Round 9, Greece
European Rally Championship
After 6 years in the region of Southern Greece, the ELPA rally returned to Northern Greece, more specifically, to Halkidiki. In 2007, it was the only mixed surface event of the European Rally Championship.
The Turks Volkan Isik Kaan Ozsenler were the 2007 winners, in a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000.
The rally will be run on asphalt and gravel special stages, in the prefecture of Halkidiki, comprising evening special stages on Friday and two legs, on Saturday and Sunday. The HQ will be based at the Porto Carras Grand Resort, located on the western coast of Sithonia, the middle prong of the Halkidiki Peninsula.
In the 2008 event there will be no significant changes, compared to the last edition. The total distance of special stages (26-28 September), will be approximately 260 km.
How to reach the area of the event
From Italy, by ferry to Igoumenitsa and via Egnatia Motorway to Thessaloniki, Nea Moudania, Neos Marmaras, Porto Carras Resort. From the northern countries and Turkey by car to Thessaloniki. By plane: the closest airport is in Thessaloniki, the Makedonia International Airport, 113 km north-west from Porto Carras.
History and natural beauty of the region
From its first run, in 1976 and up to 2001, the rally took place in the Halkidiki Peninsula, in Northern Greece, on gravel roads. Since 2002 the rally moved to the south, in the Peloponese and was run on asphalt.
With a coastline stretching for 9 km and more than 25 private bays with friendly, blue waters, Porto Carras is the ideal location for enjoying the beauty of the scenery. The European Blue Flag award symbolises both cleanliness and the high level of services available. The climate along the coast is purely Mediterranean.
Halkidiki Rally (cancelled)
