News & Articles PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally: With 53 Entries from 11 Countries!
PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally, the seventh round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, is approaching! The Greek event has attracted a total of 53 crews from 11 countries, who on the afternoon of Friday, September 5th, will pass over the ceremonial start ramp beneath the monument of the Acropolis. The legendary Greek gravel stages are ready to host, from September 5th to 7th, the protagonists of both the European and the Greek Historic Rally Championship, guaranteeing a spectacular show across the event’s 13 special stages.
The quality of the entries is of the highest level, with the entry list including drivers and cars that have left a strong mark on the history of rallying. Holding the record for the most World Rally Championship starts, Jari-Matti Latvala is coming to Greece to compete in the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally and is expected to excite the crowds with his performance. The 40-year-old Finn, with 18 WRC victories to his name, is contesting the FIA European Historic Rally Championship this year, co-driven by Jani Hussi in a black Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD. However, the season has been anything but easy for the former WRC star. Despite two wins at the start of the year, three consecutive retirements due to mechanical failures have significantly hampered his fight for the title. The Finnish duo will be chased by last year’s unlucky competitors, Ghislain de Mevius – Johan Jalet, who return once again to the Greek gravel stages. Driving their Mazda 323 GTX, they will be targeting victory—something they narrowly missed last year, despite leading for most of the event. Taking advantage of their rivals’ misfortunes, Maciej Lubiak – Grzegorz Dachowski, well known from last year’s participation, currently lead the European Championship standings. The Polish crew, who have consistently scored points in almost every round this season, will be competing in an upgraded Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, and they are hopeful that luck will be on their side at the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally. Looking to challenge the top contenders are last year’s third-place finishers, Marios Stafylopatis – Giorgos Chatzirigas. Two-time Greek Historic Rally Champions, they will be behind the wheel of a Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, aiming for their first victory of the season in the Greek Historic Rally Championship.
Also hoping to continue their strong performances on Greek soil are Will Graham – James O’Brien, in a BMW M3 E30. The 29-year-old Briton’s consistency this year has placed him second overall in the European Championship standings, and although this will be his first time competing on the rough Greek gravel, his goal is to stay on the road and collect valuable points for the title battle. Similarly, his father, Ernie Graham, accompanied by his wife Karen, returns once more to Greece. The British driver has twice been crowned European Champion in Category 1 of Historic rallying. This will be his sixth appearance at the Historic Acropolis Rally, driving a Ford Escort RS1800 MKII. In 2023, he climbed to the third step of the podium, while last year he finished fourth. This year, he currently leads the 1600cc Trophy and aims to seal the title in Greece. Another familiar name for Greek rally fans is Enrico Brazzoli, who will drive a Porsche 911 with co-driver Martina Musiari. The Italian has competed in the Acropolis four times, standing on the podium three times, and he has also won the European Historic Rally Championship in Category 3 in both 2009 and 2011. Greek crew Alexandros Christodoulou – Athanasios Samaras will also be aiming high, competing this year with a Lancia Delta Integrale. Their main goal is to maintain their lead in the Greek Historic Rally Championship standings, while also chasing a strong result in this prestigious event. Meanwhile, the French crew Bertrand Metivier – Fabrice Garin, who mainly have experience in rallies from their home country, will be competing in Greece for the first time. They are contesting the full European Historic Rally Championship this year with a Ford Escort RS1600 MKI. For Giorgos Delaportas – Vangelis Panaritis, the 2024 edition ended early, but they now hope to finally achieve a positive result in their Volkswagen Golf II GTi. Driving their beloved Ford Escort RS2000 MKII, Ioannis Tsalamatas – Nikos Babalis will once again start beneath the shadow of the Acropolis. Last year, they came close to success but were forced to retire just two stages before the finish. In uncharted territory will be the Finnish crew Pasi Hapulahti – Antti Nordström, as for the driver this will be his first rally outside of his home country. Competing in a Volvo 242, their goal is to combine speed with spectacle and leave a positive impression on the Greek fans. The PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally would not be complete without Siegfried and Renate Mayr. The German crew, driving a Volvo 240, discovered the Acropolis Rally in 2023 and expressed their enthusiasm for the stunning Greek gravel stages. This year, they are strong contenders for the European Championship’s Category 3 title. With Greek heritage, Evangelos Andrea Farmakakis returns for the second consecutive year, co-driven by the highly experienced Giovanni Bernacchini, in a Ford Escort RS2000 MKII. Last year, two punctures forced them to retire, and this year their top priority is to finally reach the finish in Delphi. Fourth in last year’s Acropolis Rally Legends, Stavros Anamolidis is back again, this time with a Peugeot 205 Rallye and co-driver Ilias Panagiotounis.
