Comprehensive Eco Concept for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• Strictest water and soil protection policy at the Service Park
• Environmental Emergency Car: quick “first-responder” for the environment
• Useful eco tips for spectators at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

Munich/Trier, 14 August 2015 – The ADAC Rallye Deutschland shows that motor sport and environmental protection can make a good match. The German FIA WRC event offers both at the highest level: spectacular rally action with WRC pros like Sébastien Ogier or Thierry Neuville and an exemplary, effective environmental concept. The goal is clear: The natural environment in the rally region around Trier is to remain as intact as it was before the event. To ensure this again in 2015, the consideration of environmental concerns plays a key role in all aspects of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. As with regard to safety, ADAC is pursuing a multipronged approach concerning environmental protection – from rally planning via Rules and Regulations and specific structural measures on site, to information and appeals to the environmental consciousness of every single rally fan.

Environmental protection right from the first planning phase

Numerous experts join forces for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. A team of environmental experts appointed by ADAC is involved right from the first planning stages. They assess the envisaged itineraries, spectator areas and car parks, applying strict environmental criteria, and thereby contribute substantially to their advancement. This is also decisive in the procedure of obtaining official approval. To this end, the ADAC environmental experts are in close communication with the competent authorities and offices in the rally region. The main focus is on legally sensitive areas in terms of water and environmental protection. Where a section of the itinerary crosses a natural habitat, a separate expert opinion is required to prove that nature will not be harmed. As in the previous years, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland complies with all requirements in 2015 – a prerequisite for carrying out the rally in the first place. After the 2015 ADAC Rallye Deutschland, the environmental expert team will again inspect the areas concerned.

High standards for water and soil protection at the Service Park

Environmental protection is a particular priority at the Service Park Trier. The hub of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, where the teams perform maintenance work and such on their rally cars, is located on the Trier fairgrounds and, thus, immediately adjacent to the Mosel river. To be allowed the use of the Trier fair grounds next to the Mosel river at all, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland Rules and Regulations make specific provisions concerning water and soil protection, for instance that all liquid containers must be clearly marked and that impermeable sheets must be spread underneath whenever work is executed on a car. The Rules and Regulations also require the exclusive use of a designated and safe car wash area or the correct disposal of critical substances such as used motor oil or brake fluid.

Policy of short distances

Another environmental challenge at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland is its great drawing power and resulting traffic volume. Spectators come from all directions, and some of them move from one Stage to the next with the teams. To guide the streams of spectators as smoothly as possible and under environmentally optimal conditions, ADAC has always followed a policy of short distances in its spectator management: An effective visitor guidance system systematically leads the fans from motorways or extra-urban roads to the car parks and the spectator areas. For easier orientation, the paths in the maps handed out to all rally pass buyers are marked in the same colours as on site. In addition, the spectators are informed at short notice via the ADAC Rallye Hub and the RPR1.-Rallye-Radio station, should there be any congestions in the rally region after all. The ADAC Rallye Hub is available on-line at www.adac.de/rallyehub. There RPR1.-Rallye-Radio station will be broadcasting on the Eifel-Saar-Mosel regional frequencies (Trier: 102.9 FM; Mosel: 100.1 FM; Luxembourg/Saarland: 102.6 FM).

The Special Stages are subject to the same principle as the access and exit roads: the clear and unmistakeable marking of all paths. To this end, the installation and removal teams of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland have mounted some 7,700 notice and guidance signs this year. On the highly frequented Baumholder military range, courtesy shuttle buses will take spectators from the car parks to the spectator areas and back on Saturday, 22 August. The ADAC helpers will also set up special wooden stairs and bridges for the spectators to protect the edges of ditches and embankments on the military range against trampling. Where the integrity of habitats or the safety of humans might be threatened, the No Go Areas will play a decisive role. They are specifically signposted, and the safety personnel at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will strictly ensure that nobody enters them. When setting up and removing the paths, spectator areas and car parks, the helper teams will put a dense network of waste bins and sanitary facilities in place to further encourage eco-friendly behaviour among the spectators.

Quick “first-responder” for the environment

When the fans are in the spectator areas and the rally cars have hit the track, environmental protection at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland will not just stop: The Environmental Emergency Car will be on standby at each Special Stage to respond to unexpected incidents. For instance, in the event of a rally car crash posing a threat to the environment, the emergency vehicle can quickly provide environmental “first aid”. The vehicle will be manned by qualified personnel and equipped with the appropriate materials to absorb oil, brake fluid or coolant leaks. It will also be equipped to recover and dispose of contaminated soil.

Useful eco tips for spectators at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

Another component of the ADAC concept is to appeal to the rally fans’ environmental conscience. The various information media available for the 2015 ADAC Rallye Deutschland contain practical tips and how-to instructions to facilitate the most low-impact use of the environment and natural resources. Below is a listing of the most important how-to tips for ADAC Rallye Deutschland spectators:

Follow the spectator guidance system.

The signs and markings will take you to your destination car park or Special Stage efficiently and along the shortest route.

Use the free shuttle bus services on the Baumholder military range.

They will operate between the P1, P2 and P3 car parks and Panzerplatte on Saturday, 22 August 2015, from 8:00 to 20:30 hours.
Stick to the designated roadways and spectator areas. Stay out of No Go Areas.
Respecting the areas designated off-limits will keep you safe while the rally is on and habitats and other protected areas unspoilt.

Try not to generate waste.

Be mindful of unspoilt nature and make the task of our removal teams easier: take your trash back with you or use the trash bins that are in place. Give a good example to the other fans!

No smoking or open fires in the woods.

Smoking and lighting camp fires in the woods is strictly forbidden. During the summer months, there is an imminent threat of forest fires in the region.

Camp only on official camp sites.

Those who wish to camp will find numerous designated sites throughout the area. No camping/caravanning or motor home parking outside designated areas.

Use the sanitary facilities.

Some 200 portaloos are distributed along the rally itinerary and areas. You can be sure you will find one close to you. Take advantage of the sanitary facilities and do your share in keeping ambient water clean and ensuring public hygiene.