In a difficult moment for Greece, which is still living the consequences of extreme weather phenomena and mourning victims, this year’s event is a ray of optimism.

From the EKO Super Special Stage at Platia Nerou to the final day’s Wolf Power Stage, in an unprecedented setting of muddy tracks and extremely difficult conditions, 69 crews fought epic battles to the fullest celebrating the birthday of an institution, which is not without reason known as the “Rally of the Gods”.

The WRC’s most famous race has become even more unpredictable, demanding and dramatic this year. The toughest in recent years! So much so that almost all the drivers did not fail to congratulate and thank the organization, which according to the winner of the WRC2 category, Andreas Mikkelsen, “did an incredible job to keep the race going smoothly”.

Rovanpera’s second victory in the EKO Rally Acropolis was not an easy task. The young Finn had a great battle with Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier, until both of his rivals knew the harsh face of the race and were taken out. From that point on, he had no problem managing his gap to the rest and taking his third win of the year. A victory that brings him even closer to his second consecutive title.

Toyota Gazoo Racing took an important step towards retaining the Constructors’ Championship, with Elfyn Evans completing the Japanese team’s emphatic “1-2” on Greek soil.

The Brit suffered problems that cost him valuable time, but today he managed to overcome Dani Sordo’s obstacle and climb to the second step of the podium.

The Spanish driver kept the flag flying for Hyundai Shell Mobis, driving the i20 N Rally1 to third, ahead of Ott Tanak in the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1. The Estonian lost all hope of victory from just the second day, due to the time penalty he received after a problem with the water pump. Nevertheless, he stayed in the battle and was compensated with fourth place, a result that for him is the best in recent months! Esapekka Lappi in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and Takamoto Katsuta in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 completed the top six, having also faced several problems on the acropolar special stages.

The hard Greek surfaces also plagued the WRC2 crews, with Andreas Mikkelsen taking an emphatic victory! The Norwegian driver had three spins on day one, but then took off in the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to take his third class win of the year. He was followed by Gus Greensmith and Yohan Rossel, in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Citroen C3 Rally2, respectively. The Brit could have claimed victory today, but a differential problem prevented him from fighting as hard as he would have liked.

At the EKO Rally Acropolis, the title in the Youth category (JWRC) was decided, with the evolution of the race reminiscent of a thriller! The big favourite, Ireland’s William Creighton, retired on the first day with a radiator problem, which put Laurent Pellier in a strong position. But luck was not on the Frenchman’s side, who in turn retired on day three with a mechanical problem, leaving Diego Dominguez in first place. The Paraguayan driver suddenly had the first say in the title, but Creighton’s return to SuperRally status allowed him to stay in the game. Thus, taking sixth place in the category and taking advantage of the double points he received (with a factor of 2 in the EKO Rally Acropolis), the Irishman finally celebrated the title of Youth Champion.

From the Greek side, the hard special routes of the race led to the abandonment of several crews that sought the distinction. Iordanis Serderidis finished first among the Greek crews with the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1. He followed his own pace throughout the race, avoiding trouble, a tactic that paid off in the end. Behind him, always at the level of informal Greek classification, followed Chrysostomos Karellis with the Citroen C3 Rally2. The driver from Lamia moved intelligently on all three days of the race, combining the result with the substance. Nontas Karanikolas was unlucky today, who retired from a broken suspension in the Ford Fiesta Rally3 and while he was third among the Greek crews. A position which passed into the hands of Themis Halkias with the impressive Renault Clio Rally3. Finally, in the RC4 class, the victory ended up in Greek hands, and specifically in those of Savvas Lefkaditis, who successfully passed the test of the EKO Rally Acropolis with the Peugeot 208 Rally4.

Seventy years after the first start under the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the Greek rally has established itself among the elite of motorsport. It improved, it evolved, it masterfully combined tradition and innovation, it became the benchmark of the different and the original. Our “national race”, the ECO Rally Acropolis 2023, managed to once again become the focus of motoring, but also of cultural interest!