Ogier: Panzerplatte the key to success
Sébastien Ogier believes that this week's ADAC Rallye Deutschland will be won or lost on Saturday's quintet of Panzerplatte stages at the Baumholder military proving ground.
Ogier, the championship leader, was dominant on the rally's tank training roads last year, when he stretched his lead over Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala from 9.0sec to an untouchable 33.8sec.
In Trier before the action starts on Friday, Ogier said a repeat of his 2015 Germany win hinged on a good run at Baumholder.
"At the end of the day it is always in the military camp that the difference happens," he said.
"There, the tyre management is playing a major role and the puncture factor is there. Hopefully, we can stay out of this but it’s always a bit of a lottery to stay out of trouble and to avoid punctures.
"There is always a bit of fear for me to drive at this camp. Last year, I managed to win the rally there and to make a big difference."
Saturday's action on the military roads kicks off at 1017hrs with two passes of the 2.87km Arena Panzerplatte Super Special (SS8/SS9) followed by the marathon 40.80km Panzerplatte Lang (SS10). Both stages will be repeated in the afternoon.
