this stage can easily be cancelled. Its infested with no spectator areas especially in the very nice downhill section towards the end (the last few kms) but is has some nice places.



Yikes, my plan was to hike maybe a km or two past the start of SS2/4 and watch all of SS2 and leave about halfway through SS4 so we can make it to SS6 in time to see that stage. You think this will be possible or will they be restricting this too much? Looking at last years run (in reverse) there were plenty of little spots with people along that end of the section.

Otherwise, any advice on where else to go spectate 2&4 and still make it in time to check out SS6? (We have just a normal road car rental)

Thanks again for all the info

[DoN_cz]

See my post #57, I have same plan like you. I want to use access road at 5.3 km into SS 2/4 (hopefully I can make it all the way up and reach the stage). For the first pass I'd like to go at like ~6 km into the stage. For second pass I'd stay somewhere near the access road at 5.3 km so that I can leave after few R5 cars.

[subarurally]

See my post #57, I have same plan like you. I want to use access road at 5.3 km into SS 2/4 (hopefully I can make it all the way up and reach the stage). For the first pass I'd like to go at like ~6 km into the stage. For second pass I'd stay somewhere near the access road at 5.3 km so that I can leave after few R5 cars.

Was just rereading your post actually. We have a small car rental and I don't know how bad that road will be. We are planning on leaving several hours prior to the start of SS2 to find a place to park so we don't have to walk so far. (Last year we went to RP3 @7.52km on the stage and walked uphill for like an hour since there was no parking and it was terrible.)

[NOT]

Yikes, my plan was to hike maybe a km or two past the start of SS2/4 and watch all of SS2 and leave about halfway through SS4 so we can make it to SS6 in time to see that stage. You think this will be possible or will they be restricting this too much? Looking at last years run (in reverse) there were plenty of little spots with people along that end of the section.

Otherwise, any advice on where else to go spectate 2&4 and still make it in time to check out SS6? (We have just a normal road car rental)

Thanks again for all the info

well last year when the stage was running uphill the stage was delayed for about 30mins after the wrcs due to spectator issues... i will go to the stage as ell but to the second pass only and hope for the best, if is see that the first pass was in trouble i might just go to livadia and skip loutraki or i will go to a spot nean an access point to leave fast if the stage gets cancelled.

[NOT]

That's the place I have marked down as potentionally interesting according to the YouTube recce videos. I want to use this access road (https://www.rally-maps.com/Acropolis-Rally-of-Greece-2022#/gps/38.327316,22.912588), rather than the one at 12.8 km as I expect too many people there and I want to avoid that. Do you think the access road that I linked is doable with normal car?

the road you have there is marked as ambulance exit road so they might block it during the event. but i do not know if they do.

[NOT]

today i witnessed one of the biggest rainstorms in my life in my city which is 500km away from the stages... but if the situation is like that for the rest of the country the following days we might have some water in the watersplashes... i guess recce photos will give us a clear picture the following days.

[WRCStan]

It should be a nice indicator to see who is a rally driver and who is an untrained dog.

...

That’s all folks if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Have you been approached yet to go into the commentary booth with Becs?

[NOT]

Have you been approached yet to go into the commentary booth with Becs?

i doubt they want a person speaking the truth in there...

its still raining by the way... i have not seen so much rain in my life... its like a thunderstorm lasting 2.30 hours so far and it still going... they say the rain will move towards the area of the rally tomorrow, at least the stages close to lamia....

cannot wait to see the condition of the stages tomorrow when the recce starts.

[Tauri_J]

Yup its showing Rain on monday and then it should be dry for rest of the weekend.

[Rallyper]

You did a solid job NOT.
Never seen that good job before, only from Rally Finland there are similar recces from privateers...

[NOT]

just realised that the worthless subhuman organisers decided to fuck up Loutraki as well... so the first spot i noted is non existent (https://imgur.com/a/HSOY4c2) what a bunch of dogs.... pity because it would be amazing since the cars would carry amazing speed....

so the guys who posted that video did the same mistake as myself the actual stage goes to the right not not the the left at 17.50....

https://youtu.be/OzkLcFNlEgI

I am absolutely certain that the dogs who organised the event did not go through the stages... or they are a bunch of bottom feeding invertebrates.

[AnttiL]

so the guys who posted that video did the same mistake as myself the actual stage goes to the right not not the the left at 17.50....

https://youtu.be/OzkLcFNlEgI


Where is this informed?

