Acropolis Rally
The Acropolis Rally Greece (Officially known as BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece) is the eighth rally on the World Rally Championship schedule for 2006. It was held on June 2, 2006 through June 4, 2006. Held on extremely dusty, very rough and very rocky mountain roads in blistering heat during the Greek summer period around the city of Athens.But the highlight of the Rally is the Super Special Stage in Athens Olympic Stadium. The rally is know for being extremely tough on the competing cars and drivers. In 2005 it was announced Rally of the Year.
General Info
The Acropolis Rally has been held for 51 years by the Greek Automobile Union (ELPA), making it one of the longest-standing in world rallying. Many famous rallying individuals have won this event including Walter Röhrl, Björn Waldegård, Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomqvist, Juha Kankkunen and Carlos Sainz, among others.
Due to the nature of the rally, with a mix of rough, twisty mountain stages and coupled with blistering heat and choking dust, the Acropolis Rally is one of the toughest on the world rally circuit. Cars that are used in this race have to be build with extra sturdiness in order to cope with the fast but rock-strewn stages. Drivers and co-drivers also have to content with the pounding terrain and high summer temperatures which often reach 50°C within the cockpit.
In 2005, a new stage was introduced. The superspecial was held within the Olympic Stadium, Athens.
Winners
- 2006 – Marcus Grönholm, Ford
- 2005 – Sébastien Loeb, Citroën
- 2004 – Petter Solberg, Subaru
- 2003 – Markko Märtin, Ford
- 2002 – Colin McRae, Ford
- 2001 – Colin McRae, Ford
- 2000 – Colin McRae, Ford
- 1999 – Richard Burns, Subaru
- 1998 – Colin McRae, Subaru
- 1997 – Carlos Sainz, Ford
- 1996 – Colin McRae, Subaru
- 1994 – Carlos Sainz, Subaru
- 1993 – Miki Biasion, Ford
- 1992 – Didier Auriol, Lancia
- 1991 – Juha Kankkunen, Lancia
- 1990 – Carlos Sainz, Toyota
- 1989 – Miki Biasion, Lancia
- 1988 – Miki Biasion, Lancia
- 1987 – Markku Alén, Lancia
- 1986 – Juha Kankkunen, Peugeot
- 1985 – Timo Salonen, Peugeot
- 1984 – Stig Blomqvist, Audi
- 1983 – Walter Röhrl, Lancia
- 1982 – Michèle Mouton, Audi
- 1981 – Ari Vatanen, Ford
- 1980 – Ari Vatanen, Ford
- 1979 – Björn Waldegård, Ford
- 1978 – Walter Röhrl, Fiat
- 1977 – Björn Waldegård, Ford
- 1976 – Harry Källström, Datsun
- 1975 – Walter Röhrl, Opel
- 1974 – Event cancelled.
- 1973 – Jean-Luc Thérier, Alpine-Renault
See also
- FIA Official Website
- FIA World Rally Championship
- FIA Junior World Rally Championship
- FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
- Rallystuff.net (Unofficial WRC Fan Site)
- RallyBase
- Rallye-Info.com (formerly WRC-Online.net)
- Historic Acropolis Rally