Indian rally sensation and proud Arjuna awardee, Gaurav Gill, is gearing up for his much-anticipated entry into the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC). This exceptional talent, sponsored by JK Tyre, is all set to conquer the formidable Acropolis Rally of Greece, a true test of skill and endurance, taking place from September 7th to 10th, 2023.
About the Rally of Gods
Known as the revered ‘Rally of Gods,’ this event promises four days of high-octane action covering a challenging 1,235 km, including 15 special stages spread over 307 km. This weekend, 72 teams from around the world will compete fiercely for their spot in this demanding competition.
Gaurav Gill will take on the WRC 2 category with his trusty Škoda Fabia R5, co-piloted by the skilled Florian Barral. With the support of the proficient pit crew from the Italian team Delta Rally, Gill aims to set new records for himself. Meanwhile, the showdown will be held between previous Acropolis victor and current WRC 2 championship leader Andreas Mikkelsen, and his title rivals Yohan Rossel and Sami Pajari.
About Skoda Fabia Rally 2
The Skoda Fabia R5 Rally 2 car boasts a 5-speed sequential manual gearbox that allows drivers to shift gears in the blink of an eye. With this impressive setup, the R5 can reach a blazing top speed of 200 km/h, ensuring swift and precise control on the rally stages.
With dominating various remarkable championships, Gaurav Gill is set to shine once again on the challenging terrain of the Rally Acropolis. Meanwhile, his previous performance was nothing short of spectacular. As he secured a remarkable sixth-place finish in a competitive 35-car WRC 2 field last year.
Gaurav Gill’s Last Year Wins and Kick-off in Athens
In the previous year, Gaurav Gill, renowned for his expertise on gravel terrain, displayed an exceptional performance, finishing just around 1 second per kilometre behind the WRC 2 leader, E. Lindholm. He also showcased his skills against seasoned competitors from the WRC’s top category, such as T. Neuville, achieving some of his finest performances. Despite facing low-visibility challenges in the past, Gaurav is fully prepared to embrace this year’s challenges head-on.
The action kicks off following the ceremonial flag-off in Athens on Thursday, as teams eagerly prepare to tackle the brand-new EKO Super Special Stage, sprawled across 1.48 kilometres in and around the city’s scenic waterfront. Here, the world’s top rally drivers will take centre stage one by one, proudly showcasing their impressive machines in front of an enthusiastic crowd of thousands of fans.
Official Statement
On his participation this season, Gill said, “I’m really looking forward to driving in the Rally Acropolis. The sweltering heat, the dust, the rocky mountain passes and the loose gravel all combine to make this one of the most punishing rallies on the calendar. This event is not for the faint-hearted but these conditions play to my strengths. I expect to be in my element this weekend and I’m going to give it everything to bring home a strong result.”