News & Articles Historic Acropolis Regularity Rally 2024 – Leg 1: Austrian Lead!
The Hekerle-Schneider duo took the lead from the first trial and maintained it through the five precision stages of the first leg. In second place is the 2021 rally winner and well-known regularity competitor Christian Crucifix, partnered with Jennifer Hugo in a 1985 Peugeot 205. The Belgian team is expected to challenge hard in Saturday’s leg, with a narrow margin separating them from the leaders. In third place, driving a 1990 Volkswagen Golf, are Kyriakos and Nikolaos Kofinas, tied with Dimitris Kalogeras and Christos Diamantopoulos, who are piloting a 1982 Renault 5 Alpine Turbo. The race is anticipated to bring intense competition for the top spot.
In fifth position upon reaching Ancient Olympia were Vasos Theodosiou and Konstantinos Piperos in a 1974 Lancia Beta Coupe, followed by Giorgos Georgakopoulos and Tasos Douros in a 1968 Morris Mini. Sixth place goes to Georgi and Yordanka Andonov from Bulgaria, who, despite a strong start, slipped back a few places in their Volvo 244 GLE. 2014 race winners Ioannis Katsaounis and Mathios Mansolas are seventh in their 1979 Volkswagen Golf I, trailed by Iakovos Melanitis and Andreas Pitarakis in a newer Ford Escort RS2000 MKV (1994). The top ten is rounded out by the 2022 Greek Regularity Champions Christos Hatzikonstantinou and Manolis Dimakareas in a 1985 Volkswagen Golf I, followed closely by Turkish Champions Selim and Hamdan Bacioglu in a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 230/4, returning to Greece for a second consecutive year.
Last year’s titleholders, Kyriakos Farmakis and Maria Athanasopoulou, currently sit in twelfth place with their 1964 Volvo 122 S and are expected to make a comeback on Saturday. They are followed by Aris Papakonstantinou and Nikolaos Poulieris (Renault 19/1990), Artur Moscicki and Monika Bubla (BMW 1600-2/1967), and Dragos Mircea Busca and Ioan Catalin Popescu (Porsche 944 Turbo/1985).
The second leg of the rally includes ten precision trials. The teams will depart from Ancient Olympia at 9:00 a.m., heading toward Lalas and crossing the impressive Rio-Antirrio Bridge. They will then pass through Messolonghi and Aetoliko, reaching Nafpaktos for a regrouping stop. The route continues through Teichio, Stilia Fokidas, Milia, and includes a nighttime section through Agia Efthymia before the teams stay overnight in Itea.
For more information on the Historic Acropolis Rally, visit the official website (https://historicacropolis.gr/category/regularity/) and the Electronic Notice Board (https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/ACRHIST24RE). You can also follow the latest updates on the event’s social media channels.
The event sponsor is SEAJETS, the world’s largest high-speed fleet operator, serving 50 ports and more than 400 routes from Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Crete, Thessaloniki, and Volos to the Cyclades and the Aegean. SEAJETS entered the passenger shipping sector in 2002 and continues to expand its fleet of modern high-speed vessels.
Also supporting the rally is NISSAN Chalkias, a member of the official NISSAN network for over 45 years, offering a fully organized used car division across all makes and categories.
Avis Car Rental is proud to support the rally! With a global presence and operations in Greece since 1960, Avis has a network of 60 locations nationwide, including all major airports, and a modern fleet of approximately 60,000 vehicles spanning automatic, city cars, SUVs, vans, and luxury cars, as well as green options (electric or hybrid). Avis provides reliable rental services for every need, from excursions to corporate events and official ceremonies.
Clevermedia.gr supports the Historic Acropolis Regularity Rally! Founded in 1996, Clevermedia specializes in electronic communication, print media, product promotion, and new technology, including archive digitization for both public and private sectors.
SP Tableware, founded in 1959 and known for its hand-engraved glassware, is also a sponsor. Their products, crafted with traditional engraving techniques, are available in select stores in Greece and abroad.
Superfast Ferries supports the rally by offering discounted tickets for participants traveling to Greece for the event.
The rally organizers are grateful for the valuable assistance from the Region of Attica, the Regional Units of Boeotia and Phocis, as well as the municipalities of Athens, Thebes, Livadeia, Delphi, Orchomenos, Aliartos, Nafpaktos, and Ancient Olympia.
Cosmote TV, the media sponsor, has consistently supported motorsport events in Greece over recent years.
Live Results: https://times.anube.es/rallies/classic/index/6847?port=auto
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