Germany - 16-19 Aug 18

Stuart gets world championship call-up

Posted: August 15, 2018 12:53 PM

Glasgow co-driver Stuart Loudon will join world champion squad M-Sport Ford World Rally Team to compete at this week’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

Stuart was called in by highly-rated British driver Gus Greensmith after his regular co-driver Craig Parry was injured in a testing crash on Friday.

The pair will tackle the event, based close to the Luxembourg border, in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5.

Greensmith, 21, is running third in WRC2 – the feeder series for the main World Rally Championship – having taken podium finishes (including a brace of second places in Mexico and Argentina) from three of his first four starts this season.

Stuart said: “The first thing to say is that I wish Craig a complete and very speedy recovery from his injuries.

“Rallye Deutschland’s an event I’ve done three times before, so I’ve got a pretty good idea what it’s about. And I know the M-Sport Ford team quite well, I worked as a co-ordinator with them last season.

“On paper, Germany can look like a fairly straightforward event, using three different styles of road in the vineyards, country lanes and military testing tanks; it’s anything but straightforward. The grip level is changing all the time and the rhythm and pace of the roads can vary from corner to corner.

As well as working on M-Sport’s world championship-winning season in 2017 (when the Cumbrian firm dominated the WRC, taking the drivers’ (Sébastien Ogier), co-drivers’ (Julien Ingrassia) and manufacturers’ titles, Stuart has competed for the squad with Matthew Wilson.

“Co-driving at this level is something really special,” said Stuart, “and working with world champions is a fantastic privilege. I’m looking forward to co-driving Gus and being back with some familiar faces again.”

Stuart is currently in the middle of a pre-event recce with Gus. The recce involves driving each of the stages twice in a near-standard road car with speeds limited to 50mph. As they travel the rally roads, Gus will dictate a set of notes to Stuart describing the road including details on the length of straights and severity of corners. During the rally, Stuart reads those notes back to Gus, usually travelling at twice the speed they were doing during the recce.

Gus Greensmith’s statement on his accident:

“On Friday 10 August, Gus Greensmith and Craig Parry were completing their pre-event rest in the Baumholder military range when their car left the road during the morning. Subsequently, the crew had to be hospitalised. Gus has recently been discharged, whilst Craig remains in Trier hospital.”

Stuart’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland record… three starts, one finish 2011 with John MacCrone (Ford Fiesta R2)
“That event was me jumping in at the deep end: not only was it my first ever round of the World Rally Championship, it was my first ever overseas event. We were going well before we had a mechanical problem late in the second morning.”

2012 with John MacCrone (Ford Fiesta R2)
“Twelve months on from that WRC debut, I was back in Germany for a great memory – John and scored our first ever Junior World Rally Championship podium result with third place.”

2013 with Robert Barrable (Ford Fiesta R5)
“Really frustrating event for Rob and I this one. We retired with a mechanical problem on the first stage in the vineyards on the Friday morning.”

Citroen Racing - THREE RALLIES IN ONE IN TARMAC RETURN

Posted: August 15, 2018 12:51 PM

The ninth round of the season, Rally Deutschland, sees a return to tarmac after four rallies on gravel. Official Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT representatives Craig Breen – Scott Martin and Mads Ostberg – Torstein Eriksen will do battle with a route that presents a wide range of difficulties as they seek to build on their momentum from Finland.

STARKLY CONTRASTING ROADS

Rally Deutschland competitors face the not insubstantial challenge of performing well on three completely different types of road. This summer meeting, only the second of the season to be run entirely on tarmac, after Corsica, will begin with a day dominated by especially narrow and technically demanding special stages, in which competitors scale and then hurtle down the slopes of the Mosel vineyards. The Saturday will see the WRCs transform into “Panzers” or “tanks” as they pass through the most inhospitable of military bases, while the rest of the rally will be contested amid the fields of the Saarland, where the tarmac inevitably gets pretty dirty. Challenges aplenty, then, and complicated further still by the ever unpredictable weather, but the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT knows the ropes, as its twelve victories here since 2001 (including 11 in the WRC) attest. The team have endeavoured to pass that experience on to Craig Breen and Mads Ostberg, the two drivers competing in this year’s rally, not least during five days of intensive testing on a wide range of special-stage road profiles. Having finished fifth last year in a race that built to a crescendo and ended with a scratch time, the Irishman knows that, in the C3 WRC, he has a car that not only finished second at this venue last time around, but also clocked three fastest times in Corsica, allowing him to show his penchant for the surface. Meanwhile, galvanised by his recent feats in Finland, Mads Ostberg will be aiming to finish in the points, despite his lack of experience on tarmac in the French WRC car.

