Prime locations at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• Fan tips for all highlights of this year’s German FIA WRC rally

Munich. Over 325km of rally action spread over 18 spectacular Special Stages – that’s the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. This year’s German event of the FIA WRC, which will take place from 16 to 19 August in the Saarland and neighbouring regions, has plenty of highlights to offer. There will be some 50 spectator areas along the track affording optimal view and maximum safety. We will present a small selection of these prime locations as tips for fans, along with the respective highlights of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Thursday, 16 August 2018
St Wendeler Land Shakedown (5.52km, starting at 08:00 hours): The warm-up of the rally teams is also a good opportunity for the spectators to get ready for the action to come. Tip for fans: The P1, P2 and P3 drivers will hit the track between 08:00 hours and 11:30 hours – enough time for you to check out some of the 5 spectator areas. Admission will be free for holders of rally passes.

Opening ceremony in St Wendel (starting at 17:00 hours): The official start in Schlossplatz, the town square of St Wendel, is a must for rally-racing enthusiasts. All participants will be presented here. Tip for fans: Make sure to be there early! As part of the support events, the WRC stars will be signing autographs here. Admission will be free for all visitors.

SS 1 St Wendel (2.04km, 19:08 hours): From the opening ceremony, the teams will drive straight to the first Special Stage. The circuit stage on the outskirts of St Wendel promises spectacular drifts. Tip for fans: Watch the action on the giant video screen in the Schlossplatz town square.

Friday, 17 August 2018
SS 2 & 5 Stein und Wein (19.44km, 10:11 hours & 15:39 hours): Along this challenging section east of Trier there are 5 spectator areas – in some of them, you can even stand on the famous retaining walls in the vineyards. Tip for fans: Enjoy a combination of great rally sport and a grandiose arena feel in the Waldrach Sportplatz (athletic field) spectator area!

SS 3 & 6 Mittelmosel (22.00km, 11:05 hours & 16:33 hours): This distinctive vineyard stage with it spectacular hairpin turns and breathtaking panoramas is a real crowd pleaser. Tip for fans: An intense rally experience is guaranteed as you stand on the retaining walls in the vineyards of the Klüsserath spectator area while the cars zoom past at great speed.

SS 4 & 7 Wadern-Weiskirchen (9.27km, 12:53 hours & 18:21 hours): This circuit stage north of Saarbrücken made its WRC debut in 2017. Narrow asphalt roads and tricky 90-degree turnoffs require the teams’ utmost concentration. Tip for fans: Campers should head for the spectator area next to the start and finish line. It has motorhome pitches directly next to the SS!

Saturday, 18 August 2018
SS 8 & 12 Arena Panzerplatte (9.43km, 08:48 hours & 15:08 hours): The short Sprint of the previous years will be a real middle-distance challenge this year. Amongst other attractions, it features the famous – and notorious – Gina jump. Tip for fans: Bring your camera! Standing in the Gina spectator area, you will get to see plenty of spectacular jumps.

SS 9 & 13 Panzerplatte (38.57km, 09:15 hours & 15:35 hours): The long Panzerplatte stage is the ultimate endurance test for both man and machine: tyre-killing surfaces and breathtaking action. Tip for fans: Move around! The many different spectator points form a great network and are within easy walking distance of each other. They will allow you to enjoy the action from all perspectives. Also, use the free shuttle bus services from/to the parking areas.

SS 10 & 14 Freisen (14.78km, 11:03 hours & 17:23 hours): The teams are in for a lightning-fast roller coaster ride between the Saarland and Palatinate regions with many directional changes. Tip for fans: In the Eckersweiler spectator area, you will park right next to the SS. Please observe the 30kph speed limit on your way to the car park.

SS 11 & 15 Römerstraße (12.28km, 12:06 hours & 18:26 hours): This stage on the roads southwest of St Wendel is one of the fastest sections of the German WRC rally. Tip for fans: In the Urexweiler spectator area, you will see the WRC stars jump over an invisible left turn.

Sunday, 19 August 2018
SS 16 & 17 Grafschaft (29.07km, 07:49 hours & 09:42 hours): New: on the final day, the rally drivers will tackle the vineyards again. The 29km Grafschaft SS, run twice, is an XXL festival of hairpin turns. Tip for fans: Let your gaze linger on the rally vehicles for an extra-long time at the Arena Veldenz! This spectator area is an impressive natural grandstand with a prime view.

SS 18 Bosenberg (14.04km, 12:18 hours): Finally, the new Power Stage will take the rally teams back to St Wendel. The winner of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will be decided just outside the town. Tip for fans: From the Kehrberg spectator area, the participants of the German WRC rally will remain in sight all the way to the finish line.

Podium ceremony in St Wendel (starting at 13:00 hours): The winners of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will drive straight on to St Wendel from the finish line of the Power Stage. At the official podium ceremony, fans can join in a long party in the Schlossplatz town square. Tip for fans: Come to the town centre earlier and watch the Power Stage live on the giant video screen! Admission will be free.

AUTODOC Service Park at Bostalsee
The AUTODOC Service Park at Bostalsee is always worth a visit. Nowhere else will you be this close to the drivers and their cars. And there is no better place for autograph collectors. In addition to fan shops and eating/shopping facilities, there will be many presentations by the manufacturers and rally partners for you to explore. Admission will be free on all days! Tip for fans: Let’s rock! On Saturday (18 August), the band members of Groovin Affairs will ensure a festival atmosphere.

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 (under the 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 EUR70 (EUR65 for ADAC members). Day passes are available for EUR35 exclusively in pre-sale. During the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, the regular price for a rally pass will be EUR80 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, international atmosphere.