ATHENS, Greece — The World Rally Championship returned to Greece after an eight-year absence Thursday with a crowd-pleasing particular stage round Athens’ major Syntagma Sq..
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis launched the race on the foot of the Acropolis.
“We’re completely thrilled that the Acropolis Rally is again in Greece,” Mitsotakis mentioned. “There is a very huge proportion of the inhabitants that’s fascinated by motor sport. I do not suppose we may have supplied them a greater reward than the return of the Acropolis.”
Defending champion and standings chief Sebastien Ogier accomplished the circuit because the quickest driver of the day, watched by hundreds of followers as he screeched previous Greece’s parliament to clock 51.5 seconds.
Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera have been second and third.
“I like Greece. It is a good looking nation, even (had) some vacation right here many instances,” Ogier mentioned. “And I am actually completely happy to return again on the highway.”
The Acropolis Rally, the ninth on the 12-race circuit, ends Sunday.