ADAC Rallye
Deutschland

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is receiving a makeover for the 2013 season. For the first time since its introduction to the WRC calendar in 2002, this year's German event will begin in Cologne. The event will begin with a presentation of the championship's cars and drivers at Roncalliplatz, with Cologne cathedral providing a stunning backdrop.

On leaving the Domplatte square in Cologne, the rally's first special stage will commence near Blankenheim. Following this, the second special stage near Sauteral will be held on the evening of 22nd August, posing a unique night time challenge.

From there, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland heads towards its base city of Trier in Germany's wine-making Mosel district. The championship's three days in Germany are an asphalt rally like no other with each day of the event held on different types of sealed surfaces.

Since its inception in 2002, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland has been dominated by Sebastien Loeb. From his maiden victory on the first event, Loeb has won nine of the ten WRC events held in Germany. The Frenchman suffered a puncture in 2011 which handed first place to Loeb’s then Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier. However, Germany is not one of Loeb's events for 2013, meaning his formidable record will not be continued.

Loeb, world rally champion on nine occasions, has pointed to the need to maintain an extremely high level of concentration as the secret behind his recent successes, particularly in the Baumholder military training area, where giant boulders, known as hinkelsteins, line the route.

“It’s an absolute challenge,” Loeb admits. “There are some very fast sections, some extremely difficult passages, narrow and then wide asphalt roads and the surfaces are so varied. The stages in the Mosel vineyards require 100 per cent concentration and the satisfaction afterwards [when you get it right] is immense because the roads are so narrow.

“Then you have the Baumholder, which are unlike any other asphalt roads we know. There are rough, clean, wide and fast sections with gravel, mud and dust thrown in. Nowhere is it harder for a driver to find the right mix. If you want to win in Germany you have to be successful on these stages.”

One of the highlights of ADAC Rallye Deutschland in recent seasons has been the inclusion of the Circus Maximus superspecial stage, which runs through the centre of Trier, and marked the scene of ex-Grand Prix driver Kimi Raikkonen’s first stage victory in the WRC when the Finn went fastest of all in 2010.