For the competitors, of course, the rally is a genuine
challenge. “No matter how dominant some drivers have
been, results can change from stage to stage,
because teams just can’t predict the conditions and
toughness of the roads. I believe this is the reason Cyprus
has appeared in all the top championships over the
years,” says Christodoulou.
It’s not uncommon for drivers, crews and spectators
to extend their stays in order to explore the island either,
so the holiday feeling doesn’t stop with the race – and it’s
not just tourists who flock to the rally. “It remains
Cyprus’s largest international sporting event,” reveals
the guide. “Even locals who don’t care much about
rallying will turn out in their thousands to watch and
make a day of it. It’s been part of the scene for years.”
But, while the sunny conditions are great for those
watching, they can be tough on the drivers. “In Cyprus
the cockpit temperature is 80°C, so it’s like racing in a
STEP BACK
IN TIME
Take a break to
explore this island’s
rich history
KOURION
Approximately 18km west
of Limassol (also known as
Lemesos), Kourion (or
Curium) is a fascinating
archaeological site with
stunning views across the
sea. The 2nd-Century BC
amphitheatre is still in use,
staging Shakespeare’s
Twelfth Night
in June
(
shakespeareatcurium.com
).
You can find out more
about Kourion at the
Kourion Archaeological
Museum (
tinyurl.com/
aht3ums
),
in the nearby
village of Episkopi.
KATO PAPHOS
Close to the harbour at
Paphos, and next to the site
of the service park of the
most recent Cyprus Rally,
there is plenty of interest
here for any budding
Indiana Jones or Lara Croft,
including the remains of
mosaic-floored Roman
villas, the Paphos Odeon
theatre and Saranta
Kolones (Forty Columns)
Fort, which was built in the
13
th century to protect the
harbour. Don’t miss the
Tombs of the Kings, dating
from the 3rd century BC
to the 3rd Century AD
(
visitpafos.org.cy
).
PETRA TOU ROMIOU
On the road to Limassol,
25
km east of Paphos, is a
rock just off-shore – but
not just any rock. This one
has long been revered as
the birthplace of Aphrodite.
According to the myth, the
Greek goddess of love and
beauty was born from the
waves here in 1200 BC.
Park on the old B6 coastal
road and access the pebbly
beach via the underpass
(
tinyurl.com/arscczx
).
THE HEAT IS ON
01
Part of the race’s
appeal is how
astonishingly close
spectators can get to
the action
02
A driver from the 2012
Middle East Rally
»
01
02
“
EVEN LOCALS
WHO DON’T CARE
MUCH ABOUT
RALLYING
WILL
TURNOUT IN THEIR
THOUSANDS”
0 9 5
R A L L Y
C Y P R U S
