Sporting News Historic Acropolis Rally 2026: A strong European line-up with 63 entries!
The Sporting category of the Historic Acropolis Rally records this year a participation record in the modern history of the event, with 63 crews preparing to fight their own battle from May 22 to 24 over the rally’s 13 demanding Special Stages. This year’s event retains its strong international character, as it forms the second round of the FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship, a new series introduced this year by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), following the separation of the previously unified European Historic Rally Championship. A total of 21 foreign crews will travel to our country to compete on the iconic Greek gravel stages, confirming the international appeal and ever-growing momentum of the Historic Acropolis Rally on the European motorsport scene. At the same time, the rally also counts towards the Greek Historic Gravel Rally Championship with a coefficient of 3, with all the leading contenders of the series set to take part in the most important historic car rally in Greece, aiming for both the “adventure” and valuable points for the national championship.
Among the leading names that stand out is Jari-Matti Latvala, who returns to the Greek gravel roads after last year’s victory, having taken away the best impressions from the event. The 41-year-old Finn, who still holds the record for the most starts in the history of the World Rally Championship and was the winner of the Acropolis Rally in 2013, will make his first appearance this year in the FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship. His goal is to repeat last year’s triumph, this time with Japan’s Tomiya Maekawa in the right-hand bucket seat of the Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD ST185.
Determined to put behind them the misfortunes of the past two years, Ghislain de Mevius-Johan Jalet return for a third consecutive year to the Historic Acropolis Rally, this time with a Subaru Impreza 555. The Belgian crew has already proved it has the speed on the Greek gravel stages, as in 2024 it led the Historic Acropolis Rally for most of the event. However, their effort ended prematurely, while last year they also failed to reach the finish. This year, they return determined to fight for victory.
The bucket seats of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI will be shared by Achilleas Christodoulou-Konstantinos Soukoulis. Third overall in the 2025 event and winner of the Legends category in 2024, the 21-year-old driver has shown clear racing progress in recent years and is expected to be a strong contender for a podium finish against powerful opposition. A similar target will be pursued by Kristopher Rosenberger – Nicola Janusche Bleicher, who confirmed their speed on the second leg of the Rally de Portugal last month. This will also be the driver’s second appearance on Greek gravel, as the Austrian had competed in the Acropolis Rally back in 1994.
The Czechs Vojtěch Štajf-Veronika Havelkova will make their first appearance in the event this year, competing with a Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 and aiming for a positive result as well as their first championship points. The experienced duo will look to adapt quickly to the Greek gravel stages and play a leading role in their maiden participation in the Historic Acropolis Rally.
Known to Greek motorsport fans from his appearances in the Acropolis Rally during the 1990s, Grégoire de Mevius returns to our country for a second consecutive year. The Belgian driver will share the bucket seats of a Nissan Sunny GTI-R with Andre Leyh, with the crew having left positive impressions in last year’s Historic Acropolis Rally, where they managed to finish fourth overall.
Beyond them, the leaders of the Greek Historic Rally Championship standings, Marios Stafylopatis-Giorgos Chatzirigas, are in excellent competitive form. The Greek Historic Car Champions of the past two years, who finished second overall in last year’s event, return this year aiming to challenge once again for a podium place behind the wheel of a Lancia Delta Integrale. At the same time, they hope to secure the maximum possible points for the national championship, a result that would bring them even closer to claiming another Greek title.
Coming from second place in the recent Rally Sterea Ellada, Alexandros Christodoulou-Athanasios Samaras will rely on their experience to chase a positive result and a strong position high in the overall classification. The crew, which will share the bucket seats of an impressive Lancia 037 Rally, finished sixth overall in 2024.
The leaders of the FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship standings and winners of the season opener, Christophe Jacob-Isabelle Regnier, know that in the Historic Acropolis Rally they will face much stronger competition. The Belgian crew of the Ford Escort MKII, in its second participation in the event, will be called upon to cope with the particularly demanding Greek gravel stages, with the main goal of collecting valuable points for the continuation of the championship.
In his fourth year of involvement in rallying, Nemo Mazza follows the European series this season, having made an ideal start to the year by finishing third in the championship opener. The driver from San Marino will compete in Greece for the first time, taking part in the Historic Acropolis Rally with a Ford Escort MKII and Italian co-driver Mauro Marchiori. The crew will aim for a competitive performance on the demanding Greek gravel stages, continuing its positive course in the European series.
Spectacular and fast are expected to be Darryn Snooks–Steuart Snooks, a crew travelling all the way from Australia to take part for a second consecutive year in the Historic Acropolis Rally, with a Ford Escort MKII.