A TOUGHER FINAL DAY

Though the opening super-special stage on Thursday evening will now take place in St. Wendel, rather than Saarbrücken, the rest of the hostilities will more or less follow the traditional pattern. A few changes have been made here and there, however, including the return of the Stein Und Wein stage, which last featured in 2015, on the Friday, and the inclusion of the Grafschaft stage on the Sunday. This select 29.07 km route through the Mosel vineyards, which will be run twice, should make for a meatier final day of racing before the Bosenberg Power Stage, which also featured in 2015.

WHAT THEY SAID

Pierre Budar, Citroën Racing Team Principal

“After our podium finish in Finland, the aim will be to pick up where we left off and to show, as we did in Corsica, how good the C3 WRC is on tarmac. Of course, the weather will play a crucial role once again, but we have done our utmost to go into this meeting as well prepared as possible, with a big test session that covered the Mosel vineyards, the military base and the Saarland.”

Craig Breen

“I'm longing to get back on the tarmac. It’s been a year since I last competed in a 100% tarmac rally. The Saturday stage will definitely be decisive again, with the two runs through the Baumholder military base, but before that, I really hope more than anything that it doesn’t rain on Friday, so that we can start the race in ideal conditions, despite being a long way down the running order. Since our Germany tests at the start of the summer, I have had an extra day of testing in Alsace to get back into the habits you need to drive on tarmac, and I’ll be giving it my all to rediscover the joys of the podium.”

Number of appearances at the event: 3
Best result: 5th (2017)

Mads Østberg

“Except last year, I have competed in this rally every year since 2010, so I know the course pretty well and I have always enjoyed the variety of the stages, even though it makes things difficult! I will have to get to grips with driving on this surface again, but I know I can count on the team’s immense experience on tarmac and at this rally in particular. I have had two days of testing with the C3 WRC to work through all the road profiles I will be facing, so a top-five finish would be a good result for me.”

Number of appearances at the event: 7
Best result: 4th (2012)

KEY FIGURES

18 special stages, covering a total of 325.76 km
9th and 10th are Mads Ostberg and Craig Breen’s respective positions in the Day 1 running order, which may prove a handicap if it rains, on roads that are conducive to cutting corners and therefore tend to become soiled as the action progresses.
12 consecutive wins for Citroën at Rally Deutschland: Philippe Bugalski (not in WRC) in 2001 (Xsara WRC), Sébastien Loeb from 2002 to 2006 (Xsara WRC), and from 2007 to 2010 (C4 WRC), Sébastien Ogier in 2011 (DS3 WRC), Sébastien Loeb again in 2012 (DS3 WRC), and Dani Sordo in 2013 (DS3 WRC)

A RALLY, A CHALLENGE

The Baumholder military base, aka the Panzerplatte

Some of the timed sections featuring in the championship have acquired legendary status. The Panzerplatte is one of them. Running through the Baumholder military base, on concrete roads lined with hinkelsteins, imposing kerbstones normally used to keep tanks on the right track, this stage has often proved decisive in the past. Because of its length (38.57 km this year) and the nature of its surface, which is bumpy and particularly abrasive on the tyres, a great deal of driving skill is required to perform well and avoid getting a flat. And the task is made even more difficult by the fact that the road is rarely uniformly dry. While the Baumholder stage has been shortened by some three and a half kilometres this year, the super special stage known as the Panzerplatte Arena, which goes hand in hand with it, has seen its distance more than tripled to 9.43 km, and will thus be contested only twice, compared with three times in 2017.

CITROËN SECRETS

Guy Bottlaender, the team’s resident France Sports weather forecaster, shares his memories…

“I remember my first rally with the team back in 2003. It was in Germany, and Seb Loeb won it, beating Marcus Grönholm by 3.6 seconds after an epic battle. When it’s all dry or all wet, it’s ‘easy’. But that year, there were super-localised storms and the weather changed hugely from one stage to the next. Choosing the right tyres was sometimes a real headache, particularly as we didn’t yet have the forecasting technology we have today. Emotions were running high, but the result was particularly satisfying, and that was the start of my adventure with Citroën.It was also where I got the nickname 'Baumholder'!”

