The Acropolis Rally: Ancient heritage and modern passion

Rooted in Greek history and mythology, the Acropolis Rally has become a cornerstone event in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Since its inception, this demanding rally echoing Greece's ancient heritage in the modern world of motorsport. After a notable absence, its return in 2021 reignited the competitive spirit, drawing top global talents and restoring Greece's prominent place on the international stage.

A text written by Nikolas Kilias

Greece is a country with a rich history and culture, having a significant impact on world sports from ancient times to the present day. As is well known, Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the most important sporting event in modern times. We must not forget that in ancient times, sports were considered a critical part of culture and lifestyle. Nowadays, Greece is home to one of the most popular motorsport events, the Acropolis Rally, widely known as the “Rally of the Gods”.

The Acropolis Rally, which started in 1953, has become one of the most important and demanding events in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The twisted and rough gravel roads of the Greek countryside demand endurance and vigor from both drivers and cars. For three decades after 1980, the Acropolis Rally witnessed some of the most intense competition between legendary drivers like Auriol, Loeb, Ogier, McRae, Solberg, Mäkinen, and Sainz. We should also not forget to mention the only female winner of the Greek Rally, the French Michèle Mouton. It is also worth mentioning some iconic manufacturers that thrived, like Peugeot, Renault, Citroën, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Subaru. After an absence of almost a decade, the rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021, reigniting interest in the event and drawing top drivers from teams like Citroën, Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford. The competition remains fierce, with rally legends and new talents alike battling to win the trophy in one of the most difficult WRC rallies.

Text and photos credit: Nikolas Kilias for Paris/Athens Magazine. All rights reserved.

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