With his presence at this year’s Rally Acropolis, as co-driver of Manos Stefanis in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, Kostas Stefanis enters a very closed circle of competitors in the history of the World Rally Championship
At the Ceremonial Start of the Acropolis Rally, which will be the 10th round of this year’s World Rally Championship (WRC) on September 5-8, a milestone participation for the “Traction Rally Team” crew, Manos and Costa Stefanis, will be officially sealed.
The reason is that Kostas Stefanis will be at the starting point of our national race for the 30th time, completing at the same time 49 years and 3 months in the active action of the WRC, after he made his debut in the Acropolis and by extension in the top rally institution, in 1975.
In fact, the specific length of time between the first and the most recent participation in a WRC race (from 1973 to the present day), brings him into a very closed circle of only 2 competitors* – namely co-drivers – who are active in the World Rally Championship for more since 49 years!
To honor the rare occasion, this year’s effort will have as its motto the phrase “49 years rocks & dust”, which encapsulates the competitive course of Kostas Stefanis in the Acropolis Rally.
Both for the motto and for the design of the livery of the Ford Fiesta Rally3, our team collaborated once again with the internationally renowned car designer, Sotiris Kovos.
Also, on the occasion of this participation, Kostas Stefanis received wishes from his good friends, who have written their own history on the special routes of the Acropolis Rally as well as the WRC, since they count a total of 7 victories in our country and 8 world titles respectively .
So, in the video at the end of the text, you will see what Miki Biasion (World Rally Champion 1988, 1989 and winner Akropolis 1988, 1989, 1993), Marcus Gronholm (World Rally Champion 2000, 2002 and winner) said about Kostas Stefanis Acropolis 2006, 2007) and Juha Kankkunen (World Rally Champion 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993 and winner Acropolis 1986, 1991).
We remind you that Manos and Kostas Stefanis will compete in the 2024 Acropolis Rally with a Ford Fiesta Rally3, the preparation and technical support of which has been undertaken by M-Sport Poland.
In addition to the general classification and the RC3 class, the duo will also join the WRC3 championship classification, for Rally3 specification cars.
Source: Skai
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