Sporting News PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally 2025: Shakedown
The first sounds of rally cars echoed in the area of Thiva on the afternoon of Thursday, September 4th, as the Shakedown took place – an optional session allowing competitors to make their final adjustments before the official start. Eleven crews in total participated, testing their cars and fine-tuning every detail ahead of the seventh round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship. The PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally is now underway, setting the stage for an exciting three-day event full of intensity, spectacle, and racing action across the stunning special stages of Central Greece, Viotia, and Phocis.
Jari-Matti Latvala, the driver with the most starts in the World Rally Championship, currently competing in the European Historic Rally series, set the fastest time in the Shakedown, showing his competitive edge. With co-driver Jani Hussi in a Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD ST185, the Finnish driver is aiming for his third victory of the season to regain the championship lead. Last year’s unlucky crew, Ghislain de Mevius and Johan Jalet, set the second fastest time in the Shakedown and will be chasing victory in their Mazda 323 GTX, fully aware of the challenge ahead.
Meanwhile, 33 years after his first Acropolis Rally in a Nissan Sunny GTI-R, Belgian driver Gregoire de Mevius returned to Greek soil with the same car to compete in the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally. Together with co-driver Andre Leyh, he showed in the Shakedown that he will be competitive while delivering exciting moments. Young driver Achilleas Christodoulou made his final adjustments in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, racing for the first time with co-driver Konstantinos Soukoulis. Last year’s Acropolis Rally Legends winner, the 21-year-old is aiming for another significant achievement, this time in Category 5.
Maciej Lubiak and Grzegorz Dachowski, with their Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, completed three runs in Thiva and aim to maintain their top position in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship. Italian Enrico Brazzoli, returning to Greece with co-driver Martina Musiari, made four Shakedown runs in a Porsche 911 SC RS and is expected to be highly competitive in the two-day rally.
From the Greek competitors, last year’s unlucky crew, Giorgos Delaportas and Evangelos Panaritis followed further behind and aim to reach the finish line in Delphi in their Volkswagen Golf II. “Sassos” – Alexandros Mataliotakis had his first encounter with the white Subaru Legacy Turbo 4WD in the Shakedown, finishing ahead of Dimitris Trikardos and Nikolaos Manouskos (Ford Escort RS 2000 MKI), who are competing for the second consecutive year. Savvas Tzilavis and Giorgos Dimopoulos (Ford Escort RS 2000 MKI) completed four Shakedown runs and are ready to battle the clock. Greek-born Andrea Farmakakis, inspired by last year’s stages, returned with co-driver Fabio Salis in a Ford Escort RS 2000 MKII, aiming for a smooth and successful rally.
The PEMA Acropolis Historic Rally continues on Friday, September 5th, with the Administrative and Technical Scrutineering from 08:00 to 16:00 at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens (OAKA). At 18:30, the Ceremonial Start will take place in the shadow of the Acropolis, with the cars overnighting in OAKA’s courtyard before embarking on the two-day adventure across 13 Special Stages that make up the seventh round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship.
For all the latest updates, results, and news on the PEMA Acropolis Historic Rally, visit the official website www.historicacropolis.gr or the Digital Notice Board here.
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