Sami Pajari Clinches WRC2 Victory at Acropolis Rally Greece in Dramatic Finish

In a thrilling conclusion to the WRC2 category of the 2024 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen secured a remarkable victory by the narrowest of margins. Pajari and fellow competitor Robert Virves, alongside co-driver Aleks Lesk, finished the grueling 305.3-kilometer rally with identical times of 3:45:05.3. However, Pajari claimed the top spot due to winning the rally’s first stage, giving him the edge in a tie-breaking decision.

The tense finish added to the excitement of an already intense weekend, with Pajari’s triumph closing the gap between him and WRC2 championship leader Oliver Solberg. Pajari now sits just 3 points behind Solberg, with 108 points to Solberg’s 111. Yohan Rossel remains third in the standings with 86 points, but the battle for the top is intensifying as the season progresses.

Pajari’s impressive performance throughout the rally, including his critical first-stage victory, ultimately sealed the win. Despite Virves and Lesk matching Pajari’s total time after several days of tough competition, the first-stage advantage proved decisive.

The WRC2 championship now heads into its closing stages with the battle for the title closer than ever. Solberg, who did not participate in Rally Greece, still holds the championship lead but will face fierce competition from Pajari in the remaining rounds. Pajari’s victory has added extra pressure to Solberg, with only three points separating the two drivers at the top of the standings.

The Acropolis Rally, famed for its rugged and punishing terrain, once again lived up to its reputation, testing drivers’ endurance and skill across its demanding stages. In the WRC2 category, the field was especially competitive, with Pajari and Virves locked in a battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

With Pajari’s win, the WRC2 title race has been blown wide open, setting the stage for a thrilling end to the 2024 season. All eyes now turn to the next round, where Solberg, Pajari, and Rossel will continue their pursuit of WRC2 glory.