Focus on safety at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• The safety of all parties involved is the organisers’ main task
• Essential safety tips for visitors to the German WRC event

Munich. When Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville and the other WRC drivers go all out for WRC points at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, spectacular motor sport and the highest levels of safety for all parties involved are assured. At the German WRC rally, the protection of spectators, participants, officials and volunteers has always been the highest priority. This is why the safety concept for this major sporting event, scheduled to take place between 16 and 19 August 2018 in the Saarland and surrounding regions, is developed further every year.

Meticulous planning and seamless supervision for maximum safety

From the earliest stages of planning, safety is a central concern. To get a first-hand picture of the possible hazards and risks on site and to prepare viable solutions, the team of Chief Safety Officer Kai Hantel has been active since last autumn. In a phased procedure involving the Special Stage chief officials and active rally drivers, all the necessary safety precautions are planned for the rally stages and spectator areas.

Safety is one of the key criteria when the itinerary is submitted to the FIA for approval. The FIA Chief Safety Officer, Michèle Mouton, reviewed and approved the itinerary for the 2018 ADAC Rallye Deutschland. To ensure safety during the rally, the Chief Safety Officer of the rally will hold an extensive briefing with the crews of the advance cars and the supporting helicopter some three weeks before the event. During the rally, nine advance cars will be deployed to start ahead of any WRC car and check that the Special Stages and safety measures were correctly set up.

Optimised team leads concept improves communication

The high levels of safety at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland are also owing to the work of the over 2,000 volunteer Marshals deployed at the rally. To ensure that they can intervene fast and effectively, a team leads concept was implemented and refined over the past few years. The team leads are all trained and experienced Marshals. They beef up the chain of communication between the Marshals posted along the road and the Special Stage chief officials. All the messages – from the Special Stage chief officials and Marshals, the rally car tracking systems, the organisation vehicles and even from the first responder teams and police – converge at the control centre.

Spectators are the important factor

Another important element in the safety concept of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland are the fans. ADAC appeals to the spectators’ individual responsibility. To promote exemplary behaviour among the spectators, all communication media use trilingual safety warnings and instructions in German, English and French as well as simple pictograms to clearly show what is allowed and what is not. In addition, the purchasers of passes receive an overview sheet with the essential dos and don’ts in five languages.

ADAC also recommends that spectators seek information on the Internet: the Spectators tab at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland regroups all safety warnings and instructions. Here you will also find a video featuring WRC driver Thierry Neuville who explains the ins and outs of safety at the Rally Germany and a video on spectator safety at rallying events produced for the FIA by ADAC (note: the videos are meant to be uplinked and embedded by interested media free of charge).

The ten top safety tips for ADAC Rallye Deutschland spectators:

• Always stay in the designated spectator areas. They are marked by a yellow plastic fence. Any other areas are no-go areas and must not be entered.
• Follow the Marshals’ instructions. The Marshals will be pleased to assist you if you require medical or other help.
• Never enter the track and always keep the start and finish areas clear.
• Do not remove any signs or arrows.
• Never drive cars or recreational vehicles on the Special Stages, not even the night before!
• Keep an eye on your children.
• Do not bring dogs to the rally.
• Do not light campfires.
• Unmanned aircraft (drones) are strictly forbidden.
• Do not block any access or escape routes with your vehicle.

Get your rally and day passes in pre-sale now!

Passes for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland are available from the official ticket shop on the web: go to www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland (Tickets tab) to get your four-day rally passes or day tickets (Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday). Pre-sale buyers will enjoy discounts and an attractive package offer that includes the official event magazine. Just like 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. During the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, the regular price for a rally pass will be €80 at all on-site sales points.

The rally passes cover:

• Access to all Special Stages on all days
• Access to the AUTODOC 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, inter-national atmosphere.