81 entries including 6 R5 rallye cars and 19 participants in the Opel Adam Cup. Those numbers surely are a promising start into 2018’s DRM season.
Over the last years the Saarland Pfalz Rallye has developed into one of the most challenging rallyes in the DRM (Deutsche Rallye Meisterschaft). This is due to the fact that in early March the weather plays a vital role. Sometimes the pilots have to face snowy roads that alternate with dry tarmac stages.
Local hero Marijan Griebel driving against 6 other competitors in Division 1 is already ambitious to give his best in order to achieve the best possible start into the new season. Among his rivals youngster Roman Schwedt in a Peugeot 207 S2000 can prove his talent by excelling the experienced drivers. For routinier Uwe Gropp this will be the second roll-out for his newly-built Citroen DS3 R5 after participating in Rallye Südliche Weinstraße as VIP car one week earlier. The Italian Simone Tempestini, title-contender Dominik Dinkel, Sebastian van Gartzen and Dirk Riebensahm round up the circle of top pilots.
But you must not forget the Opel Adam Cup where German talents like Max Schumann or Felix Griebel have to face a drivers‘ field of international challengers. Despite having identical cars some of them seem to top the times regularly. For many former drivers this cup has been a stepping stone into their rallye careers.
As a special attractive delicacy the spectators can expect Carsten Mohe in his infamous Renault Megane Maxi. Not only his car but also Hermann Gassner jr. and Patrick Gengler will put a smile on some faces by throwing their Toyota GT86 CS-R3 around the corners on the stages near St.Wendel. Close to the ceremonial start at the Schlossplatz the drivers have to complete the annual city stage winding through the narrow streets at night.
This rallye is definitely worthwile due to unforseen weather conditions and drivers on eye level in each Division.
