Rally Acropolis - Program

The Acropolis Rally - round six - is one of the most historic rallies in the FIA World Rally Championship and is the fourth consecutive gravel event in the 2013 series.

Based in the coastal resort of Loutraki, the Acropolis has a mighty reputation for being one of the toughest events on the calendar. Searing summer temperatures command peak performance from driver and co-driver and, mechanically, a blend of strength, reliability and speed are required to conquer the abrasive rock-strewn mountain stages.

The event will once again start at the Zappion in Athens, this year on Friday afternoon, and will immediately be followed by two stages, the second in darkness. While the competitive kilometres have been reduced this year, and the rally shortened by one day, the challenge will be no less for the 50 registered entrants in the 59th edition of the Acropolis Rally.

CHANGES TO THE ROUTE SINCE 2012

There are eight different stages on the 2013 Acropolis Rally and, in some way, all will be familiar to the crews. Four stages are totally unchanged from 2012 (SS3/7, SS4/8, SS5/9 and SS6/10) while the remaining four stages have modifications and new sections.

ACROPOLIS RALLY

— Round: 6/13
— Base and service park: Loutraki
— Surface: Gravel
— Weather: Mediterranean summer climate, with generally hot temperatures that can exceed 30°C.
— Sunrise and sunset on the first day of the rally: 6.05am/8.41pm
— Local time: GMT+3
— Currency: Local currency is the Euro.
— Website: www.acropolisrally.gr
— Technical information: Spare parts (gearbox, differentials, subframes, steering racks and turbochargers) are to be shared with the Portugal and Sardinia rallies.
— Tyres: 35 Michelin Latitude Cross tyres to be chosen from 35 hard compound and 16 soft compound tyres.
— Reconnaissance: Wednesday, 29 May and Thursday, 30 May, from 7am to 11pm.
— Free practice and qualifying stage: Friday, 31 May from 8am on a 3.10km-long stage, 6.05km from the service park.
— Route: 14 special stages (8 different stages). 306.53km of timed sections. Total distance: 1,052.50km.

ACROPOLIS RALLY ITINERARY

FRIDAY 31 MAY
8.00am: Free practice
10.33am: Qualifying stage (3.10km)
12.15pm: Selection of starting positions (Service Park)
1.00pm: FIA Pre-Event Press Conference (Media Centre)
5.00pm: Ceremonial start (Zappion – Athens)
6.28pm: SS1 – Kineta-Pissia (47.70km)
8.13pm: Service A (30 min)
9.26pm: SS2 – Kineta (26.05km)
10.08pm: Flexi Service B (45 min)

SATURDAY 1 JUNE
7.15am: Service C (15 min)
8.23am: SS3 – Klenia Mycenae 1 (17.41km)
9.38am: SS4 – Ghymno 1 (17.61km)
10.33am: SS5 – Kefalari 1 (18.40km)
11.49am: SS6 – Ziria 1 (21.36km)
1.47pm: Service D (30 min)
3.10pm: SS7 – Klenia Mycenae 2 (17.41km)
4.25pm: SS8 – Ghymno 2 (17.61km)
5.20pm: SS9 – Kefalari 2 (18.40km)
6.46pm: SS10 – Ziria 2 (21.36km)
8.21pm: Flexi Service E (45 min)

SUNDAY 2 JUNE
9.30am: Service F (15 min)
10.23am: SS11 – Pissia 1 (11.47km)
10.42am: SS12 – Loutraki 1 (30.14km)
12.29pm: Service G (30 min)
1.37pm: SS13 – Pissia 2 (11.47km)
1.56pm: SS14 – Power Stage Loutraki 2 (30.14km)
2.46pm: Service I (10 min)
3.30pm: Podium (Service Park)
4.15pm: FIA Post-Event Press Conference (Media Centre)