*This content was translated by AI.
The '2026 World Rally Championship (WRC)', a motorsport event organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), will hold its 8th round, the 'EKO Acropolis Rally Greece', from June 25 to 28 local time over four days. Known by the nickname 'Rally of the Gods', this event is considered the most grueling stage of the WRC season due to its rugged, rocky unpaved mountain terrain and high temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius.
Notably, this year's rally marks a new turning point by shifting its base from Lamia in central Greece to the resort city of Loutraki on the coast of the Corinthian Gulf. The entire course is meticulously structured around the Loutraki Service Park, spanning approximately 323 kilometers across 17 Special Stages (SS) that traverse steep mountainous areas, set to test the limits of the drivers.
The success or failure of this rally hinges on how drivers respond to sudden changes in road conditions. Since each stage is run twice, drivers must maintain stable handling on gravel-heavy surfaces during the first run, while the second run requires navigating through sharp rocks exposed and deep ruts carved by preceding vehicles, placing extreme strain on both the vehicles and tires.
In the previous 7th round, the 'Japan Rally', Elfyn Evans of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team secured the victory, firmly holding the lead in the Drivers' Championship. Following him, his teammate Takamoto Katsuta and Oliver Solberg are in close pursuit, making the fierce competition among Toyota drivers for the top spot a key highlight expected to unfold at this Greek event as well.
To enable drivers to perform at their peak under such extreme driving conditions, Korean tire manufacturer Hankook, the exclusive tire supplier, will deploy its all-terrain rally tire, 'Dynapro R213'. Designed to enhance durability and grip for rough unpaved roads and high-load environments, the tire will offer two compounds—hard and soft—with improved performance for this event, supporting teams' strategic operations based on weather and road conditions.
The official partner of the event is Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. Since the 2025 season, it has exclusively supplied racing tires across all WRC classes, reflecting data accumulated on the motorsport stage into its research and development.
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*This content was translated by AI.
