50 Years Ago: Walter Röhrl Wins European Rally Championship in Opel Ascona

• October 13, 1974: Röhrl/Berger take title with a maximum of 120 points
• Top class: Röhrl also wins 1982 World Rally Championship in the Ascona
• ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2024: Electrifying rally sport

In record time: From young talent to rally ace

Born in Regensburg in 1947, Walter Röhrl focussed on sport from an early age: football, rowing, skiing – and finally motorsport. According to his own statement, the young Bavarian consciously chose “rally instead of circuit.” It proved to be the right decision.

His breakthrough, which turned him from “nobody” (as he once said himself) into a surprise frontrunner in the rally circus, came in 1972. Röhrl played a dominant role in the Poland Rally, the Baltic Rally and the Olympia Rally. From 1973 onwards, the then 26-year-old drove for Opel – with Jochen Berger at his side. He gives Röhrl the route instructions and plays a significant role in the coming successes. Even back then, the co-driver was sure of Röhrl's driving qualities: “Driving through a special stage with Walter is safer than crossing the road in the city.”

He turns out to be right: in the same year, with just a few starts and almost the same number of overall victories, the two of them finish as runners-up in the European Championships in an Opel Ascona. For Röhrl, this proved to be the perfect springboard for the coming season with the recently founded Opel Euro Dealer Team.

Convincing display: Röhrl/Berger win 1974 European Championship in Opel Ascona

And so, in 1974, Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger attacked the competition with great ambitions. Their car is again a factory Ascona A. This has an engine that has been bored out to two litres with an overhead camshaft and crossflow cylinder head. This means that the car produces between 141 kW (192 hp) and 156 kW (212 hp). Special springs and special shock absorbers as well as internally ventilated disc brakes at the front and ventilated drum brakes at the rear adapt the chassis of the rally car based on the production model to the tough competition conditions. In his biography “Aufschrift” Röhrl remembers: “The engine was easy to drive. Power came from around 2,000 rpm and continued to 7,600 rpm. But I refrained from revving it up so high. My moral limit was 7,000 rpm. Mostly."

However, Röhrl/Berger have to be patient until their first big success of the season. At the 8th International Firestone Rally – the 5th round of the European Rally Championship at the end of March 1974 – the time had finally come. As the top team in the Opel Euro Dealer Team, the two achieved a superior start/finish victory after 1,517 kilometres and 19 special stages in the northern Spanish mountains. From then on, things happened in quick succession: just four weeks later, Röhrl/Berger took the lead right from the start at the Tulip Rally in the Netherlands. After 1,250 kilometres and 38 special tests, they achieved their next impressive overall victory in their Ascona. The local authorities cause a moment of shock: They suspect Röhrl of significantly exceeding the permitted speed limit. Fortunately, this turns out to be a mistake. The law enforcement officers did not catch the German duo with starting number 1 speeding - instead the Polish team with number 7 were caught on camera.

Further victories follow in the Hessen Rally, the Moldau Rally and the Danube Rally in Romania. The Opel drivers clearly lead the overall standings – and the 13th Rally Internazionale di Lugano is scheduled to take place from October 11 to 13. Röhrl/Berger can already secure the European title. They once again took “pole position” among the 52 competitors right from the start. The 28 tough special stages in the mountains between Lugano and Lake Maggiore take their toll: only 18 teams cross the finish line on October 13 – with the Opel Ascona with Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger leading the way. After 1,000 kilometres they are more than ten minutes ahead of the second-placed team. With their sixth overall victory and 120 points – the highest number of points ever achieved to date – they won the European Rally Championship in 1974 with three races remaining.

1974 European Championship: Start of Röhrl and Opel's further rally success

But after this success, Walter Röhrl has even greater ambitions. He writes: “With the European title I had achieved what I wanted. But one dream kept me going: winning the Monte Carlo Rally once in my life.”

In 1975, Röhrl achieved the first victory in a World Rally Championship race for himself and Opel, but in 1977 the exceptional driver and the brand with the Blitz went their separate ways. At this point in time, no one had any idea that their greatest sporting triumph was yet to come. In 1982, Röhrl returned to Opel. While Jochen Berger is manager of the motorsport department, his new co-driver Christian Geistdörfer also makes a decisive contribution to the success of the “Mission Monte Carlo” – along with the 191 kW (260 hp) Ascona 400. With Geistdörfer and the Ascona 400, Röhrl wins the legendary Monte Carlo Rally for the second time. A tailor-made start to the rally season, which ultimately culminated in a spectacular victory in the 1982 Drivers' World Championship.

Fast, exciting and electrifying – three words that perfectly describe the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”. With the world's first fully electric one-make rally cup, Opel, ADAC and everyone involved are showing how modern, sustainable rallying works today. Luca Pröglhöf has just secured this year's title and thrilled the fans in exciting competitions. But Pröglhöf and his colleagues have famous “forerunners”. Because Opel and rallying are closely linked.

