Based:
Markopoulo (in 2007)

Surface:
Gravel

Stages:
21 (in 2007)

2007 winner:
Marcus Gronholm/Ford Focus RS WRC

Rally website:
www.acropolisrally.gr/en

The mix of rough, twisty mountain stages, blistering heat and choking dust makes the Acropolis Rally of Greece the toughest on the WRC calendar. Cars have to be built extra-sturdy to cope with the surprisingly fast, but rock-strewn stages, while drivers and co-drivers have to be at peak physical fitness to cope with the pounding terrain and temperatures in the cockpit that top 50 degrees C.

First run in 1953, the Greek event is one of the longest-standing in world rallying and after being based for a number of years near the historic city of Delphi, in 2007 the event returned to its spiritual home of Athens.

The twisty, boulder-filled stages place huge demands on engine and cockpit cooling, as natural airflow is limited by the slow cornering speeds. The suspension and underside of the car, however, take a huge pounding from the rocks hurled up by the car and tyre wear can be a big issue. You need brains to win here, as much as brawn.

  New for 2008

The service park, headquarters and Superspecial stage move to a new location - the military airport of Tatoi, 20 km north of Athens. The airport previously hosted a stage of the 1975 Acropolis. The Superspecial features an unusual format. Instead of running side-by-side cars set off just behind each other.

Click here for the rally itinerary