Loeb is in impressive form at the moment

After seven rounds, the Citroen driver is on 55 points, 13 ahead of Petter Solberg, with Markko Martin in third.

The event will make history as it is the first to include a stage inside a stadium, the Athens Olympic stadium.

"The tarmac is very grippy. It's slow but pretty spectacular. It's the best thing for spectators," said Solberg.

Two cars at a time will compete over a 1.2km tarmac track inside the stadium, with September's Rally of Wales having a similar event in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Not all drivers share Solberg's enthusiasm, however, for a stage which will take place three hours away from where the rally proper begins on Friday.

"Last year in Greece we did not have anything in Athens and it was so much better," said double world champion Marcus Gronholm.

"I think all the drivers hate to go that far. It's inconvenient for everybody."

Retired former champion, Carlos Sainz, continues his brief return to action deputising for Francois Duval, but is adamant this will be his final appearance.

"I have no intention of staging a comeback to the World Rally Championship. This will be my final contribution," he said.