The EKO Rally Acropolis demonstrated its demanding nature in a dramatic way today. Neither more nor less, on the second stage we saw a complete reversal of the race’s standings.

Hyundai, as expected, fought back and even reaped the rewards of that pick, with Thierry Neville, Ott Tanak and Dani Sordo occupying the top three positions just three stages from the finish ramp.

The tough, technical stages of today’s stage again took a toll on crews and cars. After all, the “Rally of the Gods” was never an easy affair. Adding to the difficulty of the road surface was the high temperature – even over 35 degrees Celsius – in the racing areas, elements that pushed people and machines to their limits – especially the hybrid systems of the Rally1 cars.

The situation is characterized by the fact that many motorists gave very little or no information after the end of the special routes in order not to stop in order to achieve faster cooling in the hydraulic and electrical systems of their cars.

The day started with a counterattack from the Hyundais, with Tanak in particular determined to gain places in the overall standings of the race by setting the fastest time on the first special of the day and the longest of the rally (Pyrgos, 33.20km). . .

Sebastian Lebb, who was leading the race at this point, was also quick and was able to stay in the lead after the end of the special stage. On the easy path and heading towards the second ed of the leg (Orchard 1), his luck ran out as he had to retire due to a problem with the dynamo belt.

However, all crews had to contend with minor or major problems. A branch at ed 9 (Perivoli 1) slowed down the run of Pierre-Louis Loubet, who won the first half of the season with his performances. On the same special, Kale Rovanpera had a dismount that damaged the rear of the Yaris, losing more than 6 minutes.

For his part, Esapeka Lapi lost hope of a podium finish after a problem with the fuel pump during the race. 12 (Orchard 2) and the inevitable demolition on the easy route.

Instead, Thierry Neville, who took charge after the issue, benefited from good pace and the right set-up and tire choice. 9 and was able to stay there until the end of the day thanks to three best times in consecutive special stages.

27.9” off the lead thanks to his consistency – and despite some differential issues – Tanak climbed, followed by Danny Sordo, completing an emphatic 1-2-3 for Hyundai. The Spaniard might not have been among the fastest in the race, but with his characteristic consistency he flirtted with the podium again at the end of the day, taking advantage of Lappi’s task.

But he can’t rest because Elfin Evans with his Toyota GR Yaris is just 7.1” behind. Further behind are Loubet, Craig Breen (both in the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1) and Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota Yaris Rally1). The day’s key retirements include those of Gus Grismith and Iordanis Serderidis, both in the Ford Puma Rally1.

The top-5 in the EKO Rally Acropolis 2022 ranking after the second stage

1. Thierry Neville for Martin Vidage (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT)
2. Ot Tanak – Martin Jarveoja (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT) +27.9”
3. Dani Sordo – Cadito Carrera (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT) +52.9”
4. Elfin Evans – Scott Martin (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT) +1′ 00.0”
5. Pierre-Louis Loubet – Vincent Landet (M-Sport Ford WRT) +2′ 40.1”

WRC2

In the WRC 2 category, Emil Lindholm (Skoda Fabia Evo) was able to stay in the lead with a safety advantage. Bad luck knocked on Timos Suninen’s (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) door, who had to retire on the final stage with a fuel pump problem.

As a result, Nikolai Greizin (Skoda Fabia Evo) climbed into second place ahead of Johan Rossel (Citroen C3 Rally2), who lost time with a flat tyre. Alexandros Tsouloftas won the impressions. The Cypriot with a constant pace made it to 4th place in the category with the Volkswagen Polo GTI Rally2!

The Greeks

In the informal Greek classification, Lambros Athanassoulas remain in first place with Nikos Zakkhaios (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) but are struggling a lot due to a leg problem from the Greek driver. Vassilis and Yiannis Velanis (Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2), following their own strategy, are one place behind while the (Greek) trio of Nasos Karanikolas-Yiannis Kakavas is completed with Ford Fiesta Rally3, who are second in their category!!

The main retirements of the day include those of Giorgos Kehagias-Dimitris Sainis (Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2) and Chrysostomos Karellis-Leonidas Machiras (Citroen C3 Rally2) due to a throttle and exhaust problem respectively.

