Sporting News Sporting – Leg 1: Latvala-Hussi in the lead!
Jari-Matti Latvala – Jani Hussi dominated the first leg of the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally and gained a significant lead in the battle for victory.
The seventh round of the European Historic Rally Championship is hosted in Greece, with 52 crews taking on the challenge of the timing in the 7 special stages of the first leg.
As expected, Latvala-Hussi left no room for their rivals, building a safe lead from the very first special stage. However, once again, challenges arose for the former WRC star, as on Parnassos he experienced an engine issue with the Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185), losing over half a minute. The mechanical problem was resolved at the afternoon service, with the crew setting strong foundations early for their third win of the year in the European Historic Rally Championship. In second place after the first leg were Ghislain de Mevius – Johan Jalet with the Mazda 323 GTX. The Belgian crew, in only their second participation in the rally, could not keep up with the leaders’ pace, affected by a long absence from competition, and will aim on Sunday to maintain their position. Despite traction problems, Marios Stafilopatis – Giorgos Chatzirigas are third with the Lancia Delta Integrale 16V. Last year’s Greek Historic Rally Champions slid through the stages, including a spin on Parnassos. Despite the difficulties, they are leading the Greek Championship classification and are strongly contending for a podium finish.
Gregoire de Mevius – Andre Leyh, returning to Greek soil, are fourth after an issue-free first leg. Driving the Nissan Sunny GTi-R, the familiar competitor impressed the Greek fans and is expected to battle with Stafilopatis-Chatzirigas for third place on Sunday, as the gap between them is less than six seconds. Despite a puncture on Parnassos, Achilleas Christodoulou – Konstantinos Soukoulis are fifth overall with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, participating exclusively in the Greek round. The 20-year-old driver gradually increased his pace, recording the second fastest time on both Akraifnio and the night stage in Amfissa. Behind them are the European Championship leaders Maciej Lubiak – Grzegorz Dachowski with the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Aiming to finish and collect valuable points for the championship, the Polish duo chose not to push during Saturday’s leg. One minute behind are fellow European Championship contenders, Will Graham – James O’Brien, on their first encounter with Greek roads, unable to match the pace of the Poles in the rear-wheel-drive BMW M3 E30.
Eighth overall are Petros Panteli – Antonis Chrysostomou in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II, competing in the Greek round. The 2019 Cyprus Champion suffered a puncture mid-leg, losing valuable time. One place behind overall are Alexandros Christodoulou – Athanasios Samaras in the Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, ranked second in the Greek Historic Rally Championship. The top ten is rounded out by the Italians Enrico Brazzoli – Martina Musiari, who chose not to push in the first leg with the Porsche 911 RS Carrera RS 2.7. On their fifth Historic Acropolis Rally, the British duo Ernie Graham – Karen Graham are slightly behind in the Ford Escort RS1800 MKII and will chase the Italians on Sunday, followed by “Sassos” – Alexandros Mataliotakis. The crew, on their first encounter with the Subaru Legacy 4WD Turbo, faced brake problems during the day, which they later overcame, securing third place in the Greek Historic Rally Championship. The first front-wheel-drive Greek crew are Giorgos Delaportas – Evangelos Panaritis (Volkswagen Golf II), who overcame radiator issues in the morning stages to move up the standings. Dimitris Pavlos Melas – Stathis Vardaxis follow in fifth place with the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0, ahead of Giorgos Paradeisis – Ploutarchos Stergiou (Ford Escort RS 2000 MKI) in the battle for victory in Category 2 of the Greek round.
In second among the front-wheel drives after the first leg were Ioannis Paravalos – Dionysis Kolotouros (Toyota Corolla AE92), who despite minor issues, successfully reached Itea on Saturday evening. Third in front-wheel-drive Category 2 are Ioannis Kalaitzian – “Marianna Kalogiratou” with the Fiat Ritmo 125 TC. The battle for third place in Greek Category 2 is ongoing between Petros Vassilopoulos – Takis Koukliambis and Dimitris Trikardos – Nikolaos Manouskos (Ford Escort RS 2000 MKI). Leading Greek Category 3 are Theodoros Kalamaras – Dimitris Lambrakis with the Toyota Starlet 1300 KP61.
Brake problems with the Ford Escort RS2000 MKII in the opening stage prevented Panagiotis Paradeisis – Michalis Fragkou from fighting for a strong result. Valuable time was lost due to off-road incidents for Chara Moraiti – Dimitris Amaxopoulos (Toyota Corolla KE30) and Ioannis Tsalamatas – Nikos Bampalis (Ford Escort RS2000 MKII), while the Australians Darren Snooks – Stuart Snooks impressed with their runs before retiring. Steering and suspension problems forced Charalampos Bousounis – Nikos Giannopoulos to drop down the standings.
On the morning of Sunday, September 7, the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally crews will compete again on the Amfissa special stage (11.75 km), this time in daylight, and will then move to the Oinochori (10.02 km) and Amfikleia (13.89 km) special stages. A mid-leg service will take place in Amfikleia, followed by the Elatia-Zeli (11.65 km) and Amfikleia (13.89 km) stages. The PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally concludes with the Oinochori (10.02 km) stage.
The finish will take place at the forecourt of the Delphi European Conference Center at 17:30, followed by the awards ceremony at the Phrynichos Theater at 18:30.
The title sponsor of this year’s rally is PEMA, specializing in complete refueling and lubrication solutions for ships worldwide. With a strong supplier network and strategic partnerships, PEMA ensures fast, reliable, and high-quality service 24/7, whether in busy ports or remote locations. PEMA is the partner that keeps you always ready.
Valuable support for the organizers comes this year from the Region of Attica, the Regional Unit of Boeotia, and the Regional Unit of Phocis. Also supporting the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally are the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Thebes, the Municipality of Tanagra, the Municipality of Livadeia, the Municipality of Delphi, the Municipality of Orchomenos, the Municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia, and the Municipality of Aliartos.
Media sponsor is Cosmote TV, present in all motorsport events in Greece in recent years.
For full news updates on the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally, visit the official website (www.historicacropolis.gr) and the Electronic Notice Board (https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/ACR25FIA).
Official Website: www.historicacropolis.gr
Live Results: https://www.infomega.gr/live/
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