History 1980s

1980 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1980 Acropolis Rally

Date: May 26–29, 1980

Host Country: Greece

Surface: Gravel / Asphalt

Total Distance: 956.16 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 87 crews

Total Finishers: 21 crews

Renowned for its punishing rocky tracks and scorching Mediterranean climate, the Acropolis Rally was one of the toughest tests in the WRC. The 1980 edition pushed both man and machine to the limit across Greece’s mountainous terrain. Ari Vatanen and co-driver David Richards, piloting a Ford Escort RS1800 MkII, drove a fast but measured rally to take their first WRC win—combining pace with mechanical sympathy on terrain where finishing is often more difficult than winning.

Route

Parnassos & Lamia Regions: Rugged mountain trails with loose rocks, dust, and elevation swings.
Delphi & Livadeia Loops: Technical twisty gravel with frequent tire-shredding hazards.
Corinth & Loutraki Tarmac: Asphalt transition zones where brakes and tires were pushed hard before returning to rocky terrain.

Starting and finishing in Athens, the rally wound through mountain passes and barren plains across Attica, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese.

Temperatures consistently topped 35°C, amplifying stress on cooling systems, tires, and driver stamina across long daylight stages.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800 MkII
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Björn Waldegård & Hans Thorszelius · Mercedes-Benz 500 SLC

Vatanen’s victory was hard-fought, earned through tire preservation and quick repairs. His dynamic pace combined with Richards’ faultless navigation to edge out Mikkola and survive what became a race of attrition.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rock Hazards: Tire blowouts and suspension failures were rampant—smart pacing and cautious lines were vital.
  • Heat & Dust: Air filters clogged quickly, and cockpit temps required hydration planning for crews.
  • Remote Stages: Limited service access meant crews had to handle emergency repairs mid-stage.

The 1980 Acropolis Rally marked a turning point for Ari Vatanen—his first WRC victory came not from raw speed alone, but from strategic brilliance and resilience in one of the calendar’s most brutal rallies.

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