Meanwhile, Panagiotis Paradeisis – Michalis Fragkou temporarily set aside their modern Renault Clio Rally3, with which they are competing in this year’s Gravel Cup, to return to their beloved Ford Escort RS1800 MKII. After failing to finish in the last two editions, the crew is determined to break the string of bad luck. On the other hand, Giorgos Paradeisis has enjoyed much more success at the Historic Acropolis Rally, consistently finishing high in the standings and even reaching the third step of the podium in 2022. He will once again compete in a Ford Escort MKI, alongside co-driver Ploutarchos Stergiou. Panagiotis Koutsikos will make his appearance in a new car. After retiring in both 2022 and 2023, the driver—who this year celebrates 50 years of involvement in motorsport—will take the wheel of a four-wheel drive Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, co-driven by Nikos Petropoulos. Another Ford Sierra RS Cosworth will be driven by Charalampos Bousounis – Nikolaos Giannopoulos, a crew that, despite limited experience, has shown significant improvement lately, highlighted by a second place in the Historic category at the recent Rally Stereas Elladas. A dynamic comeback will also be made by “Sassos”, who returns to action after nearly two years away, driving a four-wheel drive Subaru Legacy with Alexandros Mataliotakis as his co-driver. From distant Australia, Darryn Snooks will compete with his brother Steuart Snooks, driving a Ford Escort RS1800 MKII, the same car they used in the recent Lahti Historic Rally. Also arriving from Oceania are Phil Thomas – Cody Richards, driving the same model, to experience one of the most classic rallies of the European Championship.
Aiming for their first points in this year’s Greek Historic Rally Championship, Ioannis Paravalos – Dionysis Kolotouros will compete in a visually updated Toyota Corolla AE92, while Dimitris Pavlos-Melas – Stathis Vardaxis will battle the clock in a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0. Another entry in the Historic Acropolis Rally is the mixed crew Hara Moraiti – Dimitris Amaxopoulos, who performed well in the first two rounds of the Historic Championship, driving a Toyota Corolla KE30. At the same time, Theodoros Kalamaras – Dimitris Lambrakis reunite in a Toyota Starlet 1300 KP61, aiming to continue their successful streak of finishes in the event. Competing in a Ford Escort RS2000 MKI will be Dimitris Trikardos – Nikolaos Manouskos, who did not finish last year, while the same model will be driven by Petros Vasilopoulos – Panagiotis Koukliampis, a driver transitioning from Regularity competitions to the Sporting category over the past three years. The “racing bug” never truly leaves, and this is evident in Konstantinos Ladias, who returned in 2023 after 30 years of absence and this year will compete in a Toyota Starlet, co-driven by the experienced Michalis Patrikousis. Konstantinos Kofinas returns to the Historic Acropolis Rally after a year away, in a white Toyota Corolla AE86, co-driven by Lambros Zografos. The first gravel experience of Ioannis Kalaitzian – “Marianna Kalogiratou” was in June 2022, the year of the rally’s revival. Since then, the crew has participated in the event every year and this year will compete in a Fiat Ritmo Abarth 125 TC. Building on experience from last year, Giorgos Bertsatos returns with a new “formula,” driving a Toyota Starlet, with Kostas Konto as co-driver. Savvas Tzilavis – Giorgos Dimopoulos were thrown in at the deep end in 2023, as their first rally was the Historic Acropolis. They adapted successfully to the challenges and will return this year in a Ford Escort RS2000 MKI. For the first time, Panagiotis Gkliatis will start in the Historic Acropolis Rally, co-driven by Ippokratis Palapanoglou, sharing a Toyota Corolla TE37. Giorgos Dodos, who recently drove a modern car in the EKO Acropolis Rally, returns this year in the historic version with a Nissan Cherry, co-driven by Nikos Intzoglou. A driver who dominated the 1970s championships, “Siro,” returns to active competition after 20 years, driving a Ford Escort MKII with co-driver Grigoris Andrianopoulos, with whom he competed in 2004, finishing fourth overall. Meanwhile, Alexandros Papandreou – Dimitris Rizopoulos will drive a Toyota Starlet 1300 KP61, aiming to finish the rally for the third consecutive year. Konstantinos Kapourelakos – Georgia Zabeli will compete in a Toyota Starlet EP81, having finished third in the 2024 Acropolis Rally Legends’ two-wheel drive category. Dimitris Christou, co-driven by Giorgos Skordylakis, will drive a Toyota Celica TA22 for his sixth Historic Acropolis Rally. Although he started in tarmac events, Patroklos Kansos quickly moved to gravel and will compete for the third time in a BMW 320/6, with Konstantinos Verykakis as co-driver.
