New ADAC Rallye Deutschland gets off to a stunning start

• New Eiweiler Shakedown a ground-breaking “warm-up” for the elite of the WRC drivers
• WRC stars up close at autograph signing session and opening ceremony in Saarbrücken
• Prime rally action at timed city circuit stage in Saarland’s capital

Munich. As soon as the ADAC Rallye Deutschland kicks off officially on 17 August, the drivers will get down to business straight away: 100% action right from the first second! Thursday with its all-new programme will be a spectacular teaser for the many rally highlights to come. The new Eiweiler Shakedown in the morning will be a last toughness test for World Champion Sébastien Ogier and the other WRC stars before the German event of the FIA World Rally Championship (17 to 20 August 2017). In the evening, the eyes of the rally world will be on the city centre of Saarbrücken where, right after the opening ceremony and the presentation of the drivers, the competitors will be racing against the clock. The timed prologue on the city circuit is the first of a total of 21 Special Stages of the 2017 German WRC event.

Eiweiler Shakedown
The fans can look forward to prime rally action early Thursday morning when the WRC drivers and cars will hit the road from 08:00 hours. 4.09km long, this “warm-up” stage of the German WRC event will be mandatory for all participants; it is held just a few kilometres west of Bostalsee where the new Service Park is located. Returning to asphalt after five events on gravel roads, this will be the last toughness test for the teams before the start of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The itinerary holds in store what is typical of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland: narrow winding turn-offs, tight turns, ultra-fast asphalt roads. Since the WRC crews will pass several times through the section, the Shakedown is certain to whet the fans’ appetite for the next days of rally action in the Saarland and neighbouring regions. Admission to the Eiweiler Shakedown is included in the rally pass.

Opening ceremony in Saarbrücken
The official start of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will be on Thursday evening in the heart of Saarbrücken. At the opening ceremony on Tbilisser Platz against the backdrop of the State Theatre, the spectators can admire all participants in the German WRC event and their cars from up close. The official start is at 17:15 hours – with interviews, music and much more. Plus, there will be lots to see for visitors also in the hours before. Shortly before 18:00 hours, all WRC stars will gather for a group picture and then be available for the fans hunting for autographs or selfies. A visit to the ADAC exhibition space on the banks of the Saar will also be worthwhile. This is where the spectators will also find refreshments, a WRC simulator and a course of the ADAC MX Academy. A large video screen ensures that they can watch the first Special Stage live. Admission to the opening ceremony is free. At €20, visitors can follow the event from the stands.

Saarbrücken Super Special Stage
Right after the opening ceremony, the WRC stars will demonstrate their stunning driving skills. From Tbilisser Platz the drivers will move right away to the start of the first Special Stage, the Saarbrücken Super Special Stage. On the 2.05km long circuit stage, they will speed across Wilhelm-Heinrich-Brücke, a bridge spanning both the Saar and the urban motorway. On the left bank of the river, the drivers will also pass one of the capital’s landmarks, the old Saarkran crane. However, they will hardly have time to look at any attractions since the narrow course will demand ultimate concentration and hold stunning rally action with spectacular drifts in store. Several spectator areas line the circuit – all of them affording prime viewing. The first vehicle will hit the road at 19:10 hours. The city prologue lets the participants compare their performance and see where they stand.

Get your rally and day passes in pre-sale now
In addition to the four-day rally passes, the fans can now also buy day passes for Friday, Saturday or Sunday in pre-sale. On the day printed on the pass, passholders get access to all spectator areas along each Special Stage and the ADAC Rallye Deutschland Service Park. In 2017, fans can also buy self-print passes. They serve as proof of purchase to be redeemed for rally passes or day passes at the rally venue. Visit the official ticket shop on the web at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland (go to the Tickets tab).

Pre-sale buyers will enjoy discounts and attractive packages, including the official ADAC Rallye Deutschland event guide. The same as last year, the pre-sale price of a rally pass package is €70 (€65 for ADAC members). Day passes are available for €35 exclusively in pre-sale.

The rally passes cover:
– Access to all Special Stages on all days
– Access to the Service Park on all days
– Access to the Shakedown on Thursday
– A spectator map providing all the essential information about the rally
– ADAC Rallye Deutschland lanyard
– ADAC Rallye Deutschland sticker
– ADAC Rallye Deutschland magazine (in German with essential information in English and French)

ADAC Rallye Deutschland information:
The ADAC Rallye Deutschland has a unique worldwide reputation. Its mix of hairpin stages in the vineyards, tough tracks on the Baumholder tank range and fast asphalt roads presents extreme challenges for both the teams and the drivers. Excellent driving skills and versatility are of the essence here. 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.