Opel and ADAC extend partnership in Electric Rally Racing

• New sub-brand, new name for cup: ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”
• Opel as a pioneer: First electric one-make rally cup enters its third season

Opel has reaffirmed its commitment to world's first electric one-make rally cup, previously known as ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, which has been renamed and will be called ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe". Like Opel's future, the brand's motorsport activities are electric. That is why name of new sporty sub-brand GSe (Grand Sport electric) can now also be found in title of electric racing series. ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe" will also be even more international in the 2023 season: A total of eight events in four countries (Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland) are on the calendar. In addition, Opel and ADAC have extended their existing agreement until 2024.

“Opel and the ADAC created world's first electric one-make rally cup together. This pioneering spirit has set a powerful and important example in international rallying. We will continue and further develop this innovative racing series together – in line with our sporty GSe top models and our strategy of becoming a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

“Innovative concept of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is a prime example of how to successfully combine work with young talents and electric motorsport. ADAC is a pioneer for more sustainability in motorsport, and with early extension of our cooperation with Opel we are sending a strong signal for electrifying rallying,” added ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser.

Rüsselsheim-based carmaker and Europe's largest automobile club have been cooperating in motorsports for over a decade and, in addition to the successful one-make cup projects ADAC Opel Rallye Cup and ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, this partnership has also produced ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. Junior Team represents the second pillar of joint talent development programme – and has an impressive track record. In 2022, Laurent Pellier celebrated fifth title for ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team in FIA Junior ERC Rally Championship (JERC) in Opel Corsa Rally4. One year earlier, Frenchman was crowned first ever champion of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup.

"Cooperation between ADAC and Opel is a prime example of successful talent promotion," said Jrg Schrott, head of Opel Motorsport. “Both partners share a common philosophy and strategy. Around 120 drivers from 19 nations have taken their first steps in professional rallying since 2013 season in ADAC and Opel one-make cups. Best of them made it into ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and caused a real stir at European level. Five JERC driver titles by Emil Bergkvist, Marijan Griebel, Chris Ingram, Mārtiņš Sesks and Laurent Pellier speak for themselves. I am pleased with early extension of our agreement. It gives the participants and teams more planning security.”

One of several highlights on 2023 racing calendar is the season finale at the Central European Rally around Passau, where cup participants will compete in their 100 kW/136 hp battery-electric Opel Corsa Rally Electric as part of FIA World Rally Championship. At same time, the 2022 Cup Champion Timo Schulz will try to follow in Laurent Pellier's footsteps in Opel Corsa Rally4 in Junior European Championship.

Dates ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe"

May 5/6                    ADAC Rallye Sulingen                                                        D

June 2/3                   Rallye du Chablais, Aigle                                                   CH

June 17/18               Rallye du Vosges Grand-Est, Gérardmer                           F

July 14/15                 Rallye Weiz                                                                       A

Aug 18/19                 ADAC Saarland-Pfalz Rallye, St. Wendel                        D

Sept 1/2                    Rallye Mont-Blanc, Morzine                                             F

Sept 29/30                ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg, Lübbecke                      D

Oct 27 to 29             Central European Rally, Passau                                      D/A/CZ

Dates Junior European Rally Championship 2023

19.-21.05.                 Rally Poland, Mikołajki                                                     PL

16.-18.06.                 Rally Latvia, Liepāja                                                         LV

06.-08.07.                 Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Karlstad                               S

28.-30.07.                 Rally di Roma Capitale, Fiuggi                                          I

18.-20.08.                 Barum Czech Rally Zlín, Zlín                                           CZ

06.-08.10.                 Rally Hungary, Nyíregyháza                                             H