Experienced historic car drivers Lymberis Papazoglou – Maria Nikolopoulou will drive a Skoda Favorit, participating again this year. Pantelis Antonopoulos – Maria Kallitsi will compete in a Ford Escort RS2000 MKII, aiming to finish the rally after three unsuccessful attempts. Two more foreign crews will compete in the seventh round of the European Championship: Thomas Kubler – Petro Ortigao in a rare Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, and Italians Pietro Turchi – Carlo Lazzerini in a 1969 Fiat 125 Special.
In the National category, lacking historic certification (HTP), the Finns Ilkka Kalmanlehto – Jaana Salopuro will compete in a Datsun 160J, returning to the Greek gravel stages 10 months after their 2024 participation.
A total of 8 cars in Category 5 (P2000) will participate in the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally. Notably, returning to the Greek fans is Gregoire De Mevius, a familiar name and two-time WRC N-category champion, who will drive a Nissan Sunny GTI-R. Memories are revived as the Belgian driver finished 9th overall in the 1992 Acropolis Rally with this same car. His co-driver will be Andre Leyh, aiming to thrill spectators on the rally’s special stages. Continuing his consistent presence on Greek gravel, Cypriot Petros Panteli, 2019 national champion, will compete in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II, co-driven by Antonis Chrysostomou. Last year’s Acropolis Rally Legends winner, Achilleas Christodoulou, will participate again with a sixth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer, this time with Konstantinos Soukoulis as co-driver, aiming for a class victory. Finishing third at the 2024 Acropolis Rally Legends, Kyriakos Vytogiannis will compete in the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally with his son Nikolaos Vytogiannis, in a blue Subaru Impreza GT in Category 5. Strengthening the Japanese entries are Ioannis Potouridis – Nikos Ntouras, competing in a Subaru Impreza 555, marking the driver’s return to active competition. Another entry in this category is Stelios Yamalakis – Nikos Samios, in a white Ford Escort RS Cosworth, while two rear-wheel-drive crews will also battle in Category 5. Manolis Panagiotopoulos, with decades of experience since the 1970s, will drive a Toyota Yaris, co-driven by Manos Achtidas, while Konstantinos Papadogeorgos – Thanos Papageorgiou will compete in the same model.
Rally Schedule and Special Stages
The action begins on Thursday, September 4, with an optional shakedown for participants at 16:00 in Thiva area.
On Friday, September 5, at 18:00, the Ceremonial Start will take place, set against the backdrop of the Parthenon. Prior to this, administrative checks and technical scrutineering will be conducted at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA). The cars will remain overnight at OAKA and start on Saturday morning, September 6, for the 7 special stages comprising the demanding first leg of the rally.
Specifically, participants will tackle the Asopia (14.16 km), followed by the Thiva (14.96 km), a staple of both the Historic and modern Acropolis Rally in recent years. The day’s program also includes the Akraifnio (10.36 km) before the regrouping in Aliartos. Following this, crews will face Elikonas (8.06 km), Mavroneri (13.37 km), and Parnassos (13.71 km), all familiar from last year. The first leg concludes with the Amfissa (11.75 km) under floodlights, after which cars will spend the night in Itea, which will also host the Service Park.
On Sunday morning, September 7, competitors of the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally will compete again on the Amfissa (11.75 km), this time in daylight. They will then proceed to the Oinochori (10.02 km) and the Amfikleia (13.89 km). A midday service will take place in Amfikleia, followed by the Elateia-Zeli (11.65 km) and a repeat of the Amfikleia (13.89 km). The rally concludes with the Oinochori (10.02 km).
The finish line will be set in the courtyard of the European Conference Center of Delphi at 17:30, followed by the awards ceremony at the Frynihos Theatre at 18:30.
The PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally comprises a total of 13 Special Stages covering 157.69 competitive kilometers, with an overall rally distance of 689.73 kilometers.
This year’s title sponsor is PEMA, a company specializing in comprehensive fuel and lubricants supply solutions for ships worldwide. Through a strong network of suppliers and strategic partnerships, PEMA ensures fast, reliable, and high-quality service 24/7—whether in busy ports or remote locations. With a global reach and a customer-centric approach, PEMA keeps its partners always on the move.
Valuable support is provided this year by the Region of Attica, the Regional Unit of Boeotia, and the Regional Unit of Phocis. Additional support comes from the municipalities of Athens, Thebes, Tanagra, Livadia, Delphi, Orchomenos, Amfikleia-Elateia, and Aliartos.
The media sponsor is Cosmote TV, which has been actively covering all motorsport events in Greece in recent years.
For all the latest news, results, and updates, visit the official rally website at www.historicacropolis.gr and the Digital Notice Board at Sportity.
Official Links:
- Facebook: Historic Acropolis Rally
- Instagram: historic_acropolis_rally
- YouTube: PressOfficeOMAE
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