Athens, May 28 (IANS) World champion Sebastien Loeb of France won the Acropolis Rally for third time in the history of the four-day so-called Rally of Gods in Greece, and recorded his fourth victory in six rallies for this year's world championship.

Loeb drove his Citreon car in 4:42:03 overall time from Athens to Loutraki in Peloponnese Sunday in one of the toughest races internationally with rocky roads, retaining a lead over his Finn team mate Mikko Hirvonen who ranked second, reported Xinhua.

Ford driver Jari Latvala was third, while his team mate Norwegian Petter Solberg, who was regarded as Loeb's main opponent in the 58th Acropolis Rally, was unlucky, since he crashed into a tree, tearing off a wheel.

A total of 55 crews participated in the 2012 Rally of Gods covering a total distance of 400 km, as part of the overall 13-round World Championship this year.