Everything ready for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• Participants and organisers looking forward with eager anticipation
• German WRC event raring to go
• New itinerary and WRC standings promise maximum excitement all the way to the finish line

Munich. "I really look forward to the ADAC Rallye Deutschland," Thierry Neuville said at the official press conference in the run-up to the German WRC event. The ADAC Hyundai Motorsport driver won the Rallye Deutschland back in 2014. This year, the Belgian hailing from the German-speaking town of Sankt Vith has come to the Saarland as the leader in the WRC standings. His biggest rival, five-time World Champion Sébastien Ogier, will have to launch an attack to still have a say in the WRC. Nevertheless, the current WRC standings are only one of the many reasons that will ensure maximum excitement at the 2018 ADAC Rallye Deutschland (16 to 19 August) - so the press conference attendants in unison.

In addition to Neuville, the WRC stars Mads Østberg from Norway and U28 European Champion Marijan Griebel from Germany attended the press conference at St Wendel's historic town hall. Klaus Bouillon, Saarland Minister of the Interior, Building and Sport, and Peter Klär, mayor of St Wendel, were also there to answer the journalists' questions. Clerk of the Course Friedhelm Kissel and ADAC Rallye Deutschland brand ambassador Jutta Kleinschmidt also joined the conference.

Thierry Neuville is the top favourite at this year's ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Having had a great WRC season so far, the WRC leader has plenty of confidence to look forward: "I like the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. This is where I won the WRC for the first time four years ago. The challenging asphalt stages are exactly my cup of tea. Plus, the number of fans flocking to Germany to support me is always tremendous. This makes it something like a home game for me."

Mads Østberg is in good shape, too: at the Rally Finland two weeks ago, the Citroën driver came on strong and finished second: "I feel great behind the wheel and look forward to my start in Germany. The challenges are very tough here - especially at the Panzerplatte and in the vineyards. It's great that we will return to the vineyards before the Power Stage this year. This will be even more exciting for the fans. And for us drivers this means, above all, maximum concentration all the way to the finish line."

Marijan Griebel is full of anticipation, too. In his home game, the former ADAC sport foundation grantee will be behind the wheel of a premier-class WRC car for the first time: "This is a huge thing for me. The ADAC Rallye Deutschland almost takes place at my doorstep, which as such is great. But what's even more thrilling is that I will go into the home game in a WRC car. I want to enjoy all of it as fully as possible. As a sportsman, I want to aim high, trying to leave all WRC2 drivers - including the works drivers - behind me. I want to finish in the top ten to score my first points in the WRC."

Clerk of the Course Friedhelm Kissel is ready for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland as well: "We've successfully completed the preparations. Now we're happy to soon see some action." Minister Klaus Bouillon emphasised the importance of the event: "This week, the Saarland will be the navel of the rally world. I look forward to the many promising innovations this year's ADAC Rallye Deutschland will hold in store for us."

Afterwards, Kissel briefly presented the schedule. The first highlight will be the official opening ceremony on Thursday (16 August) in St Wendel's Schlossplatz. From there, the rally drivers will head straight for the first Special Stage, a circuit course on the outskirts of town. On Friday (17 August), the participants will race, amongst others, through the vineyards in the Mosel region. Fans should not miss all the action on the Baumholder military range with the famous - and notorious - Panzerplatte and the legendary Gina jump on Saturday (18 August). There will also be many support events. On the final day (19 August), the rally will return to the vineyards and finish with a new Power Stage. Having passed the finish line, the champion and the runners-up will directly proceed to the centre of St Wendel where the podium ceremony will take place. Those who want a close-up of rally action should go to Bostalsee where the AUTODOC Service Park is located. Admission to this central hub is free on all rally days.

Here is a selection of the most important comments from the press conference

Klaus Bouillon (Saarland Minister of the Interior, Building and Sport):
"The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is a sporting event whose reputation extends well beyond the boundaries of our region. Already last year, when the rally made its Saarland debut, we saw benefits for the entire region's economy and tourism. I am sure this will be the same in 2018. I wish all the rally spectators a good time in the Saarland and all participants a successful and accident-free event."

Peter Klär (mayor of St Wendel):
"As the mayor of St Wendel, I extend a cordial welcome to the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The whole town is in the grip of rally fever. We are very happy to host this event. It is great that our town is not only the venue of the official opening ceremony, the first Special Stage and the podium ceremony, but that many hotspots of the rally are located in St Wendel's immediate surroundings. As distances are short, there will be lots to see for the fans."

Friedhelm Kissel (ADAC Rallye Deutschland Clerk of the Course):
"Planning the itinerary of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland is very complex: this year's rally is over 325km long, has 18 Special Stages and over 50 spectator areas, as well as the infrastructure at the AUTODOC Service Park. Over 3,000 volunteer helpers, including some 2,000 marshals, will ensure that everything runs smoothly and everybody is safe. When it comes to safety, the spectators are an important factor. Therefore, my appeal to the fans is as follows: contribute to the rally's success by displaying exemplary behaviour!"

Jutta Kleinschmidt (ADAC Rallye Deutschland brand ambassador):
"In my new position as the ADAC Rallye Deutschland brand ambassador, it was very exciting for me to share my rally experience with the organisers. As a former rally driver, I have a pretty good idea of what the new itinerary means from a driver's perspective. What's for sure is that the teams can look forward to an extremely challenging rally and the spectators to maximum action."

Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Motorsport):
"It feels great to come to Germany being in the lead of the WRC. Naturally, that doesn't mean I can just rest on my laurels. Quite the contrary is true: I'll give everything and be on full attack. Especially the long stages such as the Panzerplatte or the new vineyard stage on Sunday require great concentration and a reliable car, which the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC definitely is."

Mads Østberg (Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT):
"Having competed in only four WRC rallies this year, I enjoy every kilometre of it. It went very well for me in Finland recently. I want to make sure that the ADAC Rallye Deutschland goes equally well. This won't be easy: after gravel, we will be back on asphalt - which is quite a change. And there will be more fans at the stages. At the Panzerplatte, it almost feels like in a football stadium. That's quite unique in the WRC calendar!"

Marijan Griebel (PH-Sport, Citroën DS3 WRC):
"The ADAC Rallye Deutschland really is a great party for the fans: they get up close and enjoy top-notch motor sport. I know what I'm talking about since this is my eighth start here. Since 2011, I have worked my way up through nearly all vehicle classes. One key factor was the long-standing support of the ADAC sport foundation. This is my first rally in a WRC car - the perfect opportunity to thank all partners and associates by achieving a good result."

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 passes (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.