[NOT]

in the official acropolis maps of the stage

https://imgur.com/a/rTLA9Aw

the guys followed the green line while the stage makes a loop... you can check it on the map they have in their video as well they go straight and not right through the loop... its a pity because the place would be gold.

[er88]

How many stages get cancelled this weekend? At least 2 might be a good bet

[Christos Kolperiadis]

The stage is going straight if you see the Google earth maps from the official site of the rally.

Sent from my Redmi 5 Plus using Tapatalk

[bomber21]

OK, let’s stop the speculation about cancellations. We shall see if something will happen. Don’t be miserable and enjoy the rally.

[AnttiL]

in the official acropolis maps of the stage

https://imgur.com/a/rTLA9Aw

the guys followed the green line while the stage makes a loop... you can check it on the map they have in their video as well they go straight and not right through the loop... its a pity because the place would be gold.

It has to be a mistake with the map makers. Even the kilometres indicating the RP's are matching the route without the loop.

EDIT: Just got it confirmed, it's a mistake on the spectator map, the stage hasn't changed.

[NOT]

ok thats good news then...

stupid organisers.

[DoN_cz]

Anyone got plans for Sunday? I don't NEED to see two stages, I could live with seeing only the middle one (if there is a nice spot and perhaps can expect a bit less spectators). But it has oficially only one access point in the second half, and according to the spectator guide, it is suitable only for 4x4 and enduro. Though I see there's another access (just not mentioned in the guide) from East -either from Zeli or from North East from Karya. Ive been told the road from Karya has 500m of rough terrain, but perhaps SUV could do it (would be better option for us to use this road, as we are staying in Kamena Vourla). Interesting that the road from Zeli is not drawn in any maps - except the rally map. And also there was a rally stage in 2003. You can see on satelitte images that there is some road, but it's just not drawn in the map.

[NOT]

the first place in Harvati was not very spectacular back in 2012

https://youtu.be/HDZc3PKBmwY of course the cars are a lot faster now.

[dimviii]

Drivers’ quotes:

#69 Kalle ROVANPERÄ / Jonne HALTTUNEN

“So far the stages are quite good. The road condition is fine, except for some parts which are rougher than last year. The surface is not so loose, but in some sections, there are a lot of stones. On Friday it will be bad for us with due to the starting order.”

#8 Ott TÄNAK / Martin JÄRVEOJA

“The stages are in a good condition. It’s quite ok. Still muddy in some places, but nothing dramatic. They look nice.”

#11 Thierry NEUVILLE / Martijn WYDAEGHE

“Is a good mix of smooth and rough parts, with fast or narrow and twisty sections. It’s a little bit of everything! I think it will be dry. I hope on the first day we’ll have a good road position. Then we’ll see what will happen. The road position is more important for the Friday stages.”

#33 Elfyn EVANS Scott MARTIN

“The conditions are quite mixed, obviously because of the weather. But I think it will be quite different during the weekend. In some places is rougher than last year. But not everywhere, it’s quite similar with 2021.”

#18 Takamoto KATSUTA / Aaron JOHNSTON

“It’s rougher than last year. There are more rocks on the ground. I didn’t participate last year so it’s new for me.”

#4 Esapekka LAPPI / Janne FERM

“It’s not so rough as I expected. The stages are in better condition than 8 years ago. The surface is damp, not dry. I hope it will be dry during the Rally because mud is not so funny! It should be no more rain, but in places with no sun under the trees, you don’t know if it will get dry or not. You need a little bit of luck not to brake something or have a puncture.”

#19 Sébastien LOEB / Isabelle GALMICHE

“It’s not that easy. For me there are a lot of new stages. It’s a hard work to make the notes and create something precise. But still, the stages are very nice and interesting. Not so rough as in the past. But we have to remember that cars have improved a lot since then. The suspension is so much better now.”

#6 Dani SORDO / Candido CARRERA

“At the moment it is good. All the stages have different types of surfaces. Some are really rocky and others are a little bit dumped with slippery parts. It’s quite demanding. I don’t think it is rougher than last year.”

#7 Pierre-Louis LOUBET / Vincent LANDAIS

“You need to have very good pace notes. I hope it won’t rain, because that will make it very tricky. It looks better for me than last year, but we will see in the Rally.”