The 2019 Cyprus Champion and winner of the Rally3 category in the recent Rally Sterea Ellada, Petros Panteli, will compete in the Historic Acropolis Rally with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, having Antonis Chrysostomou in the right-hand bucket seat. The Cypriot crew returns to Greece with high ambitions, following its seventh-place finish in last year’s event, and appears ready to chase an even better result against strong rivals. A dynamic return to the Historic Acropolis Rally awaits Themis Chalkias-Marios Tsaousoglou, who will share the bucket seats of an impressive Nissan 240 RS. Marking 30 years of involvement in rallying, the experienced driver has a rich record, while in his last appearance in the event in 2022, he finished eighth overall. Another crew from Cyprus will take part in the event, with Michalis Poseidias-Pambos Laos sharing the bucket seats of a fourth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer. With important distinctions in their home country, they will compete for the second time on Greek soil and for the first time in the Historic version of the Acropolis Rally. On the other hand, Dimitris Pavlos Melas-Stathis Vardaxis (Porsche 911) have not started this year’s season in the most ideal way, as they retired from the first two gravel rallies of the year. In the Historic Acropolis Rally, the crew will aim to put an end to this negative streak and reach the finish without problems. With thousands of competitive kilometres in his rich racing résumé, Sotiris Skaltsas returns to the Historic Acropolis Rally after a short break, with Lambros Zografos co-driving in the Volkswagen Golf II GTI.
Known from their participation and impressive performance in the 2023 event, where they finished fifth overall, the Czechs Oldrich Kovarik jnr–Marek Kapic will return to Greek gravel with the Skoda Favorit 136L/A. The FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship is being followed by Nikos Pavlidis, who will drive a Fiat 131 Racing under the guidance of Dimitris Koumpotis. The driver from Northern Greece did not complete his effort in the season opener in Portugal. The 2024 Greek Champion in the F2 category, Chrysos Panteli, will make his first attempt in the Historic category, getting behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III with Thomas Theofanous alongside him. A result similar to last year’s, when he finished second among the Greek crews, is the target for Giorgos Delaportas, a driver with several distinctions in the Regularity category who moved to Sporting at the beginning of 2023. In the right-hand bucket seat of the Volkswagen Golf II he will drive will be Ilias Panagiotounis. The participation of Italians Andrea Succi–Fabio Graffieti with a BMW M3 E30 is also highly anticipated. The crew already plays a leading role in the historic gravel championship, although this will be its first exploratory contact with Greek gravel. Enthusiastic about the rally’s special stages last year, Australians Philip Thomas–Darren Davison return this year with a Ford Escort MKII, aiming once again to reach the finish under the imposing rock of the Acropolis. On the Greek side, Giorgos Paradeisis is expected to challenge for a high overall placing. With the “badge of honour” of third place in the 2022 event, he will take part in the rally for the sixth time, behind the wheel of a Ford Escort MKI and with Ploutarchos Stergiou as co-driver.
Two more crews from Austria will travel to Greece for the second round of the FIA European Historic Gravel Rally Championship. Among them is the “philhellene” Georg Reitsperger, who has started four times in the modern Acropolis Rally and as many times in the Historic Acropolis Rally. Ten years after his last appearance on Greek gravel, he returns behind the wheel of a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4, with Herbert Knodl as co-driver. On the other hand, father and son Lukas and Helmut Schindelegger may be unknown to the Greek public, but they certainly do not go unnoticed. Having won the Austrian Historic Championship title three times, they come to Greece aiming to test themselves on the demanding gravel special stages with a Ford Escort MKII. Having started his career on asphalt, Dimitris Amaxopoulos moved to gravel, achieving important distinctions in the Historic category. In his fourth attempt at the Historic Acropolis Rally, he will be behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla, with Vangelis Moukas in the right-hand bucket seat. A steady presence in the rally is also maintained by Germans Siegfried Mayr-Renate Mayr (Volvo 240), who first appeared in the Historic Acropolis Rally in 2023 and have since taken part every year. With two podium finishes in the first two rounds of the Greek Historic Rally Championship, Takis Koutsikos-Alexandros Mataliotakis have made an ideal start to the season. The crew will compete with a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4, hoping to star once again in the Historic category, while Thomas Kubler–Marco Macedo return to our country this year with a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL. Having improved behind the wheel recently, Ioannis Paravalos-Dionysios Kolotouros are eager to enter the battle against the clock. The crew, which consistently takes part every year in the international rally, will be in the bucket seats of a Toyota Corolla AE92, aiming for another positive result. Familiar from their participation in the 2024 event, the Polish crew Piotr Gadomski–Bartlomiej Meka follows the newly established European series this year and returns to Greece, this time with a Volvo 142 GL. Despite his limited experience as a driver, Dimitris Trikardos has shown continuous improvement in recent rallies and will compete in the Historic Acropolis Rally with Konstantinos Verykakis in the right-hand bucket seat of a Ford Escort MKI. Konstantinos Argyriou works “wonders” with the Toyota Starlet EP71 in his hands and returns to the rally with Stamatis Laskos by his side. This is a crew that delivered an impressive performance in 2023, finishing eighth overall. Angelos Zivas-Grigoris Pierroutsakos return to the rally four years after their last appearance, while they will be back in the bucket seats of a Toyota Starlet EP81 for the first time in 30 years.
