The 2025 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece delivered exactly what it promised: punishing stages, searing temperatures, and a brutal test of endurance for the FIA Rally Star crews. Rising to the challenge, Taylor Gill and co-driver Daniel Brkic continued their remarkable run of form by securing second place in the Junior WRC category, narrowly missing out on a third consecutive win but moving into the outright championship lead with two rounds remaining.

For Max Smart and co-driver Malcolm Read, the rally was a story of resilience. Smart had climbed as high as fourth before an unseen rock forced an early retirement on Saturday. Rejoining the field on Sunday, the South African driver pushed through the heat to salvage seventh place and gain vital experience heading into the final stretch of the season.

Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic Extend Their Run of Podiums in Gruelling Greek Conditions

Taylor Gill and co-driver Daniel Brkic continued their impressive form in the FIA Junior WRC, securing a hard-earned second place at the punishing Acropolis Rally Greece. Entering the weekend with growing confidence, buoyed by his preference for gravel and previous experience on rough Australian stages, Gill was optimistic about another strong result. But as the rally unfolded, he quickly discovered that nothing could truly compare to the unforgiving terrain of the “Rally of Gods.”

“Nothing in Australia is rough compared to this,” Gill admitted. “Even people from back home who’ve done some of our toughest gravel events can’t believe how extreme Greece is. It’s just on another level.”

Despite the scorching temperatures and relentless rocky roads, Gill and Brkic kept their cool. The duo delivered another measured and mature performance, expertly balancing tyre management with consistent pace across all 17 stages. Their composure paid off, finishing second overall behind Turkish crew Ali Türkkan and Oytun Albayrak.

The result sees Gill take the outright lead in the Junior WRC standings with 78 points, seven clear of Swedish rival Mille Johansson, who was forced to retire with a coolant issue on Saturday before rejoining to finish sixth.

“This rally is always a massive test, and this year was no different,” said Gill. “We had to deal with overheating, some punctures, and heavy tyre wear, but we kept calm and pieced everything together. The mindset was better this year, we stayed patient, avoided risks, and made sure to bring the car home clean.”

Gill’s Acropolis result continues an outstanding run in 2025, with two wins and a second-place finish from the opening three rounds. With one dropped score still in hand, the Australian heads into Secto Rally Finland with both momentum and the freedom to push for maximum points.

Smart Shows Pace Before Retirement Setback

Max Smart started the Acropolis with confidence and maturity, executing a careful strategy aimed at tyre management and car preservation. Climbing to fourth early on and battling for third, Smart looked set for a breakthrough result before a hidden rock on Saturday afternoon broke his front suspension, forcing an early end to his podium charge.

“It honestly felt like everything was working,” said Smart. “We came in with a clear strategy, were managing things well, and had great pace. But that hidden rock just caught me out. I was gutted. It was one of those things you couldn’t see but definitely felt. It was a huge opportunity missed.”

Rejoining on Sunday, Smart battled overheating issues and rising cockpit temperatures to eventually finish seventh. Despite the setback, the South African remains optimistic about his development and is determined to come back stronger in Finland.

“My driving’s come a long way. I’ve matured a lot, and the partnership with Malcolm is really working. These kinds of rallies teach you the hard lessons, but they also motivate you to push harder. We’ll take that into Finland.”

FIA Rally Star Project Leader Jérôme Roussel praised both crews after another demanding weekend in the Junior WRC, adding: “The naturally tough and rocky stages of the Acropolis, combined with its move to June, meant tyre management and car preservation were everything. Taylor handled this incredibly well. He still had a few punctures but so did nearly everyone. Finishing second is a fantastic result and, with the drop-score format, he now leads the championship with less pressure heading into Finland, where he can focus purely on pace.

“Max had a difficult rally. He showed impressive pace early on but made two small mistakes which ultimately cost him dearly. But ultimately, these are learning moments. I’d also like to congratulate Ali Türkkan and Oytun Albayrak, they were outstanding across all conditions and absolutely deserved the win.”

The FIA Rally Star crews now prepare for the penultimate round of the 2025 Junior WRC season: Secto Rally Finland, from 31 July to 3 August. Known for its high-speed gravel stages, blind crests, and iconic jumps, Finland is a pure driver’s rally, and another key test as the title fight intensifies.