A very tough WRC2 at the Acropolis

The new hybrid regulations were to encourage the proliferation of Rally1s, but these hopes were quickly dashed by the cost of the cars. With the premier category still reduced to around ten cars, the Rally2s represent the lifeblood of most events. In the entry list of rally of the Acropolis (September 07-11), there are 35 competitors (out of 69 in total) competing in this competition. Leader of the standings with a 20-point lead, Andreas Mikkelsen will make his last appearance this year. The Norwegian will seek to ensure that his 7th trick allows him to create the largest possible margin with his rivals who will still be able to record one or more results. By building his schedule, the Viking wanted to create the opportunity to evolve with a Rally1 before the end of the season. As he said in Ypres: “I watch how events unfold in the different teams. They know I'm available. They have my number…”

At the Acropolis Yohan Rossel will look to record another good result (Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

En plus de l’Acropole, Yohan Rossel sera au départ du Catalunya. Le champion WRC3 2021 avait remporté sa catégorie l’an dernier avant d’être mis hors course pour une erreur de pièce. Le pilote PH-Sport visera un nouveau bon résultat pour conserver ses chances de titre. Pour la C3 Rally2, la concurrence s’annonce sévère avec un Teemu Suninen (Hyundai) qui ne joue plus rien et qui chassera sa première victoire en 2022, Nikolay Gryazin (Skoda) qui est toujours capable de surprendre ou Emil Lindholm (Skoda) qui a bien progressé cette année.

With his Skoda, will Emil Lindholm be the surprise at the end of the WRC2 championship? (Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

Absent in Greece, Kajetan Kajetanowicz will follow the progress of this 10th round with great interest. Currently 3rd in the championship, the Pole can theoretically still compete in 3 races. Mathematically, it is he who has the best chances of winning the title, but depending on the final result of the Acropolis the challenge will be more or less difficult

Will Kajetan Kajetanowicz, solo winner in Kenya, do it again in New Zealand and Japan? (Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI)

16 special stages and 303,30 km timed await WRC2 competitors from Wednesday September 8.

WRC2 championship standings ahead of the Acropolis Rally

																TOTAL
1.		Mikkelsen Andreas	26 [1.]	25 [1.]	-	R	R	-	28 [1.]	-	21 [2.]	-	-	-	-	100
2.		Rossel Yohan	11 [6.]	-	25 [1.]	25 [1.]	2 [11.]	-	-	-	17 [3.]	-	-	-	-	80
3.		Kajetanowicz Kajetan	-	-	18 [2.]	20 [2.]	-	28 [1.]	10 [5.]	-	-	-	-	-	-	76
4.		Emil Lindholm	-	3 [14.]	18 [3.]	-	-	-	16 [3.]	27 [1.]	-	-	-	-	-	64
5.		Chris Ingram	6 [7.]	-	10 [5.]	15 [3.]	13 [4.]	-	-	-	12 [4.]	-	-	-	-	56
6.		Gryazin Nikolay	15 [3.]	R	12 [4.]	-	25 [1.]	-	-	R	-	-	-	-	-	52
7.		Huttunen Jari	-	15 [3.]	[18.]	-	18 [3.]	-	12 [4.]	-	R	-	-	-	-	45
8.		Stéphane Lefebvre	R	-	10 [6.]	-	-	-	-	-	26 [1.]	-	-	-	-	36
9.		Johnston Sean	12 [4.]	-	[11.]	R	-	20 [2.]	1 [10.]	-	-	-	-	-	-	33
10.		Kaur Egon	-	12 [4.]	-	-	-	-	[12.]	18 [2.]	-	-	-	-	-	30