#20 Andreas MIKKELSEN / Torstein ERIKSEN

“We met some nice conditions. It’s a bit a little damper and wet than I expected. But I guess it will get dry until the weekend. Everything is nice, with some new and some old stages. It’s a good mix. The WRC2 entry list is a big one, so we’ll have to fight this weekend. But it’s a tough Rally and you need to survive also. We had a good result here last year and we will try to repeat it.”

#21 Yohan ROSSEL / Valentin SARREAUD

“I like the stages. I think it will be very difficult for the car and us. The first day is very dry and during the second one, the grip is not so high. If we have a good result here, it will count for the Championship.”

#22 Teemu SUNINEN / Mikko MARKKULA

“The stages are really interesting. It’s a big challenge for the driver. They are very technical and quite rough. You have to find the balance between speed avoiding at the same time punctures and problems with the car as well.”

#26 Christopher INGRAM / Craig DREW

“Amazing. I am really excited. It’s one of the most difficult rallies of the season and I am excited to be here. Partially there is mud, but I think it will get dry.”

#28 Georg LINNAMÄE / James MORGAN

“The stages are quite interesting. There are some rough places, but not as much as I expected.”

#47 Georgios KECHAGIAS / Dimitrios SAINIS

“The special stages are very nice. Except for some small parts with mud, everything seems ok. Also, the stages in the Corinthian region are ok. I think that the roads are in a better condition than last year.”

#49 Lambros ATHANASOULAS / Nikolaos ZAKCHAIOS

“I think the Rally is a little bit rougher than in 2021, but the rain has helped. The stages here in Lamia and also in Loutaki are in a good shape. Only Harvati is rough, but as it will be run just once, it won’t be a problem.”

#50 Alexandros TSOULOFTAS / Ross WHITTOCK

“The Rally is more difficult than last year. There is mud partially and I hope it will get dry. It’s very demanding for the tyres. You have to manage very well how to use them during the Rally.”

#52 Emmanouil STEFANIS / Konstantinos STEFANIS

“I think the weather conditions are going to be very crucial. If it doesn’t rain again in the next days it will be fine. Only in parts with no sun, there is some mud. The Rally is very nice, and difficult as well; as is expected.”

#54 Efthymios CHALKIAS / Andreas VIGKOS

“Due to the rain, the stages are smoother than expected. Only partially, in sections between trees, the road is muddy, but not that much. The stages are in very good condition.”

[dimviii]

various photos
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPeD8QSvU1j6t2xYq1VwEJjmrQMA8L5iM5oCYXJQOrWXr K2CYAZYYBKq601P-RYlA?pli=1&key=N2lYWXVuN1pURlRRMW8tbmVGcl9JYW9xWmQ1bVBR

[EstWRC]

Katsutas quote is funny

[Rallyper]

Less than 48 hrs until Pickems closing. Just a reminder...

[AnttiL]

Katsutas quote is funny

He did only recce last year

[mknight]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/2022-acropolis-rally-form-guide/


On Breen:
"It’s simply been a case of trying to push too hard. But if he dials it back just a fraction, then there’s no reason why a top seven result can’t be his."

on Greensmith:
"A top five finish might be a bigger ask this year, especially with Loeb taking to the stages this time round, but if he can repeat last season’s effort, Greensmith could be looking at another decent finishing position."

Wow.... sure it's "no reason he won't make top 7" for Breen and "top 5 might be too much to ask" but still.

[WRCStan]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/2022-acropolis-rally-form-guide/


On Breen:
"It’s simply been a case of trying to push too hard. But if he dials it back just a fraction, then there’s no reason why a top seven result can’t be his."

on Greensmith:
"A top five finish might be a bigger ask this year, especially with Loeb taking to the stages this time round, but if he can repeat last season’s effort, Greensmith could be looking at another decent finishing position."

Wow.... sure it's "no reason he won't make top 7" for Breen and "top 5 might be too much to ask" but still.

Says Gus was 5th last time but not likely this year. Think you're reading an expectation of top-5?

[svstock]

Vote now! https://strawpoll.com/polls/poy9RqqoQnJ Your pick! OVERALL
vote closing 08.09.2022 / 20:00 EEST

Vote now! https://strawpoll.com/polls/GJn4Gqqj3yz Your pick! POWER STAGE
vote closing 11.09.2022 / 13:00 EEST

[dimviii]

Sébastien Loeb: "I kind of feel like I'm the last hope"
Discreet throughout the summer, the M-Sport driver is entering a very busy period with a first event at the Acropolis. While he still enjoys the WRC, a full-time return seems unlikely.

