History 2000s

2003 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2003 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Date: June 6–8, 2003

Start Location: Lamia, Greece

Finish Location: Lamia, Greece

Total Distance: ~1,100 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 379.03 km

Surface: Gravel

The 2003 Acropolis Rally lived up to its unforgiving reputation with brutal rock-strewn roads, soaring temperatures, and frequent retirements. Petter Solberg survived the carnage with a composed and controlled drive, bringing home a key win for Subaru on one of the WRC’s toughest events.

Route

Bauxites: Fast, flowing, and brutally rocky — a major test of tire durability and suspension strength.
Elatia: Long, technical, and shaded by pine forest — required delicate throttle work and confidence in pacenotes.
Grammeni: A mix of fast straights and tight corners with varying grip — often used to separate the contenders from the survivors.

Based in Lamia, the rally featured a range of mountainous stages with punishing surfaces and little margin for error. Notable stages included:

Dust and heat added to the challenge, while sharp rocks and rutted corners led to a high attrition rate throughout the field.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Marc Martí · Citroën Xsara WRC
3rd Place
Markko Märtin & Michael Park · Ford Focus RS WRC

Solberg maintained a steady pace and avoided the mechanical issues that plagued many top runners. Sainz used his experience to claim second, while Märtin impressed once again with consistency and speed in the rugged terrain.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Rock Hazards: Punctures and suspension failures were common — line choice and tire protection were critical.
  • Heat & Dust: Cabin temperatures soared, and visibility was reduced in second passes — driver stamina was tested to the limit.
  • Pacing Strategy: Solberg's win came from consistency — he avoided chasing stage wins and focused on staying out of trouble.

Petter Solberg’s Acropolis triumph was a statement of strength and endurance, and a sign that the Norwegian was evolving into a true title contender in 2003.

← Previous Event 2003 YPF Rally Argentina (Argentina)
Back to Events Index
2003 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.