Veni, vidi, vici – ADAC Rallye Deutschland in Historic Roman Settings

• Cologne and Trier: the German WRC rally has two historic cities on its itinerary

Munich/Trier, 20 August 2013 – The ancient Romans would have loved a rally. At least they were very fond of chariot races. Which driver, which vehicle will be the fastest? This old competitive principle still holds people in thrall today – and where better than at the German event in the 2013 World Rally Championship? The chariots and horse of ancient Rome have now become high-tech WRC cars with plenty of horses instead of just four – some 300hp to be precise.

Today’s WRC drivers are not only in spirit the followers of the Roman charioteers, they literally perform in their “footsteps” in terms of geography: Cologne, the starting point of the German WRC rally, and Trier are two important urban centres of ancient Rome on the itinerary of the rally. In Roman times, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium and Augusta Treverorum – the names of the two cities in antiquity – were connected by the Via Agrippa, an important roadway in the Roman province of Germany.

Cologne to Trier is the direction which WRC stars such as Sébastien Ogier or Mikko Hirvonen and the young German driver Sepp Wiegand will be taking right after the opening presentation near the Cologne cathedral (22 August 2013) to drive their first two Special Stages, the first at Blankenheim, the second in the Trier region. The greater region around the ancient sometime capital of the Western Roman Empire is the setting for a variety of Special Stages where the drivers will fight for WRC points and delight the expected 200,000 fans with their stunning high-speed drifts.

The location of the official closing ceremony of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland still exudes Roman flair today. The podium ceremony has traditionally been held at Trier’s famous Porta Nigra (or black) gate. The imposing architectural work of art is Germany’s best preserved Roman city gate and a worthy setting for celebrating the best WRC “gladiators”.

“We are very happy that for the first time, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will start in Cologne. The drivers’ presentation at the Cologne cathedral is a historic first – on historic soil. A Roman road led from this place to Trier 2000 years ago. Now the star drivers of the WRC are about to take the same road. I am confident that Cologne will be the perfect setting for the opening of this major sports event,” said Jürgen Roters, Lord Mayor of the City of Cologne.

“Trier and the ADAC Rallye Deutschland have been an item for over ten years now. As a major motor sport event, the German WRC rally has a very good reputation in the world of rally racing. It draws the public to the sport and it is a great publicity platform for our region. Nothing can outdo the flair of a podium ceremony at the Porta Nigra,” said Klaus Jensen, the Lord Mayor of the City of Trier.

The official 2013 ADAC Rallye Deutschland magazine

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-deutschland.de, and www.adrenalin-verlag.com.

Get your tickets while you can

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 through the hotline at: ++49 (0)261-13 03 66. Tickets for one Special Stage or the other only are available starting at €15.00.