Sébastien Loeb, you have competed in the Acropolis several times, but your last participation dates back a bit, right?

It's been 10 years. Already. (Laughs)

The Acropolis returned to the calendar last year, but the pilots will still have a certain knowledge of the terrain that you will not have...

Like always. However, I compared the courses of 2021 and 2022 and only half are similar. They will therefore have 50% of the specials to discover, i.e. 4 or 5 to take notes.

What do you remember from your last participation?

There are two sections that I have already done… a priori! My memories are very distant. It remains blurry and I mix them. (Laughs) Potentially, there are things that I will recognize as Bauxite because it marked me with its atypical profile. I've been there several times, but it still dates back to 2012.


READ ALSO > Sébastien Loeb's results at the Acropolis Rally

Did you try to work on the videos for the final edition?

I tried. I also searched my old notes to see if it matched with images from 2021 and it looks like it pretty much does. I will reuse them. I manage to watch the dash cams from last year, but I fall asleep after 15 minutes. I am, however, unable to view the videos of the organizer. There, it is after 4 minutes that I sleep!

Was it a challenge you enjoyed?

Yes. From what I have been able to understand, it is quite varied this year. There are still some brittle portions, but that has changed a lot. Ten years ago, it was already much less degraded than what competitors before me had experienced and it has improved even more. There were still well-identified places, but it was not a rally where you had to be sure. With the evolution of cars, suspensions and shock absorbers, this is even less the case today, especially since the roads have also been improved. Except in three bowls, there will be no management, we will have to attack.

https://www.autohebdo.fr/actualites/rallye/wrc/sebastien-loeb-acropole-dernier-espoir-rallye.html

[EstWRC]

Sick dog already on the road for Kalle!

[EstWRC]

Just a shakedown but Toyotas didn’t look particularly good and Loeb having problems with engine and did just two runs

[Eli]

Is it 3 minutes intervals tomorrow or 4 minutes?

[Negaiss]

Just a shakedown but Toyotas didn’t look particularly good and Loeb having problems with engine and did just two runs

Loeb's Engine problems are just games being played. M-Sport is going ALL in with Loeb. I think every M-Sport driver will be asked to do anything, if it has a chance to make Loeb's result better. Everyone, even Breen.

[seb_sh]

Loeb's Engine problems are just games being played. M-Sport is going ALL in with Loeb. I think every M-Sport driver will be asked to do anything, if it has a chance to make Loeb's result better. Everyone, even Breen.

Maybe, or maybe MSport reliability is shit.

[dimviii]

Loeb's Engine problems are just games being played. M-Sport is going ALL in with Loeb. I think every M-Sport driver will be asked to do anything, if it has a chance to make Loeb's result better. Everyone, even Breen.
What kind of games?

[NOT]

Shakedown was shit... I really cannot understand what the organisers were thinking.

The only good thing was that you could get very close to every car before the start and talk to the drivers.

[AnttiL]

Shakedown was shit... I really cannot understand what the organisers were thinking.

The only good thing was that you could get very close to every car before the start and talk to the drivers.

I can only imagine the conversations you had with "potato dog" and the others :D

[spyros]

I hope will have a good rally, fingers crossed for Ott, he needs a good result here a podium maybe but i thing Loeb can make it and win this rally.He benefits from starting order and if he have a good Friday then he will control the others.

[MartijnS]

Shakedown was shit... I really cannot understand what the organisers were thinking.

The only good thing was that you could get very close to every car before the start and talk to the drivers.

We liked the last part.

[Negaiss]

What kind of games?

Probably they understood their pace from 2 runs. Maybe they do not want to show their real speed to others, so others choose wrong tyres or something. Or maybe they want others to think, that ford will have weak engine so others do not consider Loeb as threat in their rally strategy. Something like that. Loeb will be in top 3 at the end of the day tomorrow.

[meh]

Probably they understood their pace from 2 runs. Maybe they do not want to show their real speed to others, so others choose wrong tyres or something. Or maybe they want others to think, that ford will have weak engine so others do not consider Loeb as threat in their rally strategy. Something like that. Loeb will be in top 3 at the end of the day tomorrow.