Theodoros Kalamaras-Dimitris Lamprakis will compete with a Toyota Starlet KP61, a crew that has successfully completed all three of its previous appearances in the rally. Another return to the event, after a one-year break, will see Vasilis Batis-Minoas Michelakis put on their belts and helmets once again and share the bucket seats of a Toyota Starlet EP71. Pavlos Votzakis-Antonis Rekkas will start with an Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina, while Giorgos Dontos will have a Nissan Pulsar in his hands, taking part in the rally for the fourth time with Nikos Intzoglou alongside him. Ten years have passed since Christos Oikonomou last took part in a rally, with the driver from Northern Greece entering the battle against the clock with Antonis Garyfalis in the right-hand bucket seat of a Renault 19. The 2014 Greek Historic Champion, Giorgos Kasidopoulos (Toyota Corolla AE86), will chase his first finish in this year’s Historic championship, having the valuable guidance of Nikolaos Kotsadam. Four years after his last participation in the Historic Acropolis Rally, the 1997 Greek Group N Champion, Vasilis Chalkias returns to the rally, this time with a Nissan Sunny GTI-R and Christos Malissovas by his side. Faithful to their appointment with the international rally once again are Pantelis Antonopoulos-Maira Kallitsi. With a Ford Escort MKII, the crew continues its uninterrupted presence in the event, having participated in every edition of the rally since 2015. From the Czech Republic, Oldrich Kovarik senior–Karel Jiratko will travel to Greece with a rare Skoda Octavia Super. Stelios Giamalakis-Nikos Samios will compete with a white Subaru Impreza WRX, hoping to reach the finish without problems. Speed, however, is certainly not lacking from the Lamia crew Konstantinos Mylonas-Nikolaos Paraperas, a crew that delivered a strong performance in 2024, finishing eighth overall. Having his son, Nikolaos Vytogiannis, in the right-hand bucket seat of a Subaru Impreza GT Turbo, Kyriakos Vytogiannis takes part in the rally again this year, continuing the family presence in the event. With a new car, Giorgos Chatzigakis-Ioannis Tolias will enter the battle of the 13 Special Stages, sharing the bucket seats of a Toyota Starlet. ichalis Nomikos returned to active competition in the recent Rally Sterea Ellada after a three-year absence, and in the Historic Acropolis Rally he will drive a Toyota Starlet, with Ioannis Giotis by his side.
Aiming for a trouble-free rally, Akis Ladias will head down to Lamia with the guidance of the very experienced Michalis Patrikousis, who will read the notes from the right-hand bucket seat of a Toyota Starlet. A different-generation Toyota Starlet will be used by Giorgos Bertsatos-Kostas Kontos in the driver’s fourth year of involvement in motorsport. Another crew from Northern Greece will take part in the international rally, with Antonis Ganos-Petros Konstas competing with a Mercedes-Benz 190E in their fourth appearance in the Historic Acropolis Rally. On the other hand, Ippokratis Palapanoglou will make his first appearance as a driver in the “marathon” rally, having Panagiotis Gliatis in the right-hand bucket seat of a Toyota Corolla TE30. With a new co-driver, Ioannis Tzogias, Konstantinos Kofinas will compete with a Toyota Corolla AE86. The 2022 edition was the occasion for Ioannis Kalaitzian to “step onto” gravel, and since then he has been a regular presence in the rally. Co-driver in the Fiat Ritmo 125 TC will be “Marianna Kalogiratou”. Five years have passed since the last participation of Panos Konstantakos, who returns to active competition, this time with a Toyota Starlet EP81 and Ioannis Ravanos by his side. Spiros Moustakas-Apostolos Lakasas will make their debut in the Sporting category of the Historic Acropolis Rally with a Mazda 323. In the first rally of his life, 23-year-old Alexandros Ganos will compete with Rania Kyrlagkitsi in the right-hand bucket seat of a Toyota Starlet EP81.
Fanis Rachoutis-Andreas Grigoropoulos will compete on home ground with the same car, while Alexandros Papandreou-Dimitrios Rizopoulos will share the bucket seats of a Toyota Starlet. All-terrain competitors Patroklos Kansos-Achilleas Ladas will take part with a BMW 320/6, while Kleon Tsetis-Nikolaos Papadimas will make their gravel debut with a Lada VAZ 2107. Lovers of the Historic Acropolis Rally, Ilkka Kalmanlehto–Janna Salopuro, come to our country once again with a Datsun 160J. Manolis Panagiotopoulos, with vast experience in the sport, having started his racing career in the 1970s, will be behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris under the guidance of Spiros Bogdanos.
