Munich/Trier – For the team principals, the German WRC run represents a new phase in the WRC calendar. The ADAC Rallye Deutschland (14 to 17 August) is an asphalt rally. How well are the gravel specialists going to do on smooth surfaces? Which car can make the most of asphalt? Two very interesting questions indeed. As the next three WRC rallies are all asphalt events, the answers will provide decisive clues in the contest for the WRC title.
“Asphalt is not the surface of choice for our Finns”, sais a cautious Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson, immediately drawing fire from his Focus ace Mikko Hirvonen: “Of course, the gravel gene dominates the ego of Finnish drivers. But having modified our asphalt sensors considerably over time, we Scandinavians do not fear any fight on this surface which can be quite treacherous in the wet German summer.”
Nevertheless, the Scandinavian faction including Hirvonen, Latvala, Solberg & Co hopes for dry, not too hot weather. Sais Norway’s Petter Solberg: “When the mercury tops 25°C, the Pirelli tyres we all drive are in for a beating on the extremely rough Baumholder asphalt. The risk of a flat rises exponentially.” Citröen principal Olivier Quesnel does not mind the rain around Trier at all. Actually, for him weather conditions are absolutely secondary. He need only quote the six German victories of his top driver Sébastien Loeb – which he does with a big smile.
When it comes to Germany, the principals of Citröen, Ford, Subaru or Suzuki agree about two things. Germany is the world’s most important automotive market and a win in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland carries more weight than one elsewhere. Subaru principal Richard Taylor sums it up: “The automotive world looks to Germany and, these days, a triumph there puts a team halfway through the season.”
The second point of agreement is human rather economical: 87 teams from 25 nations have entered the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Everybody looks forward to the friendly atmosphere, the wine, the homemade fare and the impressive history of the Moselle and Trier. And starting in the shadow of the Porta Nigra is a unique and inspiring moment in itself.
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