Rally Greece Offroad to set off from Argos Orestikou, NW Greece, on Wednesday

A total of 84 competitors from 14 European countries will participate in the largest offroad road race in Greece that will conclude on June 18 at the same startoff town.

The course totals 1,000 km, of which 640 km are special routes. Competitors are expected to spend around 12 hours a day racing, while three races will also run concurrently: Federation Internationale de l' Automobile's (FIA) European Cup; a national rally that collects points toward the Italian championship; and the East European prize.

Rally Greece Offroad is the only cross-country rally in Europe in which specials routes reach an altitude of 1950 m, including steep climbs and downhills, while some points resemble FIA's World Rally Championship routes in difficulty.

Speaking at a press conference on the upcoming race, Mayor Panos Kepaptsoglou said, "I could never have imagined that an informal conversation three years ago would end up in one of the biggest celebrations of motor sports, with Argos Orestikou assuming the main responsibility of organization and hospitality." The event is fully supported by all agencies of the Kastoria region, without reservations, he added. It is expected to bring over 2,500 visitors to the region, a much higher visit that organizers expected.