Rally radar from the 2018 ADAC Rallye Deutschland 19.08.2018: Eye-catching car leads the way: As well as the WRC powerhouses, fans along the rally route were also treated to spectacular photo opportunities courtesy of a very special zero car - the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

Eye-catching car leads the way: As well as the WRC powerhouses, fans along the rally route were also treated to spectacular photo opportunities courtesy of a very special zero car - the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.



At the wheel of the concept study for the FIA R-GT category was Porsche works driver Romain Dumas (FRA). The outing at the 2018 ADAC Rallye Deutschland provided Porsche with a tough test under practical conditions.

 


Thrilling finale to the 2018 eSports WRC season: The ADAC Rallye Deutschland was a feast of thrilling rally action, both on the tarmac of the Saarland region and in a virtual landscape: the best rally eSports gamers from Germany and around the world assembled in the Red Bull eGaming Center at the weekend.



Friday's Germany Final was won by Patrick Gerber, who was rewarded with a wildcard for the World Final of the eSports WRC powered by Hyundai. Jon Armstrong from Northern Ireland emerged triumphant in Saturday's final, the prize for which was a new Hyundai i10 Coupe.
 




Prominent guests at the German rally: Among the many people at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland were a number of well-known personalities. The event was opened on Thursday by Klaus Bouillon.



The Saarland Minister of the Interior, Building and Sport was one of the special guests at the Panzerplatte on Saturday and at the presentation ceremony in St. Wendel on Sunday.



On Friday, DTM champion René Rast was to be found marvelling at the performances of his fellow drivers on his first visit to a rally. German TV presenter Andrea Kaiser travelled to the Saarland region on Saturday to cheer on her husband, Sébastien Ogier.
 


ADAC committee visits rally: The members of the ADAC committee did not want to miss out on an opportunity to visit one of the largest motorsport events in Germany.



ADAC President Dr. August Markl was joined at the rally by Matthias Feltz (First Vice President), Thomas Burkhard (Vice President for Technology), Hermann Tomczyk (ADAC Sports President) and board member Lars Soutschka. The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is the ADAC's largest collective motorsport effort, with all 18 regional clubs involved.



 On Friday, ADAC First Vice President Matthias Feltz met representatives of local groups from ADAC Regionalclub Hessen-Thüringen (MSC Salzbödetal, KMC Kassel, RSC Rotenburg, MSC Holzhausen) to thank them, on behalf of the 3,000 volunteers at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, for their help and commitment.
 



Record starter at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland: Hermann Gassner senior celebrated a special anniversary at the German round of the World Rally Championship. The German rally driver made his first appearance at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland exactly 30 years ago and has been a permanent fixture in the start list ever since.



The multiple ADAC Rallye Masters champion (2006, 2013, 2015, 2016) has also remained faithful to one manufacturer: back in 1988 - as in 2018 - he tackled the German rally in a Mitsubishi. With 30 appearances to his name, the 59-year-old is the undisputed record holder at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.
 



Legendary photographer honoured: Maurice Selden was another who reached a major milestone at this year's ADAC Rallye Deutschland.



The Welsh photographer has followed the World Rally Championship since 1973, during which time he has taken countless spectacular photos. The German leg of the 2018 season is his 450th WRC event.



The FIA recognised this incredible achievement by presenting Selden with a commemorative plaque, signed by Sébastien Ogier, Ott Tänak, Mads Østberg and Dani Sordo.
 


Environment benefits from product debut: "Winners drive clean" was the motto, as the ADAC Rallye Deutschland provided the stage for a WRC first, courtesy of the company HJS: two Toyota GT86 with a particulate filter for gasoline engines (Motorsport Gasoline Particulate Filter, GPF) made their World Rally Championship debut.




The new technology allows optimal exhaust gas cleaning without compromising performance. As such, particulate filters, which are usually associated with diesel engines, are now finding their way into the top echelons of motorsport.




 
Rally stars up close and personal on all four days: The free AUTODOC Service Park was a real visitor magnet throughout the entire ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Many fans from around the world took advantage of the opportunity to watch the teams at work and to collect autographs.

Perfect weather conditions helped create a real festival atmosphere at the site on the banks of the Bostalsee lake, with fan shops, promotional stands, experience worlds, gaming opportunities, and a live concert on the Saturday evening.
 

- Peter Linke, photos ADAC  Sacha Dörrenbächer