About Lamia
The term "Lamia racing circuit" does not refer to a single permanent racetrack with fixed boundaries and permanent infrastructure. Instead, it describes the collection of motorsport venues and activities organized around the city of Lamia, Greece. The Racing Club of Lamia (ALAL) manages these motorsport events across the region. ALAL uses public roads, mountain routes, and temporary facilities to create diverse racing experiences. This approach allows the organization to host multiple types of competitions throughout the year.
The Racing Club of Lamia (ALAL)
ALAL was founded in 1970 and stands as the second oldest motorsports association in Greece. The club has operated for over 50 years, organizing hundreds of competitive events. ALAL maintains a complete staff of executives, timekeepers, judges, and technical stewards. The organization serves as one of three primary crews that manage significant portions of the Acropolis Rally. ALAL members have won numerous national championships and secured top positions in both Greek and international competitions.
Rally Events
Rally competitions form the foundation of ALAL's activities. The Rally Fthiotidos has run almost every year since 1970, making it one of Greece's longest-running rally events. The club organizes both tarmac and gravel versions of this rally. The 2023 tarmac edition featured 82.54 kilometers of racing across special stages including Mpralos-Pavliani (30.35 km) and Kaloskopi (10.92 km). The gravel version covered 92.64 racing kilometers over a total distance of 303.38 km. Special stages include legendary sections such as Tarzan, Stirfaka, Gardiki, Moschokarya, Makrirachi, Mendenitsa, Pauliani, Eleftherochori, and Elateia. These rally stages use existing public roads that are temporarily closed for competition.
Hill Climb Competitions
ALAL organizes the Hill Climb of Moschokaryas, which counts as an official round of the Greek Hill Climb Championship. These events require drivers to race against the clock on uphill courses. The routes typically follow winding mountain roads with significant elevation changes. Hill climb events use paved road surfaces and measure several kilometers in length.
Additional Motorsport Activities
ALAL has expanded beyond traditional rally and hill climb events. The club now hosts rally sprints, drift shows, GP Tuning events, and track days. These events attract large numbers of competitors and spectators each year. Drift shows and track days use adapted temporary courses or designated paved areas. These venues provide space for the specific requirements of each event type.
Technical Characteristics
The racing venues around Lamia do not have fixed technical specifications like permanent circuits. Rally stage lengths vary from under 11 km to over 30 km per stage. Total rally distances, including transfer sections, can exceed 300 km. Both tarmac and gravel surfaces are available for different event types. The terrain includes mountain roads, valley routes, and open areas. Courses follow natural topography and existing road networks, creating dynamic and challenging layouts.
Connection to Acropolis Rally
The Lamia region has hosted stages for the Acropolis Rally for over 40 years. Lamia served as the rally headquarters for five consecutive years. ALAL plays a critical role in organizing these championship events. This connection has established Lamia as a significant location in Greek and international rally sport.