BP Ford's Marcus Gronholm has taken first place honours in the Acropolis Rally of Greece this weekend, the 60th for Ford in the FIA World Rally Championship, as the season hits the half-way mark.

The Finn claimed the rally lead in the first leg of the weekend, and ended the event with a 38.6 second overall advantage over second place finisher and reigning World Champion, Citroen Total driver Sebastian Loeb. Gronholm is now nine points ahead in the Driver's Championship.

Subaru's Petter Solberg claimed his second podium finish of the year after finishing this weekend third overall. The Norwegian showed good speed throughout the weekend, and although he didn't challenge Loeb for the number two overall position, he was able to maintain the pace of the Frenchman on the second and third leg of the event.

On hand in Greece this weekend was Rally Ireland Promoter Ronan Morgan, Clerk of the Course Tom Walsh and Assistant Clerk of the Course Gordon Noble, in preparation for Ireland's entry into the Championship with the cross-border Rally Ireland in November this year.

"We may have a fight on our hands at Rally Ireland in November," said Morgan. "We're half-way through the season and no clear favourite has emerged in either the Driver's or Manufacturer's title races, so it would be great publicity for Ireland globally to have our event be the one where the decider takes place on our first time in the Championship."

The Championship takes a ten-week break heading into the summer, with the next round taking place in Finland in August.