Preparations for ADAC Rallye Deutschland in full swing

• Interview with Clerk of the Course Alfred Rommelfanger about the German WRC event

Munich/Trier, 31 July 2014 – The countdown has started: Only a few more weeks until the heart of the rally world will beat in Germany again. The Rallye Deutschland will take place in the greater Trier area from 21 to 24 August 2014. The German stint of World Champion Sébastien Ogier, as well as Mikko Hirvonen, Robert Kubica, Thierry Neuville and the other WRC stars will be a thrill not only for rally fans but also for Clerk of the Course Alfred Rommelfanger. The 58-year-old will be responsible for the 2014 FIA WRC German event, just as he was last year. In our interview he told us about the preparations for this year’s rally and its highlights.

Mr Rommelfanger, what is the status of the preparations for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland?
“Advance planning and coordination are complete – no worries there. The final preparations are already in full swing and the clarification of details is progressing nicely. The organisation team is currently active on several levels – from the communication with the rally teams to operational planning for everyone involved. The “hot phase” will begin a few days before the rally, when we move into our mobile rally headquarters in Trier.”

What’s in store for the fans attending the ceremonial start at the Porta Nigra in Trier?
“The show start in Trier will be a spectacular event for young and old alike. The sight of the rally cars in front of the ancient Roman gate will be a highlight with a unique atmosphere. This year’s support events will start with an autograph signing session, giving spectators the opportunity to get even closer to the stars. All the top drivers will be there for the fans at Hauptmarkt in Trier from 19:00h to 19:30h. At around 20:30h, the German national anthem will usher in the official part of the event at the Porta Nigra. Then the participants will roll onto the show start podium with their cars in reverse order of WRC standings and each one of them will be briefly introduced. So, the top drivers will be there after sunset, in the Porta Nigra spotlights. That will make great pictures. The teams of the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup will conclude the ceremony. By the way, attendance is free at the show start.”

What is new in this year’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland?
“There will be two major firsts this year. We’re looking forward to the completely new Waxweiler Special Stage on Friday. It will take the teams on a demanding and selective course through the hilly Eifel landscape. As this stage runs close to the Belgian border, we expect many fans of Thierry Neuville to be there, since he is originally from the area. The Baumholder military range has the second major first in store for us on Saturday: In addition to the legendary Panzerplatte Special Stage, which will again extend over more than 40km this year, there will also be a Sprint test there.”

What exactly can the fans look forward to at the Baumholder military range?
“They will be treated to a whole day of maximum rally action. We have laid out the Sprint test along a route that will afford spectators a good view over nearly its entire length of approx. 3km. Both the Sprint and the long Panzerplatte Special Stage will be run twice – in the morning and again in the afternoon. The Panzerplatte-Turm spectator area is right next to the start and finish line. This means perfect conditions for the fans to watch the rally elite several times and up-close without having to move to another spectator area – that’s unique in international rallying.”

What can you tell us about the support events at the Panzerplatte?
“Actually, there will be something going on all the time on Saturday – even when there are no rally cars to watch there. There will be many fan activities, mainly involving ADAC partners. For instance, there will be a Red Bull show. Volkswagen will set up a full-fledged Panzerplatte TV studio again – with celebrity guests, live cameras and a live feed onto a giant video screen.”

What else has been done to enhance the spectator experience even more?
“This year, we have again undertaken great efforts to make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland even more attractive for visitors. Take the new Michelin shuttle busses, for instance, which will operate courtesy of ADAC, the FIA and Michelin. They will take the fans from the Trier Service Park to the most attractive spectator points. This service is free for spectators holding valid rally passes. Plus, this is an opportunity for fans arriving without personal transport to get to Special Stages situated out of reach from bus stops or railway stations. Moreover, we have revised our information to make it even more spectator-friendly.”

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is known for its exemplary safety concept. What improvements have been made for 2014?
“The safety of participants, helpers and spectators has always been our top priority. We have been active on various levels to further advance the safety aspect this year. For instance, we have set up a task force for spectator safety, which has worked out, adopted and implemented new measures. They include include a video featuring Thierry Neuville, in which the WRC star explains to the spectators what they should do to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way. You can watch the clip at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland.
Speaking of which, we have also revised signs and information media: New pictograms now show at a glance what is allowed and what isn’t. Plus, there are many other elements by which we intend to sharpen everyone’s awareness, which is indispensable when it comes to safety.”

What further highlights are there for the spectators, in addition to the new elements?
“Every Special Stage has its own attractions. This diversity is what makes the ADAC Rallye Deutschland so fascinating. For instance, there is the spectacular sight of the rally cars speeding through the vineyards or the sections along the Moselle with their unique panorama – those are highlights found only here. Of course, another attraction for young and old alike is the Service Park in Trier, where they can get very close to the teams and stand a good chance of obtaining autographs from the stars.”

Do you have an insider tip for the fans?
“The Konz Shakedown on the Thursday before the rally has attained something like cult status. Here, you can see the top drivers, i.e. the P1 and P2 drivers, several times, because according to the Rules and Regulations, they have to complete the track at least twice. For fans from the Hochwald region, the Regrouping at Bilstein has become a highlight since 2011. The pitstop at the Bilstein factory in Mandern on Saturday has a festival-like atmosphere.

Last year, you were Clerk of the Course for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland for the first time. What insights did you gain for 2014?
“Well, I wasn’t exactly a rookie in 2013. I have been involved with this rally for a very long time and I am familiar with the tasks at hand and the particulars from other executive positions. We are talking about a continuous process: Our aim is to keep on developing the ADAC Rallye Deutschland each year. Only a well-organised team like ours can make that happen. We’re all working together to make the 2014 ADAC Rallye Deutschland another success.”

Get your tickets now!
The pre-sale for the 2014 ADAC Rallye Deutschland is in full swing. Rally passes are now available for €69 (€64 for ADAC members) under “Tickets” at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland. Along with the pass, you can pre-order the official rally magazine at an extra €5.

Rallye passes in detail:
In 2014, the rally pass will once again be the flat rate ticket to four action-packed days at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. It provides access to all spectator areas along the Special Stages, to the Shakedown and to the Service Park. There, rally fans are right in the middle of it all, watching the teams at work and admiring the rally drivers.

The pass includes:
– All Special Stages on all days
– Access to the Service Park on all days
– Access to the Shakedown on Thursday
– A spectator map providing all the essential information about the rally
– An ADAC Rallye Deutschland pass lanyard
– An ADAC Rallye Deutschland sticker

Now available! The official magazine of the 2014 ADAC Rallye Deutschland
To put your anticipation of the German rally spectacular into overdrive, the official magazine of the 2014 ADAC Rallye Deutschland is out. On 100 pages full of action it brings to life the German WRC rally. Everything you want to know about the drivers, teams, itinerary, spectator point and 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 magazine is now available for €5 at www.adac-rallye-deutschland.de and www.adrenalin-verlag.com. During the event, it will be available at the on-site ticket offices, info points and Special Stages of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland (21 to 24 August 2014).