- Alfred Rommelfanger’s first rally as Clerk of the Course
Munich/Trier, 13 August 2013 – With only a few days to go until the start of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland (22 to 25 August 2013), Alfred Rommelfanger is cool as a cucumber. At 57, the new Clerk of the Course has the overall responsibility for the German WRC event for the first time. Before WRC stars such as Sébastien Ogier or Mikko Hirvonen and German newcomer Sepp Wiegand can take the 2013 ADAC Rallye Deutschland under the wheels of their WRC cars, the organisers of this major event (some 200,000 spectators are expected), i.e. Rommelfanger and his team must first master a few new challenges. In our interview he told us about the preparations for this year’s rally.
What is the status of the preparations for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland?
“We are on schedule. This year’s special tasks inlcuded planning the drivers’ presentation at the Cologne cathedral. We have planned everything very carefully and hope to offer both the fans and the competitors a great rally highlight right from the beginning. But the finish and ceremony at the impressive Porta Nigra gate in Trier will also be a great rally spectacular played against a fantastic backdrop. Between the Cologne cathedral and the fPorta Nigra, the rally comes full circle and at the heart of it all is an exciting rally competition. With our preparations we are on the home straight so to say and look forward to an exciting 2013 ADAC Rallye Deutschland.
You bear the reponsibility of a Clerk of the Course for the first time. How nervous are you?
“I look forward to my first ADAC Rallye Deutschland as a Clerk of the Course. I have been involved with htis rally for a long time and I am familiar with the tasks at hand and the particulars from other executive positions. Still, it is something else again to have the ultimate responsibility. My predecessor Armin Kohl, who has impressed his mark on the rally for many years, has handed over a very well-settled ADAC Rallye Deutschland, with effective structures and an organisation team that works very smoothly. And finally, as a Clerk of the Course, you are not a one-man team: Like every year, I have the support of some 3,000 volunteer helpers from the region and from all over Germany working to make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland a success.”
Cologne is a new starting poínt in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. What are your expectations for this novelty?
"The new rally starting location at the Cologne cathedral will certainly be an asset for the event. We are seeing this as a promotion aimed at attracting even more people to the fascination of rally-racing. For many Cologne motor sport enthusiasts, this is an unprecedented opportunity to meet the world’s best rally drivers in the flesh and up-close. What’s more, as an important media centre, Cologne is predestined to attract the attention of fans from all over the world to the German WRC event. On an organisational level, we are working together with the City of Cologne in an exemplary fashion. Whoever we talk to – everybody looks forward to the drivers’ presentation at the Cologne cathedral.”
What do you have in store for the fans in Trier?
"In 2013, as always, the heart of German rally-racing beats in Trier and the greater Trier area – with stages in the vineyards along the Mosel, in the Hunsrück hills and in the Saar region. The hub of the rally is the Service Park installed on the Messepark Trier fairgrounds. Traditionally, the podium ceremony including the de rigueur champagne showers at the Porta Nigra in Trier on Sunday is the crowning culmination of the rally (25 August 2013). It is always a thrilling experience to se the rally cars proceed through the cordon of enthusiastic fans. With the famous ancient roman gate as a picturesque backdrop, the spectators can watch good mix of show and sport supporting events starting 12:40 hours. A real highlight for families!“
What is new in this year’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland?
“In addition to the start in Cologne the ADAC Rallye Deutschland has a few more new challenges for the competitors. The same evening after the presentation in Cologne, they are facing two completely new Special Stages: One in the Blankenheim area about an hour outside Cologne and the next at Sauertal near the border with Luxembourg. There are also a new sections in other stages and, unlike previously, the Peterberg Special Stage will be run from the other end. As you can see, we have tried to provide for variety.”
What ere the highlights for the spectators?
“The ADAC Rallye Deutschland has always been very spectator-friendly. Along each Special Stage, we have set up spectator areas offering the best view and optimum security. And the Panzerplatte Special Stage on the Baumholder tank range is certainly unique in international comparison since, like in an arena or stadium, the spectators can view several section of the stage from the same spot. An important innovation for the spectators is the simplified ticket structure: As of this year, there will be only one Rally Pass (note: €69.00 for the general public €64.00 for ADAC members plus shipping) affording access to every spectator area and the Service Park in Trier on each day of the rally. Tickets for single Special Stages are available starting at €15.00.”
About Alfred Rommelfanger
Alfred Rommelfanger has close ties to motor sport. The long-serving official has been an asset in organising the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. His previous assignments include Deputy and Chief Safety Officer. He has also served as a safety official in other series such as the DTM, STW and Formula 1. An enthusiastic gentleman driver, Rommelfanger drove in the 1985 ADAC Rallye Deutschland finishing third in his class the 57-year-old also has close ties to the hosting region: After training as a clerk and office manager, the native of the town of Zerf in the Trier-Saarburg district works as an insurance agency manager in his home town. Rommelfanger was the President of the Zerf motor sport club (MSC Zerf) for 16 years. After the 2012 ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Rommelfanger took over as Clerk of the Course from Armin Kohl who had served in this volunteer position for 18 years.
The official magazine of the 2013 ADAC Rallye Deutschland:
100 pages full of action bringing to life the German WRC rally – only in the official ADAC Rallye Deutschland magazine. Read it and you are in the know! It gives you all about the drivers, the teams, the itineraries, the spectator hot spots, and the WRC Rules and Regulations. Detailed maps, exciting background stories, exclusive interviews and many fascinating rally topics round off this indispensable companion for fans at the event and at home. The official magazine of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland is now available for €5.00 at well-stocked newsagents or at www.adac.de/motorsport,, www.adac-rallye-eutschland.de, and www.adrenalin-verlag.com.
Tickets to the ADAC Rallye Deutschland:
The German “flat rate” for rally fans: Five days of unadulterated rallying, including access to each and every spectator area at the Shakedown and every Special Stage. The passes also grant access to the Service Park, where the fans can watch the mechanics at work and meet the rally drivers. They also include a spectator map covering all essential information and showing the best viewing spots, a pass lanyard and an ADAC Rallye Deutschland decal. The passes are available for €69.00 (€64.00 for ADAC members) + shipping and handling through the Ticket Shop at www.adac-rallye-deutschland.de. Call the ticket hotline at: ++49 (0)261-13 03 66. Tickets for one Special Stage or the other only are available starting at €15.00.