Munich. The ADAC Rallye Deutschland (17-20 August 2017) attracts the world’s top-ranking rally drivers. Stars like Sébastien Ogier or Thierry Neuville appreciate the rich variety of challenges that is in store for them at the German WRC rally. To a large extent, this is the merit of the 18 ADAC regional clubs and their active onsite commitment and the patronage they assume of the Special Stages. Likewise the volunteer Marshals: some 2,000 of these specially trained helpers will be around to ensure that everything runs smoothly again this year.
“The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is ADAC’s major collaborative effort. With its 18 regional clubs and the enormous number of volunteers this rally has particular significance for us,” says ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk. “Without the volunteer engagement of over 2,000 Marshals and another 1,000 helpers, this event of the WRC would be impossible to run. Once again, it becomes evident that voluntary work in Germany is essential for the organisation of a crowd-drawing event like this.”
Clerk of the Course Friedhelm Kissel: “The Marshals are the unsung heroes of each motor sport event. This is especially true for a World Championship rally like the ADAC Rallye Deutschland and its complex organisation. This is why at ADAC we are very keen to thoroughly train and prepare our Marshals.”
The Marshals’ core task is to ensure the safety of the track and spectator areas. The rally drivers will cover over 309km to complete a total of 21 Special Stages at this year’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland. On long Special Stages like the notorious Panzerplatte (19 August 2017) with its nearly 42km, up to 300 Marshals will engage in a coordinated effort – for the planning teams, this is a major logistical task.
Such intensive staffing of Special Stages with Marshals is also essential for fast and effective communication. During Special Stages, the Marshals immediately report any irregularities to Rally Control. When accidents occur, they call in support and administer first aid where needed and make the location safe for other drivers coming along the stage. Marshals responsible for the spectator areas make sure that the security rules are strictly complied with. To this end, they always work in teams so that each post is manned by at least two Marshals.
Like the Special Stage officials, most Marshals are from ADAC local clubs. As in previous years, they will again come from all over Germany in 2017. Neighbouring countries will also provide support. As a prerequisite for working at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, it is necessary to take part in a training course focussing on the special requirements of a WRC rally in addition to having completed the Stewards training programme. The volunteer Special Stage teams are also recruited from the ADAC local clubs. Their tasks involve the setting up and removing of Special Stages including all barriers, security measures and signs.
In addition to the commitment of the more than 2,000 Marshals from the ADAC local clubs, another about 1,000 volunteers are involved in setting up spectator areas and parking lots, selling rally passes and programme brochures and catering for the spectators.
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 EUR70 (EUR65 for ADAC members). Day passes are available for EUR35 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.