The Rally Guide 1 for the event has been released. Longest Acropolis since 2012, almost 100km of stages on Sunday, longest since Mexico in 2016!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1flx...-TfwarbBV/view
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The Rally Guide 1 for the event has been released. Longest Acropolis since 2012, almost 100km of stages on Sunday, longest since Mexico in 2016!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1flx...-TfwarbBV/view
Proper Sunday, 4 x almost 25 km stage... at least deserved points for Super Sunday and PS...
Maps for the event have been released:
https://www.acropolisrally.gr/2025/e...tators/maps-sp
Aghii Theodoroi is the same as last year extended from the start
Loutraki is the same as last year
Thiva is more like 2021 with a new start
Stiri, combination of the old stage and the 2022 EHRC Distomo stage
Elatia - Rengini same as 2022
Pavliani and Inohori same as 2023/24
Karoutes same as 2023 with the Bauxites section removed
Tarzan same as ever
Smokovo brand new stage never used before in the rally
I will be at Smokovo this year!
Attachment 2635
Map of the SSS. Will be at the city center, with the Ceremonial Start at the Panathenaic Stadium.
A bit of a shame there's not many Greeks in Rally2s this year. Otherwise it's a decent entry list in terms of Rally1s and WRC2 regulars
My Acropolis Route Preview
https://www.powerslideblog.com/wrc-r...-route-preview
Had the pleasure of checking Stiri and Inohori out for myself this year, really looking forward to Stiri, will be a very nice stage, and also quite rough on the last few km
Neuville testing today in the old Loutraki SD stage
https://youtu.be/rfsjyIQPRFw?si=XarlESoYuu5HK03i
Really strange. Rally starts in few days and almost nothing in this thread...
Estonians and finnish have some kind of mid summer holiday at the moment :D
Should be big parties and grilling :D
The forum being down recently may have made some think it was finished...
Hopefully they'll come back as the alternatives just aren't they same, regardless of being more 'modern'.
Friday very hot!
A few lads are constantly posting on Discord, but gives me not so much. This forum is the old school and feels more adequate... hope though some more posts the more we are near the start of rally.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Yes, I've seen a forecast of over 40C.Quote:
Originally Posted by MartijnS
It's going to be tough with the slower speed roads and especially in the Rally1 Cars which are hot inside anyway.
Ogier not afraid of running 2nd on the road ...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/ogier...-disadvantage/
Recce interviews https://youtu.be/ZVhVt6VX6NA?si=6MFj92fFJSVqrJrz
Heikkila and Loubet not starting - withdrawn from startlist
#33 Elfyn EVANS / Scott MARTIN
“It looks tough. Definitely some rough sections, as always in Acropolis, but maybe a bit worse than in recent years. The running order will probably make things more difficult, but overall, I think just finishing this Rally will be a big challenge.”
#69 Kalle ROVANPERÄ / Jonne HALTTUNEN
“It’s much rougher than in previous years. I think it’s because it’s so dry. There’s a lot of loose gravel, stones, and generally tough conditions. I believe survival will be more important than ever.”
#17 Sébastien OGIER / Vincent LANDAIS
“Very difficult stages. There are some really rough sections, with lots of stones everywhere. It’s going to be hard to get through the weekend without problems. I’d say it’s a bit of a lottery under these conditions – you’ll need some luck to avoid issues.”
#8 Ott TÄNAK / Martin JÄRVEOJA
“Some roads haven’t been repaired since last year and are in poor condition. But some stages, like the ones on Sunday, are in good shape. It will be hot and dusty, and the high temperatures will make the Rally even more demanding.”
#1 Thierry NEUVILLE / Martijn WYDAEGHE
“It’s very tough. In general, the stages are in bad condition with lots of loose rocks and stones. But that’s Acropolis – a real challenge. Sunday will be long and especially demanding. I think the risk of punctures is even higher this year. Our goal is to avoid problems and approach things more cautiously. But punctures can happen even if you’re not pushing. It’s definitely not an easy Rally.”
#18 Takamoto KATSUTA / Aaron JOHNSTON
“Some stages are a bit rougher than before. But Sunday is very long, and the new stage, Smokovo, is tricky and quite slippery. It will definitely be interesting.”
#16 Adrien FOURMAUX / Alexandre CORIA
“I think this will be the roughest Acropolis I’ve done. There’s no moisture at all, so everything is loose. There are rocks right in the middle of the road. It’s also going to be extremely hot, which will make things even more demanding inside the cockpit.”