Toyota Yaris WRC returns to asphalt roads in Germany

Posted: August 15, 2018 12:38 PM

Following on from victory on its home gravel roads of Finland, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team travels to Germany with the aim of another strong performance on the varied asphalt stages of Rallye Deutschland (August 16-19). This is the first event on asphalt since Corsica in April, providing drivers Jari-Matti Latvala, Ott Tänak and Esapekka Lappi with the chance to demonstrate the continuing progress of the Toyota Yaris WRC.

The terrain on Rallye Deutschland is so diverse that it can be considered as three asphalt rallies in one: the twisting roads through the vineyards overlooking the Mosel river close to Trier, the fearsome Baumholder military training area with many different challenging surfaces, and the fast and narrow country lanes around the service park at the Bostalsee lake in the Saarland region. Tyre choice and car set-up can be further complicated by the often changeable weather conditions.

This year, the town of St Wendel hosts the start and the finish of the rally, including a super special stage to begin the event on Thursday evening. Friday begins with two stages around the vineyards before a spectator stage on the way back to the service park, with all three stages repeated in the afternoon. There are eight stages on Saturday, combining the famed Panzerplatte tracks on Baumholder with country lanes to the south. Sunday begins with a return to the vineyards for two runs over Grafschaft followed by the Bosenberg Power Stage close to the finish.

Quotes:

Tommi Mäkinen (Team Principal)
“We go to Rallye Deutschland with a good feeling. I believe that our pre-event test went very well. Generally, the Yaris WRC has shown good performance on asphalt so far, and we hope to continue that progress on this rally. Using the experience that we gained last year, there are things we have been able to improve in certain areas. Ott won in Germany last year so we know that he can be strong there, while both Jari-Matti and Esapekka won stages for us. As both of them found last year when they had punctures, the Baumholder roads can be very tough. Some other stages can be quite narrow and with dirt on the surface, it can be easy to make mistakes.”

Jari-Matti Latvala (Driver car 7)
“After Rally Finland I am feeling relaxed and I have a good feeling about Rallye Deutschland. I hope we can continue where we left off and maintain a good rhythm until the end of the year. I think our car should be good in Germany: last year we were already quite competitive there. I really enjoy the small country roads through the fields, which are narrow but fast, and the military area which also has some nice sections. We just have to be prepared for everything when it comes to the weather, because it can be very changeable.”

Ott Tänak (Driver car 8)
“We will go to Germany with a high target after our win in Finland. I want to take it event-by-event, try to get the maximum out of each rally and see whether we can get back into the championship fight. I enjoy Germany every year. I like the challenge of having many different kind of roads. We will need to keep an eye on the weather because when I won the rally last year, the tyre choice made a big difference. The Yaris WRC has been performing pretty well on asphalt so I hope we will have everything we need to fight for the top. We are feeling confident.”

Esapekka Lappi (Driver car 9)
“Rallye Deutschland is always such a challenging rally. Usually there is some rain and you often get different conditions during each day. This can make things tricky because there is a lot of corner-cutting and a lot of dirt on the road. It has been difficult for me in the past, but I actually really like the challenge. I’m looking forward to being back on asphalt, too. In Corsica we achieved a nice setup with the car and the speed was good. Germany is quite a different rally but hopefully we can repeat that.”

M-SPORT FORD READY FOR RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND

Posted: August 15, 2018 12:33 PM

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s fleet of EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs have been transformed into their aggressive Tarmac stance and are ready to tackle the sealed-surface stages of next week’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

The number one Fiesta will once again run the upgraded aero package as developed in partnership with Ford Performance, and all three crews are keen to deliver a strong performance as the FIA World Rally Championship makes a return to asphalt.

In the lead-up to the event, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans will also visit the home of the Fiesta when attending an employee event at Ford’s Niehl factory near Cologne.

Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“We’re aiming to be back challenging for the top positions at next week’s Rallye Deutschland, and I’m confident that we will be in a positon to do that. The Fiesta won the event last year, and the aim next week is to be in the fight for those top positions once again.

