History 2000s

2006 BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2006 BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece (Greece)

Date: June 1–4, 2006

Start Location: Athens, Greece

Finish Location: Athens, Greece

Total Distance: ~1,515.00 km

Competitive Stages: 355.00 km

Surface: Gravel (rocky, rough, and rutted)

The Acropolis Rally has a reputation for destroying cars, and the 2006 edition was no exception. Marcus Grönholm used his experience and mechanical sympathy to outlast the field, claiming a vital victory for Ford in the scorching Greek heat.

Route

Elatia: Long and dusty, with deep ruts that worsened on second passes.
Bauxites: Rocky climbs and descents where puncture avoidance was more important than outright speed.
Ghymno: Narrow mountain roads with little room for error, lined with loose stones ready to rip tires apart.

Stages were a brutal mix of jagged rocks, abrasive surfaces, and searing temperatures. Notable stages included:

Crews had to carefully balance aggression with mechanical preservation, as suspension failures and tire blowouts were common.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06
2nd Place
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC2006
3rd Place
Mikko Hirvonen & Jarmo Lehtinen · Ford Focus RS WRC 06

Grönholm built his lead steadily, avoiding major risks while others suffered punctures and suspension damage. Solberg’s pace was strong but not enough to challenge for the win, while Hirvonen secured a podium with a clean, consistent drive.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Heat Management: Extreme cockpit temperatures tested driver endurance and concentration.
  • Puncture Avoidance: Sharp rocks shredded tires if lines were even slightly off.
  • Suspension Durability: Hard landings and deep ruts punished cars without robust setups.

Grönholm’s calculated approach earned him one of the most coveted wins on the WRC calendar, keeping his championship hopes alive.

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