Petter didn't get the place through sheer attrition either - although granted a number of drivers' did fall victim to the Greek event, which is regarded as a real car wreaker. Indeed 'Hollywood' set a number of very competitive times, including 10 top-five times on the opening two days, before easing off on day three to make sure he got to the end.

The result was especially welcome for the Norwegian, who has had a difficult season and who was last on the rostrum twelve months ago on this very event.

"The car has been working with no problems. It has huge potential but we are not there yet," noted Petter. "We are getting better and better. Second place is a bonus. I think all the team has been working hard and must be proud now. It has been a tough event."

Mikko Hirvonen was next up, 46.6 seconds further back, having inherited third on the final day when Henning Solberg had engine problems. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi team leader had a difficult round, losing time in the final stage on day 1 with suspension problems when he hit a rock and again damaging his suspension on Saturday morning.

As such he was delighted to only concede four points to Loeb in the race for the 2008 drivers' title and while it does drop him to second, on the plus side he won't have to run first on the road in Turkey in two weeks time.

"It has been very rough with so many problems. I am glad we made it to third position. It was the roughest Acropolis I have ever competed in," said the 27-year-old.

Further down the order Urmo Aava was a very good fourth in his privately entered C4 WRC. The Estonian like most of the runners had his problems and he lost considerable time with a puncture on Saturday morning.

He fought back though and throughout the event set some notable times, including winning SS7, the short run through the super special and more significantly the 16.60 kilometre Pissia 2 test - SS12.

"I am very happy," said Aava. "We are finally getting to know the car better. Citroen Sport helped us a lot with the set-up and now we have a very good car. I am looking forward to Turkey which is a similar rally, only slower."

Dani Sordo trailed Aava home, 30 seconds further back and nearly 5 minutes off Loeb. The Spaniard could have possibly won the event but for those tyre issues on Saturday afternoon.