“Having won the event three times, Sébastien knows what it takes and Elfyn also has good form which will see him hunting a maiden podium on German soil.

“Teemu has a more difficult weekend ahead of him as this will be his first asphalt event behind the wheel of a world rally car – but it’s an important step in his career and I’m sure he’s looking forward to the challenge.”

RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND ASPHALT CHALLENGE

Rallye Deutschland is considered one of the FIA World Rally Championship’s most demanding asphalt events and its mixed terrain demands sharp reactions and the upmost focus.

Characterised by its variety, the event incorporates twisting roads through iconic vineyards, fast country lanes and broken asphalt on the notorious Baumholder military range.

The crews must master each change in rhythm and adopt the right set-up – and the right mind-set – for every variation. They must also rely heavily on their gravel crews to report any change to the condition of the stages and avoid even the smallest of mistakes.

Nowhere is that more true than on the military ground where dusty and slippery roads are lined with concrete blocks known as hinkelsteins. Designed to stop tanks, these hinkelsteins are to be avoided at all costs.

If that weren’t enough, unpredictable weather can make the going even tougher – bringing more dirt onto the road and producing treacherously slippery conditions. Anything from glorious sunshine to sudden thunderstorms can be expected next week, and then team must also be on top of their game when it comes to accurately predicting the weather patterns.

The event gets underway in the picturesque town of St. Wendal on Thursday evening and the 325.76 kilometres of competitive terrain are split into 18 special stages.

SOLANS AND PIRELLI MAKE A GOLDEN COMBINATION

Posted: August 15, 2018 12:31 PM

Crowned the 2017 FIA Junior World Rally Champion, Nil Solans secured one of the biggest prizes in motorsport and stepped up to the FIA World Rally Championship’s premier support series – piloting an EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5 in this year's WRC 2 category.

Taking the next step in his career, the young Spaniard has thus far contested five events behind the wheel of M-Sport’s most successful global rally car – gaining the vital knowledge and experience required to progress at this level whilst honing his natural talent and ability behind the wheel.

Tackling this week’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Solans’ Fiesta will be shod with Pirelli tyres – further highlighting the close links between the Italian tyre giant and M-Sport Poland who operate the Junior series from their state-of-the-art base in Krakow.

Both companies have long invested in some of motorsport’s most talented up-and-coming youngsters, and this latest collaboration further enhances that fact – commemorated with a golden livery in celebration of Solans’ championship success.

Solans will use Pirelli tyres for the remainder of the year and is keen to continue improving and learning as his season progresses.

Nil Solans said:

“I’m really happy that a company like Pirelli has put their confidence in me, and it’s very special to do an amazing rally like this alongside one of the most important tyre manufacturers in the world.

“For me, Rallye Deutschland is one of the most difficult and tricky Tarmac rallies on the calendar. The roads are really narrow with a lot of curbs and it becomes amazingly difficult when it’s wet.

“I really enjoy rallying on this surface, but Germany is always a challenge so let’s see what we can do. We’ve done a lot of gravel rallies recently and this will be my first time with the Pirelli tyres so we’ll need to push on during the test and learn as much as we can.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and think it will be a really interesting weekend.”

Junior WRC Manager, Maciej Woda, said:

“It’s nice to see Nil’s Fiesta R5 in golden colours – recognising his 2017 championship title. We already know his ability to be very competitive and with Tarmac being his preferred surface the whole Junior WRC team wishes him the best of luck on these tricky stages.”

Pirelli Rally Activity Manager, Terenzio Testoni, said:

“We’re delighted that Nil gets his chance on Rallye Deutschland with Pirelli tyres – which won the WRC 2 category on the last event in Finland. It underlines the emphasis at Pirelli of boosting the careers of young drivers. Being a rapid asphalt rally, Germany is of course a very different challenge, but the same need for total control and confidence remains.

“Pirelli is now the sole supplier to the FIA Junior World Rally Championship and we have been delighted to recently renew for another season in 2019. In this way, we can continue to help young drivers make progress in the sport – in an era where it becomes more and more difficult for up-and-coming talents to raise a budget."

Entry List

Posted: August 1, 2018 5:22 AM

Germany - 16-19 Aug 18 - ENTRY LIST

Rally Guide / Event Website

Posted: June 3, 2018 2:16 PM

Rally Germany