Andreas Mikkelsen in the lead of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

A thrilling battle in the vineyards between Volkswagen and Hyundai
Small time differences and an exciting showdown thrill the fans on the opening day of the German FIA World Rally Championship round

Munich/Trier, 19 August, 2016 – Thrilling battles for fastest times made their mark on the opening day of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The first five special stages that took place in the vineyards along the Moselle and on a new super special stage near Trier produced a total of three different winners. At the end of the day, Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) in his Volkswagen Polo R WRC was on top: after five of the rally’s 18 special stages, the third-placed from the previous year has a 4.3 seconds’ margin from world champion Sébastien Ogier (FRA). Just behind the Volkswagen duo, Thierry Neuville (BEL) and Dani Sordo (ESP), both with a Hyundai New i20 WRC, follow in third and fourth. Ott Tänak (EST, Ford Fiesta RS WRC) and Stéphane Lefebvre (FRA, Citroën DS 3 WRC) round out the top six.

Last year’s second-placed driver, Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) having had to park his Polo R WRC due to gearbox failure on the opening stage (Mittelmosel), a four-way battle between Volkswagen drivers Ogier and Mikkelsen and Hyundai drivers Neuville and Sordo soon emerged. Sébastien Ogier was the first driver to post a fastest stage time in the vineyards. On the second stage (Moselland), the 2014 ADAC Rallye Deutschland winner, Thierry Neuville, also made his mark with a fastest stage time. Mikkelsen moved up into the lead as he had also been faster than the French world champion, who overshot a hairpin and lost time.

In the afternoon, Andreas Mikkelsen claimed victory in the second running of Mittelmosel with a faultless drive and initially was able to extend his lead. However, he didn’t have to wait for long for Sébastien Ogier’s counter-attack: the latter reduced the gap by posting the fastest time on the fourth stage. The ‘showdown’ at the new super special of Ollmuth near Trier concluded the day and caused plenty of excitement. Numerous spectators watched world championship leader Ogier take his third stage win. As Mikkelsen also posted a fast time at the super special, the Norwegian remained in the lead. Ogier, however, moved ahead of Neuville to take second place.

The best-placed German, Armin Kremer concluded the day in 9th place with his Škoda Fabia R5 and thus also led the WRC 2 standings. Marijan Griebel from the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team is leading the RC4 class. In the overall standings, the driver, who is supported by the ADAC Stiftung Sport, is in 22th position. His fellow Opel driver Julius Tannert, who is also supported by the ADAC Stiftung Sport, is in 26th place overall (4th place class RC4) with his Opel Adam R2. Fabian Kreim, the third protégé of the ADAC Stiftung Sport in the field, had a technical problem after the third stage and had to conclude the day early. After the opening day, Jari Huttunen (FIN) is leading the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup that is running within the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Standings after 5 of 18 special stages:

1. Mikkelsen/Jæger NOR/NOR Volkswagen Polo R WRC 59:42.6 min.
2. Ogier/Ingrassia FRA/FRA Volkswagen Polo R WRC + 0:04,3 min.
3. Neuville/Gilsoul BEL/BEL Hyundai New i20 WRC + 0:05,9 min.
4. Sordo/Marti ESP/ESP Hyundai New i20 WRC + 0:12,7 min.
5. Tänak/Molder EST/EST Ford Fiesta RS WRC + 0:55,4 min.
6. Lefebvre/Moreau FRA/FRA Citroën DS 3 WRC + 1:06,6 min.

Tickets still available on-site

Anyone who does not yet have a rally pass need not miss out on the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The rally pass can be purchased at a price of 80 Euros in the ADAC branches at Trier, Koblenz, Idar-Oberstein and Saarbrücken, as well as at the Service Park in Trier (Messegelände) and in the tourist information office at the Porta Nigra. During the event, rally passes can also be purchased at all the daily ticket sales booths and information points of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. There are several last-minute pass options for rally fans on site: for as little as €20, they can get the Special Stage pass, entitling them to visit one Special Stage and the Service Park in Trier. The price is the same for any Special Stage, except for the Arena Panzerplatte on the Baumholder military range, which offers a much more extensive programme than other Special Stages. A pass for the Arena Panzerplatte (incl. Service Park) costs €25 on site. Fans who want to visit the Service Park only pay €5 for a day pass. For an overview of the prices and points of sale go to www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland (click on “Tickets”).

The official magazine of the 2016 ADAC Rallye Deutschland

On 80 loaded pages, the official Rally Magazine offers its readers the essential information on drivers, teams, the itinerary and spectator areas of the 2016 ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Exciting background stories, exclusive interviews, an attractive sweepstake and many fascinating rally topics round off the rally magazine. Detailed maps including the official large Spectator Map are further sources of information for diehard rally fans. The magazine is available for €5 at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland. It is also available from the ADAC Rallye Deutschland ticket shop by calling +49 261 13 03 300 or sending an e-mail to ticket@rallye-deutschland.de. It comes free with the 4-day rally pass. It will be available at the on-site ticket offices at the Shakedown and the usual ticket points during the whole event.

ADAC Rallye Deutschland information:

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland has a unique world-wide reputation. Its mix of hairpin stages in the Mosel vineyards, tough tracks on the Baumholder tank range and fast asphalt roads presents extreme challenges for both teams and drivers. This mix requires excellent driving skills and versatility. Diversity, high-class action and closeness to the fans are the ingredients that make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland such an attractive package for spectators as well. Year after year, this major event draws enthusiastic crowds from all over Europe, giving it a special, international atmosphere.