True Champions of their Own: Volunteers Make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland Happen

• German WRC event owes much to the dedication of all parties involved
• Preparations in high gear with a special focus on yet more safety
• Volunteers a decisive factor in the success of this major event

Munich/Trier, 13 June 2014 – It is only natural that the star WRC drivers should be in the focus of the fans’ attention at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland (21 to 24 August 2014). But before Sébastien Ogier, Mikko Hirvonen, Robert Kubica, Thierry Neuville and all the other rally-racing pros can work their wild wizardry on the spectators at the German WRC rally, an army of unsung heroes – some 3,000 volunteer helpers – must perform their indispensable part first. They are responsible for setting up the various facilities ensuring a spectator-friendly and safe event and then disassemble all just as quickly. Before the full volunteer force is called to duty in August 2014, the organisers are busy planning and preparing.

Said ADAC Motor Sport President Hermann Tomczyk: “Without our volunteers not a single wheel would turn in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Many of the helpers have been with us for years and have enjoyed time and again investing their spare time into making the German WRC rally happen – first and foremost the member of the ADAC local clubs from all over Germany. Let me give them my sincere thanks at this point for their dedication – it is a fine example of true club spirit.

Planners have plenty of support

After the rally is before the rally. Planning for the 2014 season started only a few days after the conclusion of the 2013 rally Germany. To begin with, the ADAC regional club hosting the event, ADAC Mittelrhein – FW GmbH, had to draw up a comprehensive permit application. Attracting many thousands of spectators, the German WRC rally is a source of welcome additional income for the retail trade and hospitality industries in the region. Due to the international media cover-age it enjoys, it is also a prime publicity and advertising platform for the region.

The master theme – more safety

In the end-to-end preparations in the run-up to the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, safety has always been the top priority. To further improve on the exemplary standards the German WRC rally has established year after year for 2014, ADAC has launched a new spectator safety work group. A team of rally officials meets almost weekly. In special workshops, the Safety Officers and Spe-cial Stage Officials develop new training policies for preparing the volunteers for this essential task. The workshops also adopt specific measures for further optimising the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Always at their posts

Safety is a special responsibility for the approx. 2,000 volunteer Marshals of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The Marshals are members of ADAC local clubs from all over Germany. Being a Marshal requires some qualifications. In addition to holding Stewards Licences, Marshals must attend training courses to prepare for the special requirements of the WRC rally.

A Marshal’s main task is ensuring safety along the stages and in the spectator areas. During Special Stages, they report any irregularities to Rally Control. When accidents occur they call in support and administer first aid where needed and make the location safe for other drivers com-ing along the stage. Marshals charged primarily with spectator security have an eye on the pub-lic making sure everybody complies with security rules.

Indispensable local support

In preparing and running the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, ADAC enlists local support as a matter of policy. The towns along the itinerary are responsible for the organisation and furniture of spectator areas, car parks and catering to the spectators in their respective areas. These tasks are then usually assigned to local associations, groups or businesses.

For instance parking: ADAC Rallye Deutschland organiser rules require at least one car park for every spectator point. 100% of the parking fees go to the local towns, likewise any proceeds from public catering. Volunteering such services brings handsome and welcome revenue to the towns.

Excellent installation and removal teams:

A major event such as the ADAC Rallye Deutschland involves plenty of work for the volunteer installation and removal teams, usually recruited from the respective Stage Officials’ ADAC local clubs. Countless signs, miles and miles of cordon tape and a variety of other fencing must be taken to the specified points along the Special Stages, installed and then removed again.

On setting up spectator points and car parks, the volunteers work together closely with the land-owners and local helpers. Since the Special Stages and spectator points are all checked and furnished in compliance with environmental legislation and guidelines, the knowledge of various environmental and conservancy organisations is essential. When the last rally car is through, the installations are dismantled immediately and the materials are taken back to a central ADAC storage facility where everything is serviced and readied for the next rally.

Medical assistance in worst-case situations

For the duration of the rally, a large team of volunteer paramedics and doctors is on duty. As-signed to the various Special Stages in a leg, several ambulances and their doctor + paramedic teams will be stationed along the rally itinerary on each day. To further bolster the ADAC Rallye Deutschland medical infrastructure, mobile paramedics deploy on motorcycles. A rotorwing HEMS crew follows the lead cars from Special Stage to Special Stage.

In addition, a fleet of Medical Intervention Cars is stationed along the stages. These emergency assistance cars are manned by a doctor, a paramedic, a firefighter and, as the case may be, another attendant. Throughout the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, a specially trained Chief Medical Officer will coordinate the medical assistance teams from Rally Control at the Trier Park Plaza.