History 2000s

2000 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2000 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Date: June 9–11, 2000

Start Location: Athens, Greece

Finish Location: Athens, Greece

Total Distance: ~1,200 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 390.27 km

Surface: Gravel

The Acropolis Rally lived up to its legendary reputation in 2000, delivering scorching temperatures, rocky mountain roads, and relentless punishment to drivers and machinery. Colin McRae thrived in the chaos, pushing his Ford Focus WRC through the dust and destruction to take a hard-fought and well-earned victory — his second of the season and one of the grittiest wins of his career.

Route

Bauxites: Rough and abrasive with long climbs and descents — frequently caused overheating and tire failures.
Thiva: Narrow, technical, and filled with sharp rocks — required perfect line discipline to avoid punctures.
Kallithea: Faster but loose-surfaced, with deceptive corners and sudden grip changes.

Set in the mountains of central Greece, the Acropolis featured relentless gravel, high heat, and steep ascents. Key stages included:

Dust and heat were constant adversaries — crews frequently dealt with visibility issues and cockpit temperatures exceeding 50°C.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Ford Focus WRC
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Focus WRC
3rd Place
Richard Burns & Robert Reid · Subaru Impreza S5 WRC

McRae and Sainz delivered a commanding 1–2 finish for Ford. Burns mounted a recovery after early issues to claim third, but the day belonged to McRae and his resilience over some of the most punishing stages in the world.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Both cars and crews endured desert-like cabin temperatures — hydration and cooling strategy were critical.
  • Rock Damage: Frequent punctures and broken suspension components plagued the field — smart pace management was key.
  • Driver Fatigue: The slow, brutal nature of stages made mental errors likely — McRae’s concentration and experience made the difference.

The 2000 Acropolis Rally was a true war of attrition — and Colin McRae emerged as the undisputed warrior, proving once again that courage and grit are sometimes the greatest tools in a rally driver’s arsenal.

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