We have here separate topic for christallball and other hocus-pocus-voodoo level "argumentations"...

[dimviii]

@SebastienLoeb
·
4h
Having a mechanical problem on the last run of the shakedown is called, although you may think otherwise, being lucky ��

@MSportLtd
has found the breakdown and we will be able to attack the
@AcropolisRally
tonight ����


Loeb trying to fix the misfire problem

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcINvoxX0AAV6gE?format=jpg&name=medium

[dimviii]

https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1567831761073197057

[dimviii]

what a legend,smiling even at problems
https://twitter.com/DirtFishRally/status/1567810450691166213

[dimviii]

nice Tanak photo

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcHoSf0XwAEJxmJ?format=jpg&name=medium

[EstWRC]

https://youtu.be/NkysEpxlkdI

https://youtu.be/FHGSpRHW6M0

[Fredouye]

Some photos of this (very nice) shakedown.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/d8f576c11e639e166f59344cb83ec2a6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/97afd9ce9adc4c58bfdb3033140f5ac1.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/a96314da1b7535896a91e0c0c51070f5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/e4cae5af5b3aa6d13ef066d81399c381.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/a5e92772a0d2cec7b1ddaf7e306a09f1.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/05aabaa48d5e13b9496096706299a388.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220908/ea1c7d5d0716fe9096eb648df9ff6c96.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

what a legend,smiling even at problems
https://twitter.com/DirtFishRally/status/1567810450691166213

Nothing changes... ;)

https://wiki.phantis.com/images/5/5c/Loeb-1149004836.jpg

[WRCStan]

https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1567831761073197057

Is this damage from PET? Don't get this.

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/FHGSpRHW6M0

cpt9405
2 hours ago
Excellent.

One question, no misunderstanding.
Did you speed up the video or were the transitions really that fast?

[dimviii]

Lappi recce at ss

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcJGwfIXkAIqGOe?format=jpg&name=900x900

[RallyFan13]

Video from Acropolis Rally 2022 Shakedown!Subsribe on our YouTube page for more videos!
https://youtu.be/khancnWuLno

[hari]

Some pictures from shakedown: https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos_bestof_wrc_acropolis_rallye_2022.html


https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/1.jpg https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/2.jpg
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/3.jpg
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/4.jpg
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/5.jpg
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/6.jpg
https://www.ir7.at/content/fotos/2022/acropolis/21.jpg

[dimviii]

WRCWings
@llluis555
New internal cooling pipe in the Toyota GR Yaris #Rally1 at
@AcropolisRally
, surely to reduce the inside car temperature by connecting the bonnet's front air intake (behind the Toyota logo) and the inside of the car

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcJCE2gXkAQ1wKi?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[er88]

Why does the camera man here have to zoom in so close to the cars?

[TypeR]

Why does the camera man here have to zoom in so close to the cars?

Exactly.. this total bs camerawork ruins the whole emotion and show of this SSS

[dimviii]

Why does the camera man here have to zoom in so close to the cars?

cameraman from eurovision?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fuuuuck Mikkelsen !!

[er88]

Jesus christ Mikkelsen. Retired. What an idiot.

That'll impress Malcolm after he talked himself up being reliable

[EstWRC]

Karma

[TypeR]

Waiting WRC bosses calls :D

I think he beated Solberg?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lucky Lappi !

[meh]

Hyndai 1-2-3-4 at the moment. Some WRC2 may change it of course...

[EstWRC]

Good luck for Kalle and Ott tomorrow.

It will be hell of a day for them cleaning tomorrow with just one repetitive stage

[PLuto]

Besides two crashes, it was very boring stage. Too narrow together with gravel tyres and gravel suspension for most of the drivers it was mainly about survive. To make at least some show, it should be better to make it not parallel, but only one road more wide.

[dimviii]

Besides two crashes, it was very boring stage. Too narrow together with gravel tyres and gravel suspension for most of the drivers it was mainly about survive. To make at least some show, it should be better to make it not parallel, but only one road more wide.
Same was at 2005, just the sound and the atmosphere inside the stadium worth.

[Rallyper]

Will Mikkelsen get 5 min penalty, or what?

[Tauri_J]

Will Mikkelsen get 5 min penalty, or what?

He didnt Even finish the stage

[Jarek Z]

Here is a short video of Mikkelsen's crash from the stadium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpxLqO5b8SE

[Rallyper]

Didn´t front left wheel break when landing after jump?

[Jarek Z]

That's what I was wondering about too. We need a better quality video.

[satnav]

Didn´t front left wheel break when landing after jump?

Thats what it looked like, has to be a better video about somewhere

[Jarek Z]

Here is a better video:
https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc2/watch-mikkelsen-crashes-on-athens-super-special/?fbclid=IwAR1vR15xRFSpRidGRpwlblJEwjj5yapBjTJuOb2Y dq_QEx6OycP4OAHETtQ

[SubaruNorway]

I don't think anything broke, the jump just scared him

[atsiotras79]

I don’t know if they had some spare parts in the car (just for this case some crews did) so to be able to fix it themselves without the car having to travel all way to Lamia and back to Loutraki and all that by 06:30 in the morning who according to the bulletin is the deadline to enter the park ferme…
If not, it is going to be tight to make it to start tomorrow and if they don’t they are out of the rally…

[Lead]

Mikkelsen: Now he can finally relax, attend his soon coming father responsibilities, pick up the glass of wine, lay down in his chair and watch Katjo taking WRC2 championship.

P.S. And turn off his mobile cause its unlikely someone will call him (except friends and family).

[navi]

Mikkelsen to restart ss2 under super rally as per the regulations with 10 mins penalty - starting 13th

[dimviii]

I don't think anything broke, the jump just scared him

nothing broked.At the first videos we saw that after the jump the drivers wheel immediately turns right= seems something broke.
On the las video from wrc.com after the jump we see from co drivers side that also after the jump the wheel turns immediately at right.Thats a bad reaction from Andreas cause he was too fast at the bridge.
Just watch from this photo where the other drivers landed from the tyre marks at braking.
Silly mistale for his level.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcKS-KgX0AAjXDp?format=jpg&name=medium

[seb_sh]

Too bad for his title chances but this won't change anything. The works teams already were not calling him.

[Lead]

Silly mistale for his level.

That could be said about a lot of drivers in the past. It happens. Only timing couldnt be even worse.

[WRCStan]

Looks like the headlights go out a split second before the impact with the wall. But looking where he landed, it was just too fast.

Pause Lappi's video, how he got away with that I don't know.

[dimviii]

64.500 people at Olympic stadium according to organizer
https://twitter.com/AcropolisRally/status/1567983144997093376

[bomber21]

Well I just returned from the stadium. The atmosphere was great, people really liked it. I believe they were around 55.000 but OK, no big deal. Huge crowd nevertheless.

[WRCStan]

Well I just returned from the stadium. The atmosphere was great, people really liked it. I believe they were around 55.000 but OK, no big deal. Huge crowd nevertheless.

What happened with Munster, did you see?

[macebig]

Confirmed from the driver. Caught fire and had to abandon outside the stadium.https://m.facebook.com/GregoireMunster

[bomber21]

What happened with Munster, did you see?
I saw the rear lights fallen off and the back had signs of fire.

I read drivers comments about the atmosphere, they were really happy and amazed from the crowd.

[EstWRC]

Nice photo of Tänak thanking the fans

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220909/7bbc89099fc5d06d93b950408cd9cd6f.jpg

[skarderud]

Too bad for his title chances but this won't change anything. The works teams already were not calling him.He has to do some real magic this weekend to make up for this catastropic episode.


Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Tauri_J]

Dusty, as expected

[Tauri_J]

It Will be horrible for later runners

[TypeR]

3min gaps too small.. again

[EstWRC]

Why 3 minute gaps. Horrible

[Tauri_J]

They should just start the day later. Humid and no wind in the morning

[er88]

The dust getting worse the more cars come through

[Tauri_J]

Ott clearly had to lift

[er88]

I simply don't understand why they keep making the same mistakes every year at rallys like this. No wind, early morning start, just give 4mins ffs

[er88]

Evans had to basically stop there on that fast section

[EstWRC]

Ott clearly had to lift

Evans braked even more there

[Tauri_J]

Katsuta losing bucket loads of time

[Eli]

I simply don't understand why they keep making the same mistakes every year at rallys like this. No wind, early morning start, just give 4mins ffs

Because in NOT’s words, they’re stupid organizers.

[cali]

Looks like the headlights go out a split second before the impact with the wall. But looking where he landed, it was just too fast.