Junior WRC

In the JWRC, the battle rages on, with Robert Virves remaining at the top of the standings but Britain’s John Armstrong closing the gap clearly. In the institution of the future champions of the WRC, where we remind you that all the participants drive Ford Fiesta Rally3, the title will be decided on Greek soil and it is logical that fear is red for the two contenders for the title! Irishman William Creighton completes the top 3.

Sunday, the last day of racing, is apparently the shortest at 45.06 kilometers, but remains just as demanding. After all, you can never be sure of the result in the ECO Rallye Akropolis until you reach the finish ramp.

The statements of the protagonists after the second part.

#69 Kale Rovanpera – Jone Haltunen (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT)

“We are focused. Today was marked by a mistake. If we had avoided that, we could have scored a few points. We’ll try, but I don’t think we can hope for points on the Power Stage. In terms of speed, we’re not where we’d like to be.”

#8 Ot Tanak – Martin Jarveoja (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT)

“I was a bit disappointed because we had some issues that stopped our pace. But we didn’t give up. The team put a lot of effort into keeping the car fighting. I don’t think Thierry will give me his place . It is exaggerated to ask for such a thing…”.

#11 Thierry Neville – Martin Vidage (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT)

“Our speed was fine. I had to manage my tires. I had some minor issues with the car and was stressed, but here we are at last. The problem in the hybrid unit was greater than in the others. The goal is to get the three Hyundais on the podium.”

#33 Elfin Evans-Scott Martin (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT)

“We had a problem with the hybrid system at the beginning of ED13 and had to restart it. The afternoon was better, our times improved. We have to keep up the pressure to get a place on the podium.”

#18 Takamoto Katsuta – Aaron Johnston (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT New Generation)

“We’re trying to find something. I don’t feel comfortable with the car. It is not easy. Even staying on the street is difficult. But we are here and we have to focus on tomorrow. These temperatures put a strain on the body and the car.”

#42 Craig Breen – Paul Nagle (M Sport Ford WRT)

“It’s surprising that we didn’t have any problems today. It’s sad what happened yesterday. The temperature in the car was crazy. We won’t have a bad starting order and tomorrow will be better.”

#6 Dani Sordo – Cadito Carrera (Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT)

“I felt a little better today. Not really fast, careful not to make a mistake because doing the 1-2-3 will be perfect. My tires were in bad shape and I had a problem with the hybrid unit, but we managed to come back.”

#7 Pierre-Louis Loubet – Vincent Landet (M-Sport Ford WRT)

“It was very difficult in the afternoon. We had little problems all the time. Eventually my mind was on the engine and I lost the brakes causing me to go off the road. I thought we could get a great result in this rally. But we missed the opportunity with the branching. Tomorrow we will push to get the best possible position.”

#25 Emil Lindholm – Rita Hamalainen (Skoda Fabia Evo)

“Challenging, but beautiful day. The stages were too long with too many curves. But we had a good day, we had fun. We’ll continue the same tomorrow and see what happens.”

#49 Lampros Athanassoulas – Nikos Zakhaios (Hyundai i20 N Rally2)

“What can we say; we’re here, that’s all. We lost hydraulic support in the last 15km and I’ve already passed out!”

#50 Alexandros Tsouloftas – Ross Whittock (Volkswagen Polo GTI Rally2)

“Difficult day with two shootings. We drive at a safe pace and want to hold our position. Tomorrow is a relatively easy day with just three stages and we’ll be going at the same pace.”

#53 Vassilis Velanis – Giannis Velanis (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo Rally2)

“It was a difficult day and I definitely want to congratulate my co-driver. The specials were clearly of an acropolar nature. We saw that it was difficult conditions and we managed to survive. Tomorrow is a new day”.

#54 Themis Chalkias / Andreas Vigos (Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2)

“The feeling of racing in front of so many people on the stages is great. We ride at a comfortable pace, not taking any risks, just enjoying the ride and giving the world a show where we can.”

#65 Nontas Karanikolas – Giorgos Kakavas (Ford Fiesta Rally3)

“Difficult day with very high temperatures. We haven’t had any problems. We’re trying our best. Tomorrow we have three stages and we hope to finish.”

Sportish lives the legendary EKO Acropolis Rally together with EKO, the largest Greek marketing company in its category and a main sponsor of the event and also the “EKO Super Special Stage” in OAKA.