History 1980s

1989 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Date: May 29 – June 1, 1989

Start Location: Athens, Greece

Finish Location: Athens, Greece

Total Distance: 606 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1989 Acropolis Rally once again delivered a brutal test of endurance, with high temperatures, sharp rocks, and relentless gravel destroying cars and concentration. Miki Biasion, already in control of the championship standings, kept calm and composed to outlast the field and bring his Lancia Delta Integrale home in first place. It was another masterful performance in one of the most mechanically punishing rallies on the WRC calendar.

Route

Mount Parnassus: Rocky high-speed sections pushed suspension durability to the limit.
Kalambaka: Narrow hill climbs and descents with treacherous surfaces and minimal margin for error.
Lamia: Fast-flowing and hot—drivers had to manage both engine temps and tire degradation over long stages.

The Greek countryside offered everything from mountainous ascents to rough plateaus—all under the scorching summer sun:

Breakdowns and retirements were frequent, and only the most robust cars and patient drivers could survive the full rally distance intact.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Miki Biasion & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Delta Integrale
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four
3rd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Mazda 323 4WD

Biasion’s consistency and Lancia’s reliability were once again the winning formula—fending off rising stars like Sainz while maintaining the championship lead.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Heat and Fatigue: Drivers battled interior temperatures above 50°C—hydration and mental clarity were crucial.
  • Car Preservation: Overdriving led to broken differentials, punctures, and overheating—Biasion stayed clean and efficient.
  • Dust and Vision: Thick dust clouds made following difficult—starting positions and clean air played a key strategic role.

The 1989 Acropolis Rally once again proved that experience and endurance outweigh pure speed—Biasion’s win was a measured, intelligent strike in one of the WRC’s most grueling environments.

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