WRC 2 driver Jan Kopecký leads the 2017 ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• Super Special Stage Saarbrücken: Jan Kopecký wins spectacular opening stage
• 12,000 spectators generate fantastic atmosphere in city of Saarbrücken
• Great backdrop and celebrity guests in Tbilisser Platz, in front of State Theatre
• Shakedown in Eiweiler: Thierry Neuville goes fastest on warm-up for German WRC round

Munich. The 2017 ADAC Rallye Deutschland is underway. The German round of the FIA World Rally Championship has already produced several highlights on the opening day. The sporting highlight was a breath-taking first stage, which kept 12,000 spectators on the edge of their seats in the heart of Saarbrücken. The rally stars put on a display of precise drifting through the tight hairpins on the 2.05-kilometre city circuit, which twice took the competitors across the Wilhelm-Heinrich Bridge. WRC 2 driver Jan Kopecký (CZE) caused the first upset of the rally, clocking the fastest time of 2:05.9 minutes to put his Skoda Fabia R5 in first place, ahead of the massed elite of the WRC.

Ott Tänak (EST) was second fastest on the city stage, just 0.3 seconds slower than Kopecký. World champion Sébastien Ogier (FRA) ended the day in fifth place, 1.9 seconds off the lead. World championship leader Thierry Neuville (BEL) finished 2.7 seconds behind the stage winner in ninth place. Kris Meeke (GBR) was unfortunate: the Brit collided with a crash barrier on the narrow street circuit and was forced to pull over in his Citroën C3 WRC with a broken suspension. Because he was unable to complete the special stage, Meeke will start with a 10-minute penalty on Friday.

Prior to the spectacular opening stage, the official opening ceremony provided an opportunity to introduce all the competitors. The fans were able to experience the stars of the WRC up close and personal in Tbilisser Platz, and to collect a few autographs. A host of celebrity guests also took the opportunity to watch the start of the rally, including Heiko Maas (Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection), Charlotte Britz (Lord Mayor of Saarbrücken), Klaus Bouillon (Saarland Minister of the Interior, Building and Sport) and Hermann Tomczyk (ADAC Sport President).

In the morning, fans at the Shakedown stage in Eiweiler had enjoyed a successful warm-up ahead of the 21 special stages to come. In dry conditions, it was Thierry Neuville (BEL) who set the fastest time on his first run: the championship leader completed the 4.09-kilometre route to the west of the new service park at Bostalsee in a time of 2:25.8 minutes, just quicker than Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) in a Citroën C3 WRC and world champion Sébastien Ogier (FRA) in a Ford Fiesta WRC. Citroën drivers Kris Meeke (GBR) and Craig Breen (IRL) were fourth and fifth fastest. The quickest Toyota Yaris WRC was that of Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) in sixth place.

Standings after 1 of 21 special stages:

1. Kopecký /Dresler (CZE/CZE) Skoda Fabia R5 2m 5.9s
2. Tänak/Järveoja (EST/EST) Ford Fiesta WRC + 0.3s
3. Breen/Martin (IRL/GBR) Citroën C3 WRC + 1.3s
4. Mikkelsen/Jæger (NOR/NOR) Citroën C3 WRC + 1.9s
5. Ogier/Ingrassia (FRA/FRA) Ford Fiesta WRC + 1.9s
6. Latvala/Anttila (FIN/FIN) Toyota Yaris WRC + 2.2s
7. Evans/Barritt (GBR/GBR) Ford Fiesta WRC + 2.4s
8. Sordo/Martí (ESP/ESP ) Hyundai i20 WRC + 2.5s
9. Neuville/Gilsoul (BEL/BEL) Hyundai i20 WRC + 2.7s
10. Paddon/Marshall (NZL/GBR) Hyundai i20 WRC + 2.8s

Tickets still available on-site

Anyone who does not yet have a rally pass need not miss out on the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. The rally pass can be purchased in the ADAC regional offices in St Wendel and Saarbrücken. During the event, rally passes can also be purchased at the Bostalsee Service Park. There are several last-minute pass options for rally fans on site: For as little as EUR20, you can get the Special Stage pass, entitling you to visit one Special Stage. The price is the same for any Special Stage, except for the Arena Panzerplatte on the Baumholder military range, which offers a much more extensive programme than other Special Stages. A pass for the Arena Panzerplatte costs EUR25 on site. Admission to the Bostalsee Service Park is free every day of the event. All on-site ticket outlets can be found at www.adac-rallye-deutschland.de/uk/tickets/static/.

ADAC Rallye Deutschland information:

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland has a unique worldwide reputation. Its mix of hairpin stages in the vineyards, tough tracks on the Baumholder tank range and fast asphalt roads presents extreme challenges for both the teams and the drivers. Excellent driving skills and versatility are of the essence here. Diversity, high-class action and closeness to the fans are the ingredients that make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland such an attractive package for spectators as well. Year after year, this major event draws enthusiastic crowds from all over Europe, giving it a special, international atmosphere.