The special stages of the Acropolis Rally are regarded as the most difficult in the world even in dry conditions. The rain which fell right before the start made it even more challenging for the crews fighting in Greek FIA ERC counter. It turned the gravel roads around Loutraki into completely unpredictable stages full of mud and water. The LOTOS Rally Team crew consistently stuck to their plan despite extreme conditions, with the grip levels changing every meter and the visibility fading in the dusk. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Jarek Baran maintained fast and consistent pace, avoiding mistakes. Their performance was confirmed by comfortable stage win on the opening test and by second place held overnight in the Acropolis Rally standings. On top of that Kajto and Jarek lead their rivals in the FIA ERC title fight – Craig Breen and Scott Martin, factory Peugeot crew. Only the local duo – Lambros Athanassoulas and Nikolaos Zakheos in Skoda Fabia R5 – are in front of the LOTOS Rally Team crew.

The second leg of the Acropolis Rally, run on Sunday, consist of seven special stages with total length of almost 135 kilometres. The morning loop is particularly challenging, with almost 80 competitive kilometres without any service break. The finish ceremony takes place at 16:40 CET. 

Kajetan Kajetanowicz: – It was a very long day for us. We started with practice runs, followed by the Qualifying Stage, ceremonial start at the Acropolis in Athens and two very difficult special stages, including one contested in darkness. Previously I competed in such conditions in 2013 – in the Rally Poland. This one is similar and in some places it is even more slippery. It was an extremely muddy experience but rallies can be like that. We are here and I am happy. I think that the second place puts us in a good position for tomorrow.

1. Lambros Athanassoulas (Greece) 38:12.9 s

3. Craig Breen (Ireland) +14.7 s

4. Alexey Lukyanuk (Russia) +32.3 s

5. Jaromir Tarabus +1:16.0 s

6. Raul Jeets (Estonia) +1:20.3 s

7. David Botka (Hungary) +1:42,4 s

8. Dominykas Butvilas (Lithuania) +2:33.4 s

9. Petros Pantelli (Cyprus) +4:12.5 s

10. Antonin Tlustak (Czech Republic) +4:18.0 s

Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Jarek Baran are supported by strategic partner of LOTOS Rally Team - LOTOS Group - as well as CUBE.ITG and Driving Experience. More info about Kajetan Kajetanowicz and the team available at: www.lotosrallyteam.pl, www.kajto.pl, www.facebook.com/EmocjeDoPelna, www.facebook.com/KajetanKajetanowicz and www.twitter.com/Kajto_pl.