The Tour du Péloponnèse was organized again this year with absolute success. A six-day race of classic cars with routes of 1,000 km and with entries from 14 countries, a tour of the Peloponnese – a showcase of Greece.
Scrutineering and day 1
Sunday 02 October and with the promise of a sunny week, the Administrative/Technical Control began. 67 vehicles showed up and the crews completed the whole process with the established Briefing.
Monday morning, and the crews set off on a free ride to Ancient Olympia for the starting ceremony. The Municipality of Ancient Olympia offered all the necessary arrangements as a co-organizer, in order for us to have an impressive start. The Arch was ready since the morning and a large number of visitors delayed their visit to the Archaeological site in order to admire the vehicles of the participants up close and chat with them.
Start at 11:01 with the first 2 Special Routes “White Houses” and “Tsouraki” before the lunch stop in Karytaina and the special farm “Papakia”. This was followed by the afternoon Special Routes “Elliniko” and “Elati”. The arrival in Vytina gave the opportunity to the mainly foreign crews to get to know a “living” mountainous Greek community and enjoy the traditional hospitality. In the results, lead for the Austrians Hekerle-Shneider with BMW 2002 Touring where they were equal in first place with the also Austrians Pintarich-Pintarich with Ford escort RS, while last year’s Greek winners Georgosopoulos-Papanikolaou with Hillman Imp (which despite the technical problems it seemed to endure).
Day 2
With 5 Special Routes, Tuesday, October 4, was perhaps the hardest day of the race. Start from Vytina with the characteristic dewiness of mountainous autumn Arcadia. The first Special Route “Libovisti” with changes and demanding navigation, while the second Special Route “Lykochia” followed immediately, leaving little room for rest. Regroup at the imposing Foresta in Media Mores for lunch overlooking the Arcadian mountains.
Restart with the 3rd Special Route of the day “Kaltezes” downhill and equally technical. The 4 Special Route “Skortsinos” was quite fast. The cultural club in Georgitsi touched everyone with the warm welcome and gifts it offered during our passage. Just before Sparta, the 5th and eponymous Special Route that also closed the day’s racing.
Several changes with the most important being the tremendous performance of the crew from Marinescu-Radulescu from Romania, who found themselves in first place in the classification while Georgosopoulos-Papanikolaou left behind Hekerle-Schneider in third place.
The very small differences in the score also show the “battles” that took place between the crews.
Day 3
Wednesday morning and the clouds above Mystras made the castle town look even more imposing with the weight of its centuries and history.
Start traditionally at 10:01 for the first vehicle with the Romanians Marinescou-Radulescu in the lead while the Greeks Georgosopoulos-Papanikolaou follow behind and third the Austrians Hekerle-Shneider
First Special Route, “Kaidas”, through…”floating” rocks and dug holes in the rock, uphill and with many turns. Next is the Special Route “Nedoussa” before the downhill course to Kalamata and then, the wild and unique beauty of the landscape of Mani. Stop at ELIES in Kardamili for lunch by the sea and restart with another Special Route, “Nikona” with 4 more time readings.
The end of the day finds competitors in Limeni enjoying dinner and drinks with the unique view soothing the soul.
In the results, the small mistake of Marinescou-Radulescu with the Opel Commodore at Special Route Nedousa sent them to 4th place, giving the opportunity to Georgosopoulos-Papanikolaus with Hillman Imp to be at the top despite the mechanical problems they faced, while the stable Hekerle-Shneider at the pace of an Austrian marathon they follow with the BMW 2002 touring waiting for the mistake. 3rd the always stable Arvanitis-Charalampakis with Austin Healey 100/4, while 5th is completed by Fessl-Walla with Fiat Abarth 131.
Tzoumerka – Enchanting Winter Holidays in one of the Largest Mountain Ranges in Greece
Day 4
With a lot of wind, Areopolis welcomed us at the starting point of the 4th day. 3 Special Routes for the morning, “Pyrrichos” “Kotronas” and “Plytra”. Georgosopoulos-Papanikolou, having overcome the mechanical problems, fought to stay at the top while the Austrians Hekerle-Schneider started their counterattack. Arvanitis-Charalampakis in third place, but only a breath away.
Midday regrouping in Plytra and lunch in Araxovoli before the restart. The difficult Special Route “Archangelos” was next which its demanding navigation burdened many crews with penalties. Impressive performance of the Austrian Mischka-Mischka who managed to “take” the day with just one penalty point.
The arrival at Monemvasia, with its iconic castle town, was another highlight, especially for the foreign crews.
At the end of the day, the crew of Georgosopoulos-Papanikolaou with the Hillman Imp managed to remain at the top, while Hekerle-Shneider, having proceeded with a full counterattack, follow with the BMW 2002 touring with the difference now noticeably decreasing. 3rd, consistently, Arvanitis-Charalampaki with Austin Healey 100/4.
Day 5
The 5th and last day began with a stormy wind and gray weather (which broke after the “fjord” of Ierakas). Maintenance at Special Route “Longarion” and technical clarifications, from the point of view of navigation, “Rechia”. The top three stable while following a stop at Cavo Cortia in Kyparissi after the epic descent from the ancient citadel of Zarakas. The “Fokiano” Special Route followed, while the fast liaison to Nafplio helped to maintain alertness for the Night Special Route that traditionally closes each TdP…
Departure at 21:00 in front of the Amalia hotel and coastal route to Vivari, Kandia and with the completion of the cycle, Nafplion, at the old port opposite Philellinon Square where the arch welcomed the crews with their vehicles like a warm embrace…
The award, the next day at the unique “Fougaro”, jewel of the city of Nafplio, with obvious satisfaction on everyone’s faces. The participants gave the organizing team a standing ovation and learned one more Greek word, the word ATHLOS, trnslt. feat… Because after all, the Tour du Péloponnèse is an internal struggle against the obstacles of the mind and the winners are all those who managed to be there with a smile…
Rendezvous at the 10th and anniversary Tour du Péloponnèse 2023.
See the results HERE
