Two new women's teams in ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2024

• French Motorsport Federation continues its promotion of young talent 
• Two FFSA women's teams take up challenge in Opel Corsa Rally Electric 
• Talents Emma Chalvin and Alizée Pottier are at beginning of their careers

French motorsport association FFSA (Fédération Française de Sport Automobile) is consistently continuing its promotion of young female rally drivers in ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe". In 2024 once again, two all-female teams will challenge their male opponents in world's first electric rally brand cup, following in footsteps of their successful predecessors Sarah Rumeau/Julie Amblard and Cindy Gudet/Jeanne Rey. With Alizée Pottier (23) and Emma Chalvin (22), FFSA is filling its two Opel Corsa Rally Electric cars with two promising rally talents who are still at beginning of their motorsport careers.

Alizée Pottier lives in Champfleur, a small town in Département Sarthe around 50 kilometers north of Le Mans, where she runs a communications and coaching agency. It was only two years ago that Alizée switched from rallycross to rallying and took her first steps as a co-driver before taking wheel herself for first time. Her co-driver Lou Murcia is only 26 years old, but has ten years of experience in rallying under her belt.

Emma Chalvin comes from Les Deux Alpes, a winter sports resort in Département Isère around 70 kilometers southeast of Grenoble. Like the first champion of  ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, Laurent Pellier, Emma works as a ski instructor during winter months. She also gained her first motorsport successes in rallycross. Her co-driver is Emy Ailloud-Perraud, with whom she already competed in her first rallies last year.

"Last year we were very impressed by consistency and professionalism with which FFSA promotes young talent," says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott. "Cindy and Sarah with their co-drivers were a real enrichment for ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, both in terms of motorsport and character. I am convinced that Emma and Alizée will exactly follow up to their two predecessors. FFSA is an important and pleasant partner for us, and I am very pleased to be able to continue and intensify this cooperation. We are all excited to see how Emma, Emy, Alizée and Lou will perform in Opel Corsa Rally Electric, but I am sure that the boys will have to wrap up warmly."

Fourth season of ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe" starts on the first weekend in May with  ADAC Rallye Sulingen. Eight events are scheduled, including three in France and one each in Netherlands and Austria. As last year, season finale will be held as part of Central European Rally, new World Rally Championship round with special stages in Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.

Opel Focusses on Rally Sport with ADAM R2 and next Corsa R2

• Great tradition: Opel stays loyal to motor sport
• European Rally Championship: Next Opel Corsa as R2 available at end of 2020

Opel ADAM R2 

Opel remains loyal to its long and successful history in motor sport. The German brand will compete again on national and international rally stages during the coming season.

In 2019 Opel Motorsport aims to claim its fifth successive victory in the European junior rally championship for drivers up to 27 years of age, which has now been officially renamed the FIA ERC3 Junior Championship. One of the 190hp ADAM R2 cars entered by Opel technology-partner, Holzer Motorsport, will be driven by Swede Elias Lundberg (20), who secured the drive in the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team by winning last year’s ADAC Opel Rallye Cup. A second car will be piloted by Grégoire Munster from Luxemburg (20), who finished second to Lundberg in last season’s Rallye Cup, taking three victories.

With 130 participants from 18 countries, Europe’s most successful brand rally trophy has offered a professional platform for young drivers since 2013, bringing eight young talents into the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team.

“We have been making cars for 120 years and motor sport has always formed Opel’s image – it should stay that way,” said Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller. “Two aspects are particularly important to us – the fascination with technology and approachability for fans and customers. 

The promotion of young drivers is also high on our agenda. The combination with the long established structure at PSA Motorsport opens great additional opportunities for us.”

For the 2021 season, Opel will thus develop an R2 car based on the next Corsa for the European championship, as well as for international customer sport. The technical details of the Corsa R2, which should become available for private teams at the end of 2020, will be announced at a later date. The sixth generation of the bestselling Corsa, which comes onto the market this year, will form the basis of the rally car.

Opel will continue to support the ADAC Rallye Cup in 2019 with the 140 hp Cup-version of the ADAM and with the attractive proposition of a spares package for the next season for the winner. Opel will also offer all Cup participants an on-site technical and logistics service plus a starter-pack for new entrants.

!NEW! Opel Rallye Junior Team Sets Ambitious Goals for Asphalt Festival in Belgium

• Kenotek Ypres Rallye marks start of second half of FIA ERC Junior season
• Emil Bergkvist wants to defend his lead in the FIA ERC Junior in Ypres
• Marijan Griebel banking on his and the Opel ADAM R2’s outstanding asphalt qualities

Frontrunner: Emil Bergkvist wants to impress with his ADAM R2 in Belgium and tighten his grip on the overall lead of the FIA ERC Junior.

From the gravel of the Azores to the asphalt of West Flanders – the Kenotek Ypres Rallye marks the start of the second half of the FIA ERC Junior season. The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team has an ambitious approach to the decisive phase of the strongest junior championship in Europe. Swede Emil Bergkvist (21, from Torsåker) is currently leading the FIA ERC Junior in his Opel ADAM R2 after celebrating two wins in the first three races of the season. His German team-mate Marijan Griebel (26, from Hahnweiler) has been unlucky so far, failing to finish for the second time this season in his last appearance in the Azores. However, thanks to the scoring system, he still has every chance of moving up the rankings. Only four of the six races of the FIA ERC Junior are taken into consideration for the final points tally.

Ambitious goals: Marijan Griebel wants to make up for not finishing in the SATA Rallye and is targeting a podium finish in Ypres.

“I know the Ypres Rallye from last year and know exactly what to expect,” said Griebel, who along with his co-driver Stefan Clemens (28, Thailen) has set himself ambitious targets for the trip to Belgium. “I like the stages and they should be well suited to me. The competition is probably going to be a lot stiffer than last year because the level in the FIA ERC Junior is so high this year. However, the entire ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team is well prepared and we know that we have a fast car, especially on asphalt. I want a podium finish in Ypres!”

The drivers of the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team have demonstrated their potential on asphalt on numerous occasions in the past, most recently when securing a one-two finish at the Rallye Ireland and at the Rallye Wervik in Belgium, which both Bergkvist and Griebel used for preparation for the Ypres Rallye.

Leading duo: Emil Bergkvist and his co-driver Joakim Sjöberg are currently leading the pack in the overall standings of the FIA ERC Junior.

Bergkvist and his co-driver Joakim Sjöberg (29, from Ösmo) realize that they will be facing a real test. “Marijan will be very strong in Ypres,” said the current championship leader who turned 21 on June 17. “I am looking forward to a great rallye and a new challenge. We dropped some points in the Azores but we are determined to fight for a place on the podium in Ypres. We all realize that is will be tough in this very strong field. However, since Ireland at the very latest we know that our ADAM R2 can win on asphalt if we all do a good job. I obviously want to defend my overall lead, but in this strong field that will only be possible if I attack – and that is what I plan to do.”

Two customer ADAM R2s will also be competing in Ypres, with Julius Tannert and his Luxembourgian co-driver Jennifer Thielen along with Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux racing under the Opel colors.

The first stage of the Ypres Rallye, which in total consists of 17 demanding stages covering 253 kilometers, will start on Friday (June 26) at 16:15 CEST and end at 22:30 CEST. The following day, the action will start at 10:20 CEST and end at 22:30 CEST. Opel offers live timing on the website www.opel-motorsport.com.

The Ypres Rallye on TV:

Friday, June 26
00:00               Eurosport                    Training and preview

Saturday, June 27
00:15               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 1

Sunday, June 28
00:00               Eurosport                    Highlights Day 2
08:00               Eurosport 2                 Highlights Day 2 (repeat)

Tuesday, June 30
23:00               Eurosport                    Inside ERC – The Magazine

!NEW! ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team Maintains ERC Lead

• Opel works driver Emil Bergkvist solidifies his FIA ERC Junior lead in the Azores
• Defect at end of race robs Marijan Griebel of deserved result for top performance
• ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team confident for next FIA ERC Junior rounds

Lead defended: Opel factory driver Emil Bergkvist finished fourth in his ADAM R2 on the Azores and defended his overall FIA ERC Junior lead.

Motorsport can be ruthless. This proved all too true for the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team drivers on the last day of the SATA Rallye Acores. First, Emil Bergkvist (20, from Torsåker) and co-driver Joakim Sjöberg (29, from Ösmo) ran into trouble. At the third-to-last stage of the third round of the FIA ERC Junior, the Swedes were in an excellent second place when suddenly their Opel ADAM R2 was left with only the first and second gears. This was the end of all podium-finish dreams for the two-time season winners and ERC leaders, and their new goal was now to limit the extent of the damage.

And Bergkvist/Sjöberg achieved this goal, bringing the Opel ADAM R2 through the last two stages and across the finish line in Ponta Delgada in spite of a flat tire during the last kilometers. This landed the two Scandinavians in fourth place, consolidating their overall lead at the mid-way point of the FIA ERC Junior 2015 season. Heading to the next round in three weeks in Ypern, Belgium, their lead over the Azores winner Chris Ingram is now 24 points. And as only the best four of the six FIA ERC Junior rounds results count while the two weakest are discounted, the current rankings are only of temporary significance.

“I have mixed feelings about the rallye,” said Bergkvist. “Even under these difficult conditions, we were again very fast with our Opel ADAM R2. Of course we would have liked to take second place, but that wasn’t meant to be. That is motorsport. But at least we made it over the finish line and scored valuable points with fourth place. We are still leading the FIA ERC Junior with a solid advantage over our closest competitor. Now we will focus on what’s ahead and will again go into the next FIA ERC Junior races in full attack mode.“

Teammates Marijan Griebel (26, from Hahnweiler) and his co-driver Stefan Clemens (28, from Weiskirchen) had even worse luck. Following a great performance that put them in fourth place going into the final stage of the challenging gravel rallye on the Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic, they had to deal with a defect on their Opel ADAM R2. Because they were able to cross the finish line but not get back to the parc fermé in Ponta Delgada on their own, Griebel and Clemens were excluded from classification. A highlight and small consolation was their impressive best time in the over 20-kilometer long stage 13.

Thwarted: Marijan Griebel and his co-pilot Stefan Clemens put on a strong display but a defect prevented them from reaping the rewards. 

Griebel also had very mixed feelings about the rallye: “Yesterday everything went really well and in today’s rankings we even reached second - with one of the few cars that didn’t have any visible exterior damage. We had a lot of fun, we were full of confidence, up until then the Opel ADAM R2 was fantastic. Everything would have been perfect. And then two kilometers before the finish line of the final stage, we lost power. We knew right away that we wouldn’t be able to make the 60 kilometers back to Ponta Delgada. So now we have to shake it off and keep fighting. We have a fast car that can compete on all surfaces and we have good drivers. This is what we want to prove again in Ypern.”

The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team drivers don’t have a lot of time to relax. This Saturday (June 13), Griebel/Clemens and Bergkvist/Sjöberg are racing in the Rallye Wervik in Belgium with their Opel ADAM R2s. They are using this test run to prepare for the fourth round of the FIA ERC Junior, the Kenotek Ypres Rallye from June 25 - 27. The event around Ypern in West Flanders takes place on asphalt.

!NEW! Strong International Interest in ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2015

• ADAC Opel Rallye Cup starts its third season next weekend (March 6/7)
• Participants from nine countries to battle for Europe’s toughest rallye Cup
• Promotion to Opel works team and ERC entry beckons for juniors

High-flyer: The third edition of the successful ADAC Opel Rallye Cup will start on March 6.

On March 6 and 7, the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup begins its third season with the Saarland-Pfalz Rallye. The series for young driving talent has already generated massive international interest and a strong field of 20 teams drawn from nine countries will battle for points in the fight for the 2015 title, confirming the Cup’s status as the most successful rallye competition in Europe. The make-up of the starting line-up promises thrills aplenty: ten experienced Cup drivers are up against ten ambitious newcomers, while the field is more international than ever before, with 40 percent of drivers and co-drivers from European countries outside of 

Germany. And with the Finnish duo of Laura Suvanto/Reeta Hämäläinen and the German-Austrian pairing of Melanie Schulz/Elke Aigner, the starting line-up boasts two all-female teams for the first time. Belgian Yannick Neuville, younger brother of Rallye World Cup star Thierry Neuville, made a strong impression with consistently fast times during his debut season last year and is one of the favorites this season.  

Female touch: Melanie Schulz and her co-pilot Elke Aigner will form one of two all-female teams this years. 

The 2015 Cup schedule offers a tough challenge across a series of rallyes with different characteristics. New events include the season-opener at St. Wendel and the Thüringen Rallye. Opel’s ’home event’, the Rallye Wartburg, will be among the highlights, with its main service area located directly in front of the Opel Eisenach plant. And, of course, participation in the prestigious ADAC Rallye Deutschland, part of the World Rallye Championship, will be a special season highlight for the teams.

While well-proven technology, based around the 140 hp Opel ADAM Cup car, enters its third season unchanged, the sporting regulations were tweaked during the winter break. All participants will now be able to compete for the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup title regardless of age. However, with its own rankings and prize money, the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Cup remains exclusively for young drivers born in 1988 or later. The season prize money fund has been substantially increased this year and now totals around 120,000 euros. The scoring system has also been modified. The first three finishers in each rallye will collect 35, 27 and 21 points, instead of the previous 30, 24 and 20. The driver who wins the most stages in a rallye will also earn an additional five bonus points. The so-called ’Power Stage’, a special leg declared by the organizer of each rallye, now brings the top three finishers three, two and one bonus points.

Fast rallye brothers: Belgian WRC star Thierry Neuville (on left) give Opel ADAM pilot Yannick Neuville some valuable advice for the upcoming season

At the end of this season, the best junior drivers have the unique opportunity to take part in a special screening to qualify for promotion to the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team and drive the 190 hp Opel ADAM R2 on the international rallye circuit with a focus on the FIA ERC Junior in 2016.

“There are many good reasons to join the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup and we will do everything in our power to keep it that way,” says Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott. “The composition of this year’s starting line-up shows that our concept of combining top-class technology with a professional platform, all at an affordable cost, is working very well. The idea of providing long-term and successful promotion of young driving talent has proven to be very appealing. The popularity of this approach is both a confirmation of its success and also a responsibility for us to maintain. I’m looking forward to an exciting ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2015 season.”

Calendar ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2015

March 6 - 7                    ADAC Saarland-Pfalz Rallye, St. Wendel
April 17 - 18                  ADAC Hessen Rallye Vogelsberg, Schlitz
May 15 - 16                   S-DMV Thüringen Rallye, Pößneck
August 7 - 9                  ADAC Cosmo Rallye Wartburg, Eisenach
August 20 - 23              ADAC Rallye Deutschland (Doppellauf), Trier
September 4 - 5            ADAC Ostsee Rallye, Grömitz

October 23 - 24             ADAC 3-Städte-Rallye, Kirchham

!NEW! ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team Ready to Rumble

Second season of ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team with ADAM R2

Six EC races and ADAC Rallye Deutschland world championship race

Winning formula: The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team wants to repeat last season’s success with the ADAM R2. 

From Latvia’s snow over Northern Ireland’s asphalt to the Azore’s gravel roads – the junior European Rallye Championship (FIA ERC Junior) 2015 calendar covers the entire spectrum of challenging racing surfaces. The best rallye drivers born in 1988 or later are set to prove themselves in Europe’s toughest young talent league in vehicles from the RC4 category, also known as R2. The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team with two Opel ADAM R2 cars driven by Marijan Griebel and Emil Bergkvist are ready for the action to start.

Junior team: Marijan Griebel (right) and co-pilot Stefan Clemens (left) hope to get off to a successful start to the 2015 European Rallye championship in their Opel ADAM R2.

The competition is fully aware of the enormous potential of the 190 hp ADAM R2, and not just since Griebel’s outstanding second-place finish at the Barum Rallye in the Czech Republic last year. Griebel is accordingly optimistic before the season starts in Latvia: “In spite of the early start, we are going into the second season of the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team well prepared. Last year’s results show that we can hold our own against the competition in the ERC Junior. In the last months, we further developed not only the ADAM R2, but also ourselves as a team.”

Swedish duo: Emil Bergkvist (right) and his co-pilot Joakim Sjöberg (left) after looking forward to the start of the 2015 FIA Junior European Rallye Championship.

Emil Bergkvist, who advanced to the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team following his title win in the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2014, is also raring to go: “I learned so much in the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup. I’ll benefit from that in the ERC Junior. And as a Swede, I’m of course especially looking forward to the hopefully snowy races in Latvia.”

Open in Latvia: The pilots can look forward to some snowy stages at the Rallye Liepāja.

A special season highlight next to the six FIA ERC Junior races is participation in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, where Marijan Griebel celebrated an overwhelming class victory last August. His new co-driver is Stefan Clemens. Bergkvist’s co-driver this season is again the Swede Joakim Sjöberg. The Opel works drivers will encounter two other ADAM R2 cars in the EC. German Julius Tannert and his Luxembourgish co-driver Jennifer Thielen will be in four of six races, including the Rallye Liepāja. Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux are taking part the whole season. However, their car is being run privately, while the works ADAM R2 is, as usual, in the capable hands of Holzer Motorsport.

Calendar ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team 2015

February 6 - 8            Rallye Liepāja, Liepāja/Latvia (gravel/ice/snow) *

April 2 - 4                  Circuit of Ireland Rally, Belfast/Northern Ireland (asphalt) *

June 4 - 6                  SATA Rallye Açores, Ponta Delgada/Azores/Portugal (gravel) *

June 25 - 27              Geko Ypres Rally, Ypern/Belgium (asphalt) *

July 17 -19                auto24 Rally Estonia, Otepää/Estonia (gravel) *

August 20 - 23           ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Trier (asphalt)

August 28 - 30           Barum Czech Rally, Zlín/Czech Republic (asphalt) *

* Race in FIA ERC Junior

!NEW! Opel and ADAC Extend Existing Partnership by Three Years

• ADAC Opel Rallye Cup to be held until end of 2018
• Promotion of talent in the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team systematically continued

Outstanding performances: Opel ADAM R2 has been impressive throughout the season

Opel and ADAC have already decided to continue their commitment to promoting young rallye drivers in Germany. The two companies agreed to extend their existing partnership by a further three years until the end of 2018, despite the current agreement being valid until the end of 2015. Therefore, the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup will be held until the end of 2018, giving all participants planning security. The ambitious and clear goal of the partners consists of two key elements. On the one hand, the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup needs to maintain and strengthen its position as the quantitative and qualitative strongest rallye series for talented drivers in Europe. On the other hand, the idea is to help the most talented juniors find their way into the European rallye elite via the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team.

Shooting stars: Marijan Griebel and Fabian Kreim registered all eight possible wins in their division in the Opel ADAM R2

“Motorsport is in our genes. The contract extension will prolong the concept for promoting talent with our partner ADAC. It has already proved to be coherent and efficient,” said Tina Müller, Vice President & CMO Opel Group. The Opel ADAM R2, that is currently used by the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team and competes in several national championships, has shown that it can hold its own against strong international competition. “We are proud and happy with the development of our Junior Team and will systematically continue this development,” added Müller.

Success rewarded: Opel will continue their backing of the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team

“The ADAC Opel Rallye Cup is a success story and the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team has fulfilled all expectations. Continuing our partnership with Opel and together promoting talents in German rallye sport is the logical step. We are delighted to have a partner in Opel that shares our philosophy for the promotion of young talents,” agreed ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk.

The ADAC Opel Rallye Cup will be fine-tuned for its third edition. In general, the 2013 rules will apply. All participants, regardless of their age, will compete for the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup 2015, giving both juniors and seniors the chance of winning prize money. In total, around €120,000 will be up for grabs. The prize money will be increased from €40,000 to €60,000 per season. Furthermore, drivers over the age of 27 (seniors) will also have the opportunity to purchase a new Cup-ADAM for the preferential price of €24,900 (excluding VAT). In addition, the best drivers under 27 will compete for an additional season prize money of €60,000 in total and have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to qualify for a place in the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team.

The  ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team will also be continued until 2018. Based on performances at the ADAC 3 City Rallye, a panel will select and announce the final driver on Saturday (October 25, 2014). The respective driver will compete in the 2015 ADAC Rallye Masters and selected international events.

!NEW! Opel at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland: New Dimensions

• Season highlight for ADAC Opel Rallye Cup at German WRC round
• ADAM teams to complete two scoring runs at ADAC Rallye Deutschland
• Tough competition for ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team with works ADAM R2

Rallye Deutschland: The three-day event will cover a total of 1,227 km, including 326 km of timed stages

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland from August 21 – 24 is a journey into a new dimension for most of the teams competing in this season’s ADAC Opel Rallye Cup. This prestigious event is also a round in the FIA World Rallye Championship and the Opel teams will contest all 18 stages and two complete scoring runs, which will present the young drivers with a very special challenge due to the sheer scale of the event.  

This year’s Rallye Deutschland will be based at Porta Nigra in Trier, instead of Cologne. The teams face an exciting challenge, which will start on Monday when they begin their pre-event reconnaissance runs to make pace notes. After starting as usual from the rallye’s service park, the 18 stages will take competitors along idyllic yet challenging asphalt tracks through the Moselle region, as well as provide tough tests at the military training grounds in Baumholder with their famous armour flat (Panzerplatte) section and legendary ’Gina’ jump.

The three-day event will cover a total of 1,227 km – almost three times the length of a normal Cup round within the ADAC Rallye Masters – including 326 km of timed stages. The challenging Panzerplatte Lang stage alone is 42.5 km long and will be driven twice on Saturday. Before each run, competitors will also complete a three kilometer sprint in the Arena Panzerplatte, which has the character of a circuit autodrome.

On Friday, the ADAM teams will tackle the first run with six stages comprising around 100 timed kilometers. The second run will go from Saturday morning to Sunday mid-day.

Opel driver and TV host Lina Van de Mars: More information about her rallye experiences can be found on the Opel motorsport website under “Lina’s Rallye World”, where the Berlin resident reports on her adventures in the Opel ADAM Cup

While the ADAC Rallye Deutschland represents a huge challenge for experienced competitors in the ADAC Opel Rallye Cup, it will be an even tougher test Opel driver Lina Van de Mars. In view of her limited experience, the famous TV host is approaching the “Deutschland Rallye adventure with due respect: “I’m not familiar with a single meter of this rallye, but I’ve received lots of reports and have a pretty good idea of what to expect,” she says. “My main goal has to be reaching the finish ramp on Sunday. But I’m really looking forward to the great tests ahead and many fans!” More information about Lina Van de Mars’s rallye experiences can be found on the www.opel-motorsport.com website under “Lina’s Rallye World”, where the Berlin resident reports on her adventures in the Opel ADAM Cup.

In addition to following the fortunes of ADAC Opel Rallye Cup competitors, rallye experts will also be keeping a close eye on the exploits of the two 190 hp ADAM R2 vehicles of the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team. Marijan Griebel (25, from Hahnweiler), as well as Fabian Kreim (21, from Fränkisch-Crumbach) have already caused quite a stir in expert circles during the first few months of competition since the ADAM R2 was homologated earlier this year. All told, the car has racked up no less than 14 class wins from 19 starts across Europe!

ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team: Marijan Griebel as well as Fabian Kreim (photo) have already caused quite a stir in expert circles during the first few months of competition since the ADAM R2 was homologated earlier this year

The Opel Rallye Junior Team looks forward to continuing this impressive form on the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. “It will be no walk in the park,” admits Marijan Griebel from personal experience. “Whoever wants to drive at the front can’t afford to give only 90 percent. We certainly have a fast car and we’re well prepared for what lies ahead.” Fabian Kreim is relaxed about his prospects: “We feel at home in our ADAM R2, but we’re not going to let ourselves go crazy. The top priority is to cross the finish line, and we’ll see how all the rest goes.”

More information about the ADAC Rallye Deutschland and Opel’s involvement as an official partner is available at www.opel-motorsport.com under the section “Pure Passion“.

!NEW! Daniel Wollinger gets the First place in the season opener of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup

The young Styrian Daniel Wollinger wins the first OPC-Cup-2013 Running superior

Two Opel Cup teams in the Top 5 of Division II

Numerous spectators provided for unique Rally atmosphere

Daniel Wollinger gets the First place in the season opener of Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup

Convincing launched the Opel Corsa OPC in the Lavant Cup Rally Rally powered by car4you in the second season. The motivated pilots and their teams who have pitched their tents around the Opel VIP tent in the service zone, the start could hardly expect more. The mood could not be better. They impressed fans and spectators alike - especially as the weather conditions would hardly can be difficult.

The total of 12 special stages were a mix of dry passages and partly frozen rain and ice on the roadway. The teams of the Opel Corsa OPC showed Rally Cup under these difficult conditions in spite of all outstanding performance.

Christoph Leitgeb at Second place

Daniel Wollinger and Christoph Leitgeb fought a thrilling head-to-head race. Leitgeb showed in the individual special a top performance at the end of the day Wollinger could with Bernhard Holzer, co, overall winner of the first season of the Corsa cups, without any errors and with 32.8 seconds turn the tide itself.

Alois Scheidhammer at Third place

"Due to the difficult weather conditions, the Lavant Valley Rally was a real challenge," said Willi Stengg, organizer of the Opel Cup. In addition, the team achieved excellent rankings in the overall standings. "The construction work of the Opel Corsa OPC was easier and faster. Daniel (Wollinger) and Christoph (Leitgeb) have really laid a great performance and reached the Division II 4th and 5 Space of 40 competing teams. "In the overall standings the two achieved the rank 11 and 12 in the most densely occupied rally.

Alois Scheidhammer provided a constant and stable performance enabled it to make a belated birthday present themselves - the team reached the third Place in the Cup. The newcomers, Gerhard Aigner, could surprise the audience by his good performance. He was unlucky in the 4th Special where his vehicle had to finish the competition on the first day by a loose connector in the engine control unit. Aigner was able to continue on Saturday at the Super Rally regulations, in the cup, he reached the fourth Place. Behind Koni Friesenegger fought against time. Daniel Zieser stuck his crash in the forest area in 2012 and came away positively in sixth place. Rene Rieder went from the beginning very good time and was in the special always among the top four overall, he scored the 7th Place. The other placings went to Gerhard Dworak and the rally novice, Thomas Mosburger.

Alexander Struckl, managing director of General Motors Austria GmbH, visited the Cup at the opening event. "It's nice to see the team motivated, you realize how enthusiastic they are. Congratulations to winner Daniel Wollinger and his co-driver Bernhard Holzer, 4th in Division II is really a fantastic result. I'm curious how the team will continue to develop throughout the season. "

In fact, we can still expect some surprises in the course of the Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup. The second run is at 03 and 04 April 2013 in the exchange country rally across the stage - in the Styrian home of Willi Stengg. The Opel Corsa OPC Rally Cup teams will once again provide exciting rally action.

!NEW! "ADAC Opel Rally Cup" Terrific start in his First season

Convincing: Strong performance in the toughest conditions

Outstanding: Two ADAM-Cup cars in the top ten overall

Experience: Two senior teams put the records in the first race

Enthusiasm: Many viewers provide unique Rally atmosphere

Jumping hill: Opel ADAM Cup pilot brilliantly mastered the demanding stages

Totally convincing launched the newly created brand trophy "ADAC Opel Rally Cup" in its premiere season 2013: The 21 evaluated Cup teams impressed in their debut fans, insiders and viewers alike - especially as the external conditions have hardly can be difficult.

Night Ride: Despite the late hour huge spectator interest in the season opener for ADAC Opel  Rallye Cup in Erzgebige

The 13 stages showed a treacherous mix of dry passages, partially wet and frozen ice and snow on the road and in many of bends, which made balancing on the ideal line to act tough in the majority. This increased inspections on the first night and the partially strong fog on the second day of competition, the demands on the driver's feeling and calculus and the navigational skills of the co-pilot.

Despite "All wheel drive weather ": Two cup ADAMs in the Top Ten overall

Although especially in these weather conditions, the four-wheel drive vehicles had significantly enhanced traction, it is to be valued at higher than the front-wheel drive, 142 hp ADAM alleged Cup cars in a field with up to 300-hp all-wheel training. Under these conditions, two senior teams were through with their experience and routine. Markus Fahrner (33) and Michael Wenzel (36) were victorious in the Cupwertung, gaining an almost sensational 7 Place overall - followed directly by Florian Niegel (29) and Thomas Fuchs (48) to second the Cup or eighth place overall. The fastest of the separate junior standings (drivers up to 27 years) were the first Race event Marijan Griebel (23) and co-pilot Alexander Rath (28).

Victory Celebration: The veterans Markus Fahrner and Michael Wenzel decided the first round of the ADAC OPEL RALLY CUPS after a hard fight for themselves

After the first Cup passage occupied race, level and time points ranking - to pursue in detail www.opel-motorsport.com - very clear: The potential of the Opel ADAM Cup is as promising as the power density in the driver's field. So already you can hope with some justification that the new brand trophy in the foreseeable future brings top talent with German international format.

Reactions and results show that the right project at the right time

Were also clearly the general creed and the reactions to the common rally sponsored project of Opel and ADAC. The numerous spectators along the route were the professional appearance of the brand trophy on and off the track just as excited as the specialists and connoisseurs of the rally scene. "Just as a young brand trophy was missing in German rallying before," says the co-initiator and ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk. "I am proud that we were able to put together something with Opel on its feet. Today's battle at the front clearly underlines how exciting it will be again this season. I am sure that not only we will follow very closely. "

Opel motorsport director Michael F. Meyer shares the enthusiasm: "A fantastic start - for Opel, the ADAC and for the teams. The enormous interest in the OPEL ADAC Rallye Cup has far exceeded our expectations. Practically every day is becoming increasingly clear: Concept and Idea agree to the point. The brand new trophy is the right initiative at the right time, allows you to revive rallying in Germany. "

!NEW! Start free: Opel prelude to ADAC Rallye Cup

Start of season as part of "ADAC Rally Masters" at Rallye Erzgebirge

New Opel ADAM brand trophy encounters strong interest

23 Opel pilots start to the premiere in difficult weather conditions

Opel ADAM Rallye at Rallye Erzgebirge

The first protagonists of a newly established brand trophy, Opel and ADAC to promote Rally talent launched: members of the 23 teams of the new ADAC Opel Rally Cup start not only in the new racing season, they may also feel as pioneers.

And right at the beginning, the participants of which about a third are real rally novices faced with difficult conditions around Stollberg in the Erzgebirge. Due to the wintry weather conditions namely have several test sections on a treacherous mix of dry passages and sections with snow and ice. The tire choice is so difficult: Profile lots slicks are already under such conditions outside before. The slightly profiled Intermediates bring benefits to the dry passages, winter tires on ice, snow and slush - a wise strategy and risk assessment are therefore required.

For racing fans and the media, the innovative Rally project has generated strong levels as well as in the Opel Trade Organization. Thus, the season debut over 60 local dealer to find out "live" all the details of the Opel ADAC Rallye Cup. Opel offers through its dealer customers and guests and special VIP fan packages for this exclusive event at Motorsport - including shuttle services to the most spectacular "hot spots" of all sections and route statements by experienced rally guides.

"We agreed with our partner ADAC that its racing in Germany something must be done," says Jörg Schrott, Commercial Director OPC & Motorsport. "That's what we do with the ADAC Rallye Cup Opel project. The new brand trophy series documents the traditional commitment by Opel for talent development and grassroots - and he has everything Motorsport makes it attractive: a great car, top-class technology, a professional appearance and optimal development opportunities for young talents. We are sure this project has a future. "

!NEW! ADAC Opel Rallye Cup starts

• Transfer of 24 ADAM rally cars in the Opel plant in Eisenach
•  Joint promotion of young Rally talents by Opel and ADAC
• ADAM 'Cup' as entry into the Internationally oriented Rally program

Of the 2013 season for the first time focused ADAC Opel Rallye CUP stands before the start: In a few weeks the new junior rally series from Opel and ADAC, which is aligned with specially designed "Cup" cars of the lifestyle streaker ADAM. Today, 24 teams took their ADAM "Cup" at Opel Eisenach in reception - where the ADAM is running in one of the most advanced car plants in Europe by the band. The rally version of Opel's newcomer is bustling heart of the Opel and ADAC jointly launched motorsport promotion concept. ADAM "Cup" was developed by Opel engineers in close cooperation with the engineering partner Holzer Motorsport Bobingen and has a 1.6 liter naturally aspirated engine with 140 horsepower and a five-speed sequential Sadev. With a price of less than € 25,000 Opel graphically illustrates how affordable rallying can be implemented at a high level.

In few weeks the new junior rally series from Opel and ADAC, which is aligned with specially designed "Cup" cars of the lifestyle streaker ADAM. Today, 24 teams took their ADAM "Cup" at Opel Eisenach.

"With their ADAM rally cars the teams start in a few days at ADAC Opel Rallye Cup. This brand trophy is a pillar of our new motorsport strategy. It is the basis for entry and advancement opportunities in the German and European rallying, "says Opel motorsport director Michael Meyer. And Lars Soutschka, ADAC Head of Motorsport, said: "The idea to break new ground in the promotion of young talent in the sport, has convinced us. Help we received with ADAC Opel Rallye Cup have created the right platform, shows the tremendous interest in our new series. "Barely 22 days after the official presentation of the new rally series already all 24 starting positions were awarded from over 70 applicants. This enthusiasm also host Stefan Fesser, Opel plant in Eisenach director tells, "We Eisenach Opel workers since the official launch of ADAM from the great attention for our new family member almost overwhelmed".

ADAM "Cup" teams also at the German Rally Championship in 2013 while running

The new rallying CSF, the partners and ADAC Opel perfectly complement: The ADAC provides the organizational framework and the motorsport infrastructure, Opel the right vehicles, the technology and racing expertise. As part of the 24 ADAM ADAC Rallye Masters' Cup "teams take each other out of the ADAC Rallye Opel CUP. The kick off on 5 and 6 April at the ADMV Rallye Erzgebirge. A highlight for the participants is the 22nd to 25 August: Then they compete in the ADAC Rally Germany, the German round of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship, with the world's best rally professionals. In addition to regular Opel ADAC Rallye Cup there is a separate classification for junior riders under 27 years old, whose winner will be promoted in the following season of ADAC and Opel continue.

As of the 2014 season takes stage two of the modular rally program, in which the ADAM R2 comes with FIA Regulations for use. In the basic technical configuration is the vehicle with the "Cup" version are broadly similar, the 1.6 liter engine in this version, some 185 hp. For intermediates can be upgraded to ADAM 'Cup' version on R2 standard.

The new Opel ADAC Rallye Cup Opel secures the conditions to build on the successful rally history of the company in the 70s and 80s. Rally legend Walter Röhrl in 1974 on the Ascona A and 1979 in the Ascona B European Rally Champion. The highlight of this era, also with Röhrl at the wheel, was the world title in 1982 at the legendary Ascona 400.

Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger in an Opel Ascona A during the Moldow Rally, 1974.

Opel Ascona B 400, piloted to victory in the Rally World Championship by Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer, 1982

!NEW! Four Opel World Premieres at Geneva Motor Show 2013

• New elegant midsize Opel Cascada convertible makes its world debut
• Urban crossover concept Opel ADAM ROCKS shows freedom in its most individual form
• Opel ADAM R2 Concept bound for rallyeing this year
• Super efficient all-new 1.6 liter Turbo Diesel premieres in Opel Zafira Tourer
• Opel ADAM best connected small car, with IntelliLink and Siri Eyes Free voice recognition

Opel presents four world premieres at this year’s Geneva Motor Show (public visitor days March 7 – 17, 2013). The new mid-size class Cascada convertible, the urban crossover concept ADAM ROCKS, the rallye concept ADAM R2 and the Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTI will all be revealed at the Opel press conference on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. in Geneva Palexpo, Hall 2, Stand 2231.

With the elegant four seat Cascada convertible, Opel now offers an attractive and affordable alternative in a segment dominated by higher priced midsize cabrios. With muscular proportions and an open-air feeling, the crossover concept ADAM ROCKS previews possible design routes to an absolutely unique and even more individual car, while the ADAM R2 variant, bound for international customer rallyeing this year, also joins the small car’s star cast. A key part of the comprehensive update to Opel’s engine portfolio is the launch of a new family of mid-size diesel engines. The new generation 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC makes its debut in Geneva in the compact Zafira Tourer van. The urban lifestyle ADAM, Opel’s individualization champion and best connected small car, made waves before and during its market launch. Now it is sure to turn more heads at Geneva as the ADAM continues to increase its technological advantage with new IntelliLink functions, such as Siri Eyes Free voice recognition and apps like TuneIn for global radio streaming.

World premiere: New Opel Cascada – Glamorous all season midsize convertible

The new Opel Cascada is a classy four seater with an elongated silhouette and a sophisticated, high quality soft-top. Positioned at the top of Opel’s product line-up, the Cascada is a mid-size convertible that’s distinguished not only by its size (length: almost 4.70 meters), but also by its allure and the many premium technologies and features it offers.

It delivers a sharp driving experience with a super rigid body, advanced HiPerStrut front suspension and adaptive mechatronic FlexRide chassis system. All occupants can enjoy the pleasures of open-air driving thanks to the premium quality soft-top which opens at the touch of a button in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. It can also be activated by remote control when the car is stationary.

With its outstanding load capacity of up to 380 liters (top closed), the all-season convertible shows that glamour and everyday practicality are perfectly compatible. To increase load volume, the Opel Cascada benefits from the FlexFold system which electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seat-back rests – a feature that cannot be offered in hard-top convertibles.

True premium equipment such as automatic seatbelt presenters, exclusive Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated ergonomic seats, as well as a host of safety systems, enhance interior comfort and provide greater safety for relaxed driving pleasure. Even with a very rich standard equipment, Cascada prices are highly attractive and start at 25,945 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany). The new Opel Cascada will arrive at dealerships in April.

World premiere: Opel ADAM ROCKS Concept – Freedom in its most individual form

The lifestyle Opel ADAM is the true champion of individualization – and the best connected small car around. But that is not enough for Opel. At the Geneva Motor Show, the automaker reveals it is exploring new ways of further enhancing ADAM’s individualization with a three door, urban mini-crossover study called ADAM ROCKS. With its muscular proportions, fierce design and an open-air capability, the 3.7 meter long ADAM ROCKS opens the door to a new market segment.

The ADAM ROCKS concept has been created for those seeking personal freedom “off the beaten track”. Inspired by parkour athletes, it features a higher and wider stance as well as an especially powerful, compact appearance. Its assertive looks, with a prominent grille structure and LED headlamps, show this car means business. Boomerang shaped turn indicators make the ADAM ROCKS’ styling even more individual, and the clips on the concept’s large, 18 inch wheels get a particularly expressive design.

The ADAM ROCKS’ special feeling of personal freedom is further emphasized by its cabrio looks and a fabric roof that offers a clear view of the sky above. The fabric extends across the entire width of the roof right back to the C pillars. The ‘networked’ roof’s special appeal is its intelligence: a special weather app, displayed on the color touch screen of the IntelliLink driver-information-center, knows when a weather front is imminent and automatically initiates closing of the roof. This ADAM rocks!

World premiere: Opel ADAM Rallye R2 – ADAM UNCHAINED

Opel officially returned to motorsport with the ADAM “Cup” in November 2012. At this year’s Geneva Motor Show the brand now presents a new Rallye Cup variant of its small lifestyle car, built based on FIA R2 regulations. Special body components from the sporty Opel OPC product line and quick release catches on the hood and tailgate, as well as under ride guards front and rear, emphasize the sporty format of this rallye specialist.

Its unique shell also harbors pure high-tech. The ADAM R2 is powered by a 1.6 liter ECOTEC 16V engine with variable camshaft phasing that develops around 136 kW/185 hp and maximum torque of about 190 Nm in its competitive configuration. The adjustable chassis set-up with asphalt and gravel settings guarantees maximum traction and dynamic handling. And excellent stopping power is provided by a braking system with a hydraulic ‘fly-off’ handbrake, Brembo 4 piston front brake calipers and braking pressure regulation for the rear axle.

The R2’s cabin features all the attributes of a professional competition vehicle. Equipment includes an integrated safety structure, HANS-compatible SPARCO Competition racing seats, a cockpit with an LCD gear indicator, control light and MONIT trip computer, a central control panel, a map reading light and an electric fire extinguisher. After its homologation, the ADAM R2 will be a top-class vehicle for international customer rallyeing, eligible for every national championship in Europe.

World premiere: New Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTI – Highest turbo diesel efficiency

Opel introduces the 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC, the cleanest diesel engine in the company’s history, in the Zafira Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show. Equipped with Opel BlueInjection SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology, this new generation four cylinder turbo diesel already meets future stringent Euro 6 emissions limits.

In the Opel Zafira Tourer, the new generation 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC unit delivers 100 kW/136 hp and 320 Nm of torque, together with outstanding combined cycle fuel efficiency of just 4.1 l/100 km and very low emission levels of only 109 g/km CO2. No other compact monocab on the market place offers such a great combination of high torque and performance (with a maximum speed of 193 km/h) and fuel economy. 

The new 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC does not only set benchmarks for performance with its high power and torque density but also for refinement with an outstandingly low level of noise, vibration and harshness. This new generation engine and its innovative engine control unit have been entirely developed in-house by a global team of engineers in Turin, Rüsselsheim and the USA.

Infotainment premiere: Opel ADAM IntelliLink – Now with Siri Eyes Free voice recognition

Opel’s individualization champion ADAM is the best connected small car on the market. Its IntelliLink infotainment system is compatible with both iPhones iOS and Android smartphones and integrates many of their functions into the car. With Siri Eyes Free voice recognition (for iPhone smartphones that run on Apple iOS 6) and apps like TuneIn for global radio streaming, the ADAM continues to extend its technological leadership with additional IntelliLink features.

Opel ADAM IntelliLink with BringGo navigation

Siri Eyes Free voice recognition makes driving safer as well as more comfortable. TuneIn brings the world of international radio to drivers and passengers: app users can tune in to 70,000 stations and over two million on-demand programs. Many other apps are also available for ADAM’s IntelliLink system, including Stitcher global podcast internet radio and BringGo navigation for Western and Eastern Europe. Everything is clearly displayed in the car via IntelliLink’s seven inch color touch screen display.