The route of the Historic Acropolis Rally, renewed compared with recent years, passes through iconic special stages that have left their own mark on the history of the Acropolis Rally. On the afternoon of Friday, May 22, the Ceremonial Start of the rally will take place at 19:30 in the “heart” of Lamia. Eleftherias Square will serve as the starting point of this year’s Historic Acropolis Rally, before the participants tackle the first stage of the rally, which will be held at night. With their competition lights switched on, the crews will go up against the clock on the “Stirfaka” Special Stage, measuring 12.07 km, before returning for the overnight halt at the Service Park, which will be hosted at the Panhellenic Exhibition of Lamia. The grounds of the Panhellenic Exhibition of Lamia have traditionally formed the centre of activities for the Acropolis Rally, as well as for rounds of the Greek Rally Championship, providing the necessary infrastructure to host both the teams and the organisation. The Service Park of the Historic Acropolis Rally, as well as Rally Headquarters, will be set up at the Exhibition facilities.
On Saturday, May 23, the programme includes a total of 7 special stages in the regions of Fthiotida and Karditsa. The participants will start early in the morning from the Service Park and compete on the “Kalamaki” special stage, measuring 12.99 km, which is known from earlier editions of the modern Acropolis Rally. Memories from the past will be revived by the rally’s third stage, “Makryrachi” (8.37 km), a stage whose name has been linked with the Acropolis Rally, having formed an integral part of the event during the 1980s and 1990s. The route continues with the “Achladia” Special Stage, measuring 13.45 competitive kilometres, before the crews head to Anavra for the midday service.
They will then return to “Makryrachi” for the second pass through the stage, followed by the second run of the “Achladia” Special Stage. Next, the crews will head to another iconic stage of the rally, “Tarzan”, measuring 15.05 km, a route that has written its own special history in the Acropolis Rally. “Tarzan” is among the most famous and demanding special stages of the Greek rally, combining fast sections with technical and narrow parts through the forest of Oiti, and has always been a true test for crews. The stage was first included in the programme of our national rally in the late 1970s, quickly earning a special place in the memory of motorsport fans. After an absence of around 15 years, it returned to the spotlight with the comeback of the Acropolis Rally to the World Rally Championship in 2021. This year, “Tarzan” is included for the first time in the Historic Acropolis Rally programme, giving historic cars the opportunity to compete on one of the country’s most distinctive and beloved routes. Saturday’s leg concludes with the “Stirfaka” Special Stage, measuring 12.07 km, before the participants return to the Lamia National Trade Fair.
On Sunday, May 23, the crews will depart from Lamia heading to the first Special Stage of the day, “Amfikleia”, measuring 13.17 km. This will be followed by the “Elateia” Special Stage (11.65 km), which was also included in the 2025 programme, before the demanding “Mavroneri” stage (13.35 km), ahead of the crews’ trip to Aliartos for the midday service. The day’s programme continues with the “Thiva” Special Stage, measuring 14.91 km, while the rally will conclude with the final stage of this year’s Historic Acropolis Rally, “Neochoraki”, measuring 13.62 competitive kilometres. After a total of 13 Special Stages and 162.52 competitive kilometres, the crews will finish in Athens, against the backdrop of the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis.
The Region of Central Greece is one of the main supporters of this year’s Historic Acropolis Rally, actively contributing to the organisation and smooth running of the event. Through its support, the unique routes of the area are highlighted and Central Greece is promoted. The contribution of the Regional Unit of Karditsa is also significant, as it actively supports the rally. Through the event, the Karditsa area gains additional exposure, hosting crews and visitors from Europe who have the opportunity to discover the beauty of the region and its hospitality.
The Municipality of Lamia plays a key role in the organisation, as Lamia is one of the main reference points of the rally, hosting the Service Park and Rally Headquarters. The Historic Acropolis Rally contributes to the promotion of the city as a centre for major sporting events. At the same time, the Municipality of Sofades actively supports the rally’s presence in the area, strengthening the connection of the local community with motorsport and highlighting the region through an international historic event.
Valuable assistance to the organisers of the Historic Acropolis Rally is also provided by the Region of Attica and the Regional Unit of Boeotia. In addition to the Municipality of Lamia and the Municipality of Sofades, the Historic Acropolis Rally is also supported by the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Thebes, the Municipality of Tanagra, the Municipality of Livadeia, the Municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia and the Municipality of Aliartos.
The media sponsor is Cosmote TV, which in recent years has been present at all motorsport events in Greece.
On the official website of the rally (www.historicacropolis.gr) and on the Digital Notice Board (https://webapp.sportity.com/event/SPO26HACROPOLIS/4d688753-3a47-4c32-a1be-c8ae3678e4d2), you can stay informed about all the news of the PEMA Historic Acropolis Rally.
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