The 2025 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece marks the halfway point of the FIA Junior WRC season and the second gravel event of the year for FIA Rally Star drivers Taylor Gill and Max Smart. A legendary fixture on the WRC calendar since 1973, the Acropolis Rally features 17 stages and over 345 kilometres of rugged action.

Often dubbed the toughest test outside Safari Rally Kenya, the Acropolis continues the trend of rough gravel endurance events set by Rally Portugal. With rocky roads, twisting mountain passes and searing temperatures approaching 40°C, crews must balance raw pace with mechanical sympathy. Survival is often the key to success in Greece, and those who finish cleanly are typically well rewarded.

Both Gill and Smart return to the event armed with valuable experience from their 2024 campaigns. Lessons learned in last year's Acropolis, and at the recent Rally de Portugal, will be crucial in tackling one of the most unforgiving rallies on the calendar.

Gill Aiming for Hat-Trick in Greece
Following back-to-back victories in Sweden and Portugal, Australian driver Taylor Gill, alongside co-driver Daniel Brkic, arrive in Greece full of confidence. With championship rival Mille Johansson tied on points at the top of the standings, every second on the Greek gravel could prove decisive. Asked if he was chasing a third win, Gill gave a characteristically confident reply: “Yeah, I mean we don’t go there fighting for second place - so yes, that’s the goal, absolutely.” 

However, the young Aussie remains realistic about the rally’s unpredictable nature: “Portugal gave us a real confidence boost, but Greece wasn’t so kind to us last year. There’s so much that can go wrong here - it’s a much rougher event and you’re constantly managing risk. We do have the benefit of a drop score, so that gives us the freedom to push a little more than some crews, but obviously, you can’t win a rally if you’re on the side of the road.”

Preparation has been key for Gill and Brkic, who have been working closely with their M-Sport team, studying onboard footage and refining last year’s pace notes. With Johansson tackling the Acropolis for the first time, Gill’s experience could be a vital advantage in his pursuit of a third win and the Junior WRC title.

Smart Looks to Capitalise on Momentum
After a strong outing in Portugal and the successful debut of his new co-driver Malcolm Read, Max Smart is heading to Greece with renewed confidence and optimism. “Last year was a tough one, but coming into 2025 we know what to expect, and more importantly, what to look out for,” said Smart.

Gravel is familiar territory for the young South African, who credits his motocross and mountain biking background for his comfort on loose surfaces: “Gravel is my favourite. It’s what I grew up on and where I feel most in sync.”

With only remote service available on Friday, the Acropolis will demand careful car management. Smart is taking a calculated approach, explaining: “If you can look after yourself and the car while maintaining competitive pace, you’ll be right up there. That’s exactly what Malcolm and I plan to do.” With his drop score already behind him, Smart knows that consistency and speed are now essential for his championship hopes.

 In preparation, he’s been focusing on physical training and detailed analysis of his 2024 performance, including identifying where punctures occurred. Combined with simulator work alongside his M-Sport team, Smart is confident he and Read have the tools to fight at the front.

FIA Rally Star Project Leader Jérôme Roussel said: “Greece is one of the most demanding events on the calendar, but it’s also an invaluable opportunity for our FIA Rally Star drivers to put their growing experience to work. Both Taylor and Max competed here last year, and that knowledge will be a key asset as they tackle this challenge for a second time.

Taylor arrives with strong momentum and increasing confidence, while Max continues to make big strides with Malcolm alongside him. This rally will test their focus, discipline and endurance, and that’s exactly what this stage of their development is about.”

Taylor Gill commented: “After another win in Portugal, we’re heading into Rally Greece with renewed confidence. It’s one of the toughest events of the year - incredibly rough, physically demanding, and full of unknowns - but we’ve prepared well and know what it takes to get through it. The goal is to stay focused, stay in the fight, and keep pushing for another strong result.”

Max Smart added: “Portugal was a great start for me and Malcolm, and we’ve taken a lot of confidence from that into Greece. It’s one of the toughest events on the calendar. It’s a real survival rally, but we’ve done our homework. We know where to be smart, how to manage the car, and when to push. We’re here to deliver a clean, competitive drive and keep ourselves right in the title fight.”

To know more about the FIA Rally Star programme, visit https://www.fia.com/fia-rally-star and follow @FIARallyStar on social media