#5 Sami PAJARI / Marko SALMINEN
“It’s a typical Acropolis – some really nice stages, and some very rough ones. Conditions change a lot. Some areas are clean, others have a lot of loose gravel and stones. It’s going to be a tough Rally, as Acropolis always is.”
#13 Grégoire MUNSTER / Louis LOUKA
“It’s rougher than in previous editions. I don’t know if it’s due to National Championship events or just because the roads haven’t been repaired. Some stages are really hard with lots of stones. The Power Stage and the new one, Smokovo, are better. Sunday seems softer overall, while the Loutraki stages are the roughest.”
#22 Mārtiņš SESKS / Renārs FRANCIS
“This is our first time here, and it’s going to be a huge challenge. From recce, it was hard to know where to push and where to protect the car from the rocks. It’s definitely going to be a very interesting challenge. This is the toughest Rally I’ve ever started, and it will be interesting to learn how to manage it properly.”
#20 Yohan ROSSEL / Arnaud DUNAND
“Some stages look like they did after the second pass last year. It’s going to be really hard on both the car and the drivers. I don’t know if we’re fully ready for this, but the plan is to avoid mistakes and not push 100%. That’s how I see it right now, but let’s see how things go.”
#21 Oliver SOLBERG / Elliott EDMONDSON
“This year’s Acropolis is very rough! Last time I was here, it rained a lot before the event, so the stages were softer. But now it’s hot and rough – and it’s going to be interesting. I’d say it’s rougher than Safari in some places!”
#49 Georgios-Alexandros AMOUTZAS / Ilias PANAGIOTOUNIS
“The stages are extremely rough. This year, it’s more about survival than speed. You have to be very cautious – even though we’re excited to be here, you can’t let enthusiasm get the better of you. We’ve prepared solid pace notes, and our aim is to maintain a steady rhythm without pushing too much. The car felt great during testing, and we’re really looking forward to the start of the Rally.”
#50 Epameinondas KARANIKOLAS / Georgios KAKAVAS
“The first day will be really tough. Reaching Lamia without issues will be a success in itself. The second day is better, but I think the stages will get rougher on the second pass. Tarzan and Smokovo are in great condition, though.”
Recce interviews...
https://youtu.be/ZVhVt6VX6NA?si=RGgMSy1IAyxVexoT
Like in IndycarQuote:
Originally Posted by Managarium
Considering that we are talking about WRC.. I bet it takes about 3 different jokers to use this helmet :D
Some really crazy liasion distance for the weekend - 1070kms! With that kind of heat with no AC.
Punctures will decide the rally.
That's brutal !Quote:
Originally Posted by Dontcut
Strange that Aaron Johnston said it wouldn't be as bad as (the long days) in Portugal.
Really hope that this is not the case. Also I hope that organizers will extend the starting gaps because if it is true what Kalle said that the SD was a bit more open and they already had issues with dust, then it could be way more worse on the stages.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
A few drivers were making a clear point to the organisers about the dust. And especially early in the day the low sun makes it look even worse.
The dust will be better tomorrow - 2 min gaps during shakedown, 3 mins during the actual stages.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Because Portugal had 10 stages on Friday with no proper rest. Saturday and Sunday won't be as hot anyway.
Let's see if Hyundai can repeat what they did last year or if Toyota will continue their win streak, which is already embarassingly long. Or if M-Sport gets the most unexpected win of all times :D
SS1 already delayed..
EKO Acropolis Rally
@AcropolisRally
Due to severe traffic congestion coming into the holding area in Athens, the start of the rally is delayed. New start times will be communicated later.
Traffic jam in Greece.. no way. Must be first time..
Use police escort or smth ffs
cancelled as TV stage
ridiculous
Rally Journal saying that not all drivers have had a chance to recce the stage yet, so the delay could be even longer. (Might have been mentioned on tv coverage too but I had it muted)
https://rallyjournal.com/acropolis-rally-start-delayed/
For those who doesn't have a subscription with RallyTV, there's Greek pay-tv "Cosmote TV" who is broadcasting live the stage on YouTube (probably it has geographical restrictions, so a VPN might help.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
The grandstands are now full (the footage in the global TV feed were shot earlier), big respect for those waiting for a tragic organization on that.
Events like this TOTALLY needs police escort, it's so disrespectful for TV viewers, fans on the grandstands and all stakeholders...