I actually wasn't talking about the Acropolis - other events have changed to keep their WRC place. Only the Monte had the guts to stick two fingers up to the FiA...
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I actually wasn't talking about the Acropolis - other events have changed to keep their WRC place. Only the Monte had the guts to stick two fingers up to the FiA...
It is obvious that you do not have the slightest idea about Acropolis. First of all, the main characteristic of the roads around Athens is that they are extremely rough. They are the roughest roads, not only in Greece, but in the whole history of WRC including Safari, much worse than you can imagine in your worst dreams. And the same time they have sections that are very fast and spectacular. This meant that the character of the rally remained the same as before and made it even more distinct that the rest of the gravel rallies, which are actually sprints. The problem was that spectators from the rest of Greece got angry about Athens being again the center of an event and also Acropolis stopped being an opportunity for the spectators to have a three day excursion on the mountains. This is the ONLY reason that they disliked it and the only reason some journalists talked bad about the event. The battles between Solberg, Loeb and Gronholm in these events have provided some of the best scenes I have ever seen.Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
After that, the event had also one day in Peloponese and one in Central Greece, as it was before 1986, but with fewer km of course. The roads are not as tough as around Athens, but the character of the rally is still the same and I say this because I have driven through all the Acropolis stages, new and old ones. It is still the toughest event, some of its sections are unbelievably rough for anyone that hasn't seen them, and it is a very distinct challenge for cars and drivers. All the other events of the WRC are sprints. Acropolis is still the only rally with the full sense of the word and an event that the driver has to think besides driving fast. Is there another event except Acropolis and Monte that demands this?
The problem with Acropolis is not its character. The problem is purely about money and, to a big part, about money that the former (now gone bankrupt) organizer still owes to FIA for reason that does not regard Acropolis but another activity. Unfortunately, these money cannot be paid by the former organizer, nor anybody else who does not actually owe them, so FIA chooses to punish Acropolis.
I only have to say, that as rally enthusiast prefer Acropolis to "my" rally de Portugal (on Algarve).
@scn I totally agree with you.No much things can be said except from the fact that the major problem for our rally is the lack of resources in order to raise the appropriate amount of money to pay the fee for being our rally part of the calendar.This is i believe is the main reason and not fia temper to punish our rally for the money we owe them.
1.2 million for three years is crazy even for a state without financial probems.of course the fact that we owe them money is not an asset to our sleeve.
Rally NZ pulls out of 2014 calendar entry to let Rally Australia run for 3 years on new rotation scheme to make sponsors happy, then NZ comes back for 3 years.
I hate it. Rally NZ every year and I live in Australia!
I was gutted to say the least hearing that news. NZ will never get it back now...Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
WRC should have 16 rounds so Australia and NZ both could be in the calendar. I think that Cyprus, corsica, turkey and san remo should also deserve a place in WRC.
i can't belive it, Australia for another 3 years, at least it would have been in Perth...
That's really bad news for WRC. I hope that no more iconic rallies are dropped from the calendar, especially Acropolis
I'm sorry disappoint you but if i remember correctly there where lots of rummors suggesting that the Acropolis Rally was dropped in favour of Poland.Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan