Opel Corsa Rally Electric: Scandinavian Victory in French Alps

• Sixth round of ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” in France
• Calle Carlberg wins Rallye Mont Blanc Morzine and slightly extends lead
• Max Reiter takes second place ahead of Frenchwoman Sarah Rumeau

As at last year’s premiere, Rallye Mont Blanc Morzine in 2023 was once again the scene of exciting battles in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”. With his third win of the season, Calle Carlberg was able to pull away slightly from his pursuers at head of  world's first electric one-make rally cup. Asphalt event at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps also saw another tough duel between 23-year-old Swede and his rival Max Reiter (also 23, from Germany). After seven special stages over a total of 131 kilometres Carlberg took victory by 17.4 seconds.

After Carlberg, as always with father Torbjörn as co-driver, had won first three stages on Friday, a puncture on Scandinavians' Opel Corsa Rally Electric reshuffled cards around four kilometres from end of SS 5. But with a fantastic best time in 29.1-km-long stage on Saturday morning, Carlberg converted his 7.8 second deficit over Reiter and his co-driver Conny Nemenich into a lead of 14.5 seconds.

Carlberg defended his lead in the final, 20-km-long “Power Stage” and was beaming from ear to ear at finish in Morzine: “This win feels fantastic! We simply enjoyed the rally. That is the difference from last year: I have a lot of confidence in the cockpit, I am relaxed and I just look forward to every special stage. It is clear to me that there are still two tough rallies ahead of us and nothing has been decided in the title fight, but the trend is positive!”

In overall standings, two rounds before end of season, Carlberg is now 11 points ahead of Reiter, who is far from conceding defeat. “Rallye Mont Blanc was another beautiful event, maybe even a little more demanding than last year. We are still approaching everything calmly, having fun in car and we will try to shorten gap at the Rallye Stemweder Berg so that we can then hopefully turn things around in final round (WRC Central European Rally).”

After a strong performance, Sarah Rumeau and co-driver Julie Amblard finally celebrated their long-overdue first podium in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup at their home event. With second-fastest time on longest stage of rally, just 1.3 seconds behind Carlberg, 28-year-old once again demonstrated her enormous potential. “We finally did it,” said Rumeau happily. “Rally went great. We had a big fight with Max. Of course we would have liked to come second, as we were only two seconds behind before last stage. But when we hit a stone in Power Stage and feared a puncture, we decided to settle for podium place. It is nice that we are closer to top here again. And we are not done yet…” Just beaten by  fast ladies, Luca Pröglhöf/Christina Ettel and Christian Lemke/Stephan Schneeweiß finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Special guest: Miss France in Opel Corsa Rally Electric

To delight of teams and fans, Miss France 2021, Amandine Petit, paid a visit to Opel Service Park. She was chauffeured in Opel Corsa Rally Electric over demanding special stages of rally by Rumeau and first electric rally cup champion, Laurent Pellier. “Two days as a guest of ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup were an incredible experience,” beamed the 25-year-old. “I admit I was a bit nervous at first, but I quickly realised that Sarah and Laurent had everything under control. From then on I was able to enjoy spectacular rides in Opel Corsa Rally Electric.”

Seventh and penultimate round of ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” 2023 will take place on September 29/30 as part of  ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg around Lübbecke in Germany.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup (after 6 of 8 rounds):

1. Carlberg, 191 points.

2. Reiter 180.

3. Pröglhöf 126.

4. Rumeau 114.

5. Lemke 91.

6. Van Hoof 76.

7. Baur 72.

8. Gudet 46.

9. Mendoza 43.

10. Tarta 39.