In the scorching heat and rugged landscape of Greece, Tibor Érdi Jr. embarked on a journey to secure the prestigious 2024 FIA European Historic Rally Championship (EHRC) title at the Historic Acropolis Rally. The Hungarian driver, known for his measured and tactical approach, entered the season finale with a clear plan: drive smart, push when necessary, and avoid unnecessary risks on the treacherous Greek gravel roads.
Day One: Strategy and determination
On the first leg of the rally, Érdi Jr. took to the road as the opening car, a position that offered both advantages and challenges. Leading the charge came with increased visibility on the winding, loose gravel roads, but also meant he faced a particularly slippery surface. “The first position [on the road] made it difficult,” he shared, aware of the fine line between speed and caution in these demanding conditions. “We search for the good speed—not too much, not too slow. We drive safely push and it was okay.” For Érdi Jr., balancing the throttle on Greece’s notorious gravel was crucial; his eyes were set on the championship title, not just the rally win.
By the time six of the eleven rally stages were complete, Érdi Jr. had managed to carve out a 14.9-second lead in the FIA EHRC standings. Hot on his heels was Richard Jordan, a British driver making his EHRC debut in a Category 3 Ford Escort RS2000. Jordan was quick to adapt to the rough terrain and challenging pace, proving to be a formidable opponent. Running into a few minor issues, he noted a particularly tricky moment in the second stage. “There’s a lot of loose gravel, and you’re trying to find some traction where there’s none,” he said, recounting a near-miss overshoot in fourth gear. Despite his limited experience on Greek gravel, Jordan pushed forward with intensity and precision.
Meanwhile, seasoned French driver Christophe Jacob settled into third, his Ford Escort RS navigating the Greek dust and stones with care. “There was a smell of petrol in the car on the first stage,” Jacob revealed. Attempting to improve ventilation, he opened a window only to be engulfed by dust, an experience he described as “unbearable.” Yet, despite this miscalculation, Jacob’s skillful maneuvering kept him within reach of the leaders. Ernie Graham, Érdi Jr.’s main rival in Category 4, was also in the mix, focused and calculating. “We’re on about the right pace,” he admitted, “but Christophe took a lot of time off us on [SS4] because we were sleeping a wee bit.” Graham, a veteran with years of experience, knew that staying steady would be key to his hopes for a strong finish in the championship standings.
Further down the leaderboard, other competitors were facing their own challenges and victories. James Potter, making his debut in a Category 4-specification Ford Escort and relying on borrowed pace notes, was thoroughly enjoying his first Acropolis experience. “Every stage and every corner is new, but I’m enjoying it,” Potter remarked with enthusiasm, marveling at the thrill of each twist and turn. Alexandros Christodoulou, piloting a Lancia 037, found himself in sixth among EHRC contenders, while Siegfried Mayr’s Volvo 240 held seventh despite a dramatic run through a ditch. The Acropolis lived up to its reputation for taking drivers out of their comfort zones, and only those with a blend of courage and strategy could hope to stay in contention.
Day Two: The pursuit of glory and unforeseen drama
Day Two dawned with everything to play for. Érdi Jr. was on the brink of a historic title, but Jordan was equally determined to make his mark. Their competition unfolded with each stage as Jordan clawed his way back, erasing Érdi Jr.’s overnight lead by the first stage. It was a battle of nerve and precision, with Érdi Jr. responding on the next stage by regaining a slim lead of 4.8 seconds.
However, the Acropolis Rally’s tough terrain had more surprises in store. On the penultimate stage, Érdi Jr. faced a significant setback when his Ford Sierra Cosworth 4×4 suffered a broken front-left driveshaft. The mechanical issue forced him to slow down, and Jordan seized the moment, charging ahead and creating an impressive 32.5-second lead.
While the British newcomer clinched his first-ever Historic Acropolis Rally victory, Érdi Jr. held on to his position in the standings, crossing the finish line to clinch the FIA EHRC title. As he stepped onto the podium, he reflected on the journey that had brought him here. “Okay, we finish second on the rally, but the championship—we win,” he said, radiating pride. “Thanks to the team, they worked very hard all year, thanks to my family and to everyone who did their best.” Érdi Jr. had achieved a season-long dream, marked by ups and downs, including challenging outings at Vltava and Finland.
Jordan’s debut win was nothing short of a spectacular achievement. “We just had a clean run to be honest,” Jordan shared, acknowledging the Acropolis Rally’s infamously rough final stage. “The first stage in the loop is so hard to judge if you’re going fast or not because there’s no grip… Then the last stage, having the lead and trying to look after that when it’s so rough was horrible.” It was a grueling test of endurance, but Jordan emerged victorious with a margin of 1 minute and 2 seconds over Érdi Jr.
In the battle for the remaining spots, Graham’s consistent performance secured him second in the EHRC standings, marking another high point in his storied career. He praised Érdi Jr., saying, “Fair play to him because he was a lot quicker; we were never going to beat him in a straight fight. But I’m delighted we were able to finish runner-up.” Graham’s daughter and co-driver, Anna, shared in the achievement, making it a family affair.
The supporting cast: Stories of resilience
James Potter and the Flexifly Rally Team entry finished just behind Graham after overcoming clutch issues and the demanding Greek gravel. Potter’s rally debut was challenging but memorable, with his drive marked by resilience and determination.
Alexandros Christodoulou and his Lancia 037 rounded out the top five, his experience evident in his steady performance on home turf. Christophe Jacob, while suffering setbacks including a rear-axle repair and a slow puncture, held on to secure enough points to finish second in the Category 3 standings.
Despite two punctures, Siegfried Mayr reached the finish in his Volvo 244, co-driven by his wife Renate, symbolizing the grit required to conquer the Acropolis. For some, like Maciej Lubiak, the rally was a test that proved too difficult—after driveshaft failure on SS1 and later issues with a bottom arm, his Porsche was sidelined before the rally’s end.
Legacy of the Historic Acropolis Rally 2024
The 2024 Historic Acropolis Rally delivered all the drama, intensity, and passion that define the FIA EHRC. From Érdi Jr.’s tactical mastery to Jordan’s breakout win and Graham’s seasoned consistency, each driver brought their unique strengths to the rugged Greek stages. This year’s event reminded fans and competitors alike why the Acropolis holds such a revered place in rally history—a brutal test of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower.
Érdi Jr. now stands as a champion, his name etched into the annals of the EHRC. For the Hungarian driver, the road to victory was winding and filled with obstacles, but his perseverance carried him through. The dust of Greece may have settled, but the memories of this year’s Acropolis Rally will resonate for years to come, a testament to the resilience of both drivers and machines in one of rallying’s most iconic settings.
Final Result
01: R. Jordan/S. Collis (Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII) – 2h 10m 17.6s
02: T. Erdi Jr/I. Kerek (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4) + 1m 02.0s
03: M. Stafilopatis/G. Chatzirigas (Lancia Delta Integrale) + 5m 18.3s
04: E. Graham/A. Graham (Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII) + 6m 09.6s
05: J. Potter/K. Graham (Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII) + 7m 26.8s
06: A. Christodoulou/A. Samaras (Lancia 037 Rally) + 7m 49.8s
07: G. Paradissis/P. Stergiou (Ford Escort RS 1600 MKI) + 9m 55.1s
08: K. Milonas/N. Paraperas (Toyota Celica TA22) + 11m 34.6s
09: K. Papadimitriou/M. Sigalas (Toyota Starlet EP71 Turbo) + 12m 04.9s
10: A. Halivelakis/A. Papageorgiou (Ford Escort RS 2000 MKII) + 12m 20.2s
