Acropolis – Lamia and the service park hit by a violent storm

Clearly, nothing was spared for the competitors and their teams during the 2^e stage of rally of the Acropolis. With over 650 km to cover without assistance, it was feared by the crews, the first of whom had left the service park early in the morning. Late in the evening, after having competed in the astonishing superspecials laid out on both a service station area and a stretch of motorway, the cars headed for the parc fermé set up in Lamia 170 km to the north.

The approach to this city was spectacular with a sky streaked with lightning. At times, they were so numerous and so impressive that it was possible to see as if it were broad daylight. The first warning messages began to appear on the roadside signs, on mobile phones and on the radio, recalling the very bad memory of last year when Greece had already been hit by storms and floods. The rally had been affected with very complicated reconnaissances and the cancellation of the shakedown. The last 30 kilometers to reach the city were Homeric with torrential rain and a highway transformed into a river in places.

Wind and rain cause damage to Lamia service park

When they finally arrived in Lamia, the competitors were able to see the damage. The service park was hit by a short but very violent storm. Several branches and even a tree fell. Most of the tents of the commissaires who manage the smooth running of the event were overturned and swept away. The building that houses most of the organs allowing the event to take place (college of commissaires, office of Compact Dynamics, the medical unit, etc.), but also the press room and the promoter's facilities took on water. Rooms were flooded with the violence of the rain and it was necessary to improvise a work space in a drier place.

In order for the 2nd stage to go to its conclusion, the officials had to organize themselves to stay dry (Photo: Loïc Rocci)

As what seemed like a whim of the gods came to an end, the cars managed one by one to reach the parc fermé and the already very tired crews had trouble believing their eyes. At the same time, all the people in the organization were already working to ensure that the rally could start again this morning. However, we will have to assess the damage to the parc, but also to the special stages that remain to be covered.

Will they be passable? In what condition will the competitors face them? A little over 54 km of timed tests are to be contested with the SS13 Inohori and two passages in the Eleftherohori section which will serve as a Power Stage for the 2^e tower. All the pilots were dreading this sector after the reconnaissance. When will it be after the storm?