Marco Bianchini and Emanuele Baldaccini driving the black Lancia Stratos, set the fastest time on two of three stages held this morning (above). Now they enjoy a more comfortable lead, before the night stages. In the Regularity category, there is a great battle for first place going on today. After the 29th time trial, Karoubas and Makrygiannis in their Fiat 124 Spider (above), are in the lead with an accumulated 40.9 time penalty.

The Third Leg of the seventh Historic Acropolis Rally got underway this morning, as the surviving 39 crews in the 'Sporting' category left Loutraki once again. All of them had to compete on three special stages, and all were on gravel surfaces. This day is very special for all the competitors.

After the three morning stages the crews returned to Loutraki for some rest, because the action will restart at 20:00 pm, as today’s programme includes four night special stages. It will be a great moment for the crews and of course for all the fans of the sport, who will remember the older Acropolis rallies, when the drivers were in the cars from morning until night and the Rallies were a marathon and true adventure.

Last year's winners Marco Bianchini and Emanuele Baldaccini driving the black Lancia Stratos HF, set the fastest time on two of three stages held this morning. Now they enjoy a more comfortable lead, before the night stages. "On the first stage we were very careful," said Bianchini. "We liked the others but we always try to respect the car. The night has a particular sound of rallying, so we are looking forward to it."

Behind them, Vassilis and John Velanis in the Ford Escort set one fastest time in the opening stage of the day and they have increased their gap from Brazzoli and Trutalli with a Porsche 911, who are still in the third place. 'Montecristo' and Pallas in another Ford Escort, are still in fourth place, while Tsapalos and Petropoulous are following them in fifth place. Lykakis and Hatzitheodoridis turned in an impressive run this morning and are now lying sixth, running just 30 seconds behind the Porsche crew.

In the Regularity category, there is a great battle for first place going on. After the 29th time trial, Karoubas and Makrygiannis in their Fiat 124 Spider, are in the lead with an accumulated 40.9 time penalty. Very close to them though are Vanezos and Kodjamanis driving an MG Roadster with 41,1 time penalty.

Now the rally cars are in the rally's official service area in Loutraki and the mechanics are busy modifying them to tarmac specification. At 20:00 pm this evening the first cars will leave Loutraki and the crews will compete at night in four special stages: Gymno, Galata, Douka Vrissi and Gymno again.

The fourth and last day of the rally on Wednesday, will bring the crews back to Attiki, and after four more asphalt special stages (Meletaki, Stefani, Ritsona, Agios Merkourios) they will end up back at the Acropolis where they will climb the finish ramp which will signal the end of the 7th Historic Acropolis Rally.