Pirelli supports young Rally Champions in Germany 16.08.2018: On Rallye Deutschland this weekend, Pirelli will equip a number of up-and-coming rally champions in the WRC2 class for the demanding and varied German stages with its latest P Zero RK asphalt tyres.

On Rallye Deutschland this weekend, Pirelli will equip a number of up-and-coming rally champions in the WRC2 class for the demanding and varied German stages with its latest P Zero RK asphalt tyres.



The challenge: Germany’s round of the World Rally Championship is made up of three distinct types of stages: narrow and winding roads through the Mosel vineyards, multi-surface tracks in the Baumholder military area and fast lanes in the Saarland countryside. With the changeable weather adding to the variety, tyres have to be versatile.



The Pirelli drivers: Joining the WRC2 field for his home event is Fabian Kreim, the two-time and reigning German rally champion. Backed by Skoda Germany, Kreim is currently leading the European Junior Under 28 championship with Pirelli, and aiming to follow in the footsteps of the 2017 champion and compatriot Marijan Griebel, who is undertaking his prize drive in a World Rally Car on Rallye Deutschland.



Pirelli’s support of young rally talent also includes its exclusive supply of the Junior WRC, for which the next and final round is in Turkey in September. In the meantime, beginning in Germany, Pirelli links up with the 2017 champion Nils Solans for the remainder of his campaign in a Ford Fiesta R5. Other Pirelli drivers in Germany include three-time European champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz, rising Italian star Fabio Andolfi and WRC debutant Albert von Thurn und Taxis.



The product: The P Zero RK is designed to offer good grip and directionality in a very wide variety of asphalt conditions: ideal for the demands of Rallye Deutschland. For R5 competitors, it’s available in a hard compound RK5 and medium RK7. For full wet conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato rain tyre is available, which is extremely efficient at evacuating water.



The rules: In Germany, the drivers are allowed to use up to 34 tyres during the event, with a separate allocation for the shakedown.



The event: Rallye Deutschland begins with a superspecial in St Wendel on the evening of Thursday 16 August. Friday focuses on the vineyard stages near Trier, while Baumholder features on Saturday. The rally ends on Sunday with the Power Stage close to the Bostalsee service park, after a total of 18 stages and 325.76 competitive kilometres.




Pirelli quote: Terenzio Testoni, rally activity manager: “Germany always provides a varied all-round challenge for the tyres with its combination of very different surfaces, changeable weather and demanding stages – some of which are also very long. Of particular interest this year is the appearance of several Pirelli-supported junior drivers getting their chance at the next level, underlining our traditional commitment to developing young talent.”





Anthony Peacock - photo Pirelli