Pause Lappi's video, how he got away with that I don't know.It's quite easy actually, simple physics. Mikkelsen crashed with a front and wheels turned in. He hit the barrier basically with a wheel first.

Lappi nudged the barrier with a back wheel which obviously was not turned in any direction making it a more like a snowbank effect

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[EstWRC]

Drivers so frustrated and rightly so!

[Tauri_J]

Looks like it might be getting better

[Eli]

Drivers so frustrated and rightly so!

Strong words from Neuville, hopefully someone up there will listen.

[EstWRC]

Looks like it might be getting better

there is more clear in the second half of the stage and its cleaning too

[Tauri_J]

there is more clear in the second half of the stage and its cleaning too

Yup, Lappi took time back

[EstWRC]

Yup, Lappi took time back

Loeb just 0.4 down now

[er88]

Small fire for Breen apparently after the stage end...........

[EstWRC]

Loeb leading a rally again this year

Kalle and Ott kinda lucky with the dust in the sense they dont loose so much to back starters

[er88]

Loubet coming fast

[rp]

Goat is the GOAT!

[haris274]

https://www.wrc.com/?proxy=redaktion/Season-2022-News/WRC/September/Greece-Live-Updates/breen-fire.jpeg

[Rallyper]

Morning, guys.

[jonkka]

1,1 sec difference is fashionable after this stage, that's the difference between Loeb & Tanak, Neuville & Rovanpera and Rovanpera & Breen.

[EstWRC]

Loubet second fastest, mini GOAT!

[er88]

Organisers a joke again. Mikkelsen gets 3mins behind JS, yet Rossel starts 2mins behind Andreas

[EstWRC]

This stage a lot better. Let’s see what’s the cleaning effect now like


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tauri_J]

No splits?

[EstWRC]

No splits?

There is, Evans fastest so far but just by 0.8 against Ott in spl2

[Tauri_J]

Yeah they finally came

[EstWRC]

this one cleaning massively

[ouvreur]

WRCWings
@llluis555
New internal cooling pipe in the Toyota GR Yaris #Rally1 at
@AcropolisRally
, surely to reduce the inside car temperature by connecting the bonnet's front air intake (behind the Toyota logo) and the inside of the car

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FcJCE2gXkAQ1wKi?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

If I understand right, it's not connected to an external air intake, but instead draws air from inside the bonnet cavity. It's a system that provides air to the engine when the water splash valve is closed (for example in river crossings or in very heavy dusty sections like Kenya). It will only work for a very short period of time, but probably enough to survive an extreme water/dust section.

[meh]

Just a reminder - it's time for "friday heroes". Keep in mind road cleaning before you will get overexcited by someones times.

[Tauri_J]

Some nasty sharp stones on the lines

[Tauri_J]

Sordo rather a dissapointment now

[NOT]

Organisers are stupid dogs.. i was in ss2 it was horrible especially for r2 crews

[AnttiL]

If you want four minute gaps for everyone, the stage will last for 4-5 hours. And it should be repeated in three and half hours.

Also if you want the day to start later to have no dust problems, the day will then just be shorter of stage kilometres.

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/AcropolisRally/status/1568152341227913216

spectators saying they can walk wherever they want

[Danny0405]

Pajari out for today.
Except miracle, he is now out for the Junior title contention.
Should be between Armstrong and Virves from what we saw so far (it’s a long road and Joona could benefit from issues from the others but with the stage points, don’t think Joona can do it).

[AnttiL]

Joona out as well

[Rallyper]

@Dimviii : Is Loutraki stage at around 5 mins the place we were at on Thursday evening in 2012?

[dimviii]

Yeap

[Dontcut]

Pajari out for today.
Except miracle, he is now out for the Junior title contention.
Should be between Armstrong and Virves from what we saw so far (it’s a long road and Joona could benefit from issues from the others but with the stage points, don’t think Joona can do it).

I bet (outside bet really) that all JWRC drivers get super rally asterix on sunday afternoon.

[dimviii]

Kalle about 14 sec faster from morning pass

[Rallyper]

Yeap

Cool! I recognized it! Other direction that time.
Memories. Memories.

[dimviii]

Nice times,next year you have to comeback.

[Tauri_J]

Ott with no hybrid

[EstWRC]

Thierry on a mission. Wants the win