Watching cars drift and master difficult conditions has thrilled motorsports fans for many years. Today, they can see the battery-electric Opel Corsa Rally Electric in action. In the 1970s and 1980s legendary Opel rally cars and drivers thrilled the masses. Two names are inextricably linked to the rally successes of the time: the Opel Ascona as a reliable competition vehicle and Walter Röhrl as a young, aspiring rally driver who would ultimately become the best in his profession. The exceptional driver won his first major title exactly 50 years ago: Together with his co-driver Jochen Berger, he won the European Rally Championship on October 13, 1974 – with a maximum possible tally of 120 points.

50th Anniversary of Opel Kadett C: Car with Many Talents

• Summer of 1973: Third generation of bestselling Opel Kadett is launched
• Spoilt for choice; Opel Kadett C available as a saloon, coupé and estate with many additional variants including Aero
• Safety first: Three-point seatbelts as standard, base vehicle for the OSV 40
• Successful competitor: Sporty Opel Kadett GT/E celebrates rally accomplishments
• Compact driving pleasure today: New all-electric Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric combines dynamic driving fun with responsibility

New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric celebrated its world premiere at IAA Mobility in Munich a few days ago. With its bold and pure design, modern technologies and a high level of practicality, it offers a lot of driving fun coupled with responsibility – and thus seamlessly takes the successful recipe of almost nine decades of the Opel compact class into the future. Before Opel Astra, Opel Kadett gave its name to the model series that was popular with customers for generations. One is now celebrating an anniversary: exactly 50 years ago, the third post-war generation of the compact bestseller from the brand with Blitz, Opel Kadett C, was launched for first time – and it was more diverse than almost any other model before.

1970s: Diversity is key, Opel Kadett goes around the world

A smart family car, a chic second car with a practical tailgate, or a sporty coupé – Opel  Kadett C range had many faces between 1973 and 1979. With clearly designed bodywork and a new double-wishbone front axle, rear-wheel drive Opel Kadett C made its debut in late summer 1973. Characteristic design features included a flat radiator grille, an engine hood with the brand’s signature crease, and a spoiler-shaped front apron. “Opel Kadett not only drives exceptionally well, it is also solidly built and finished. It requires little maintenance, is easy to repair and economical to run,” wrote car-test experts at “auto motor und sport”.

Customers were spoilt for choice and could find the right Kadett variant for every taste. Third Opel Kadett generation was initially available as a two- and four-door saloon in normal and luxury versions, as a three and five-door estate and as a coupé. Many more variants would follow, because Kadett C was designed as a “world car”. Not only did it roll off the assembly lines in Germany, it was also produced as a Chevette at Vauxhall in UK. In addition, it was also built in Asia, Australia and North and South America with slightly modified bodywork and technology adapted to local conditions. In Germany, efficient 1.2- litre engines with 38 kW/52 hp and 44 kW/60 hp initially provided propulsion. At the beginning of 1975, a particularly economical 1.0-litre gasoline power unit with 30 kW/40 hp joined engine range. And with 77 kW/105 hp GT/E fuel-injection model presented at IAA in 1975, Opel continued tradition of Rallye Kadett.

Safety first: First Opel Kadett with three-point belts, base vehicle for “OSV 40”

When generation C began rolling off the production line in 1973, it was first Opel Kadett to have three-point seatbelts in front seats, fixed to B pillar at top and bottom as well as at belt lock. A life-saving safety feature that, thanks to its simple one-handed operation, increased acceptance among many people who did not like seat belts. Also not to be taken for granted at the time: all buttons and switches were easy to reach, even with seatbelt fastened, and the instruments were easy to read at all times.

Biggest technical innovation of Opel Kadett C was double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs. An anti-roll bar was standard for all versions. Track width was 20 mm wider than the predecessor’s to further improve handling. Further developed rear axle harmonised perfectly, contributing to neutral handling and a high level of active safety. In event of a collision, features such as the impact-absorbing safety steering, crumple zones at front and rear and passenger compartment as safety cell minimised the risk of injury.

It was therefore no surprise that Opel Kadett C was used as base vehicle for the 1974 “OSV 40” safety vehicle. Stable longitudinal and transverse beams plus reinforced doors and sills protected the passengers in event of a collision or rollover. Vehicle was designed to withstand a frontal impact with a rigid obstacle at a speed of 65 km/h, equivalent to an impact at 40 miles an hour – hence the figure “40” in name. With this production-near prototype, Opel showed that optimum passive safety could be achieved not only with large and heavy vehicles, but also with compact, lighter cars. OSV 40 only weighed 960 kg. Experience gained from the development work and the testing of OSV 40 went into various subsequent production models.

Rallye-Kadett reloaded: Opel Kadett GT/E celebrates sporting success

Opel demonstrated that third generation Kadett was not only safe but also extremely sporty when Kadett GT/E celebrated its premiere at the 1975 IAA. Its 1.9-litre engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection delivered 77 kW/105 hp. With a weight of around only 900 kilogrammes it could reach a top speed of 184 km/h. Its design polarised – and particularly delighted motorsport fans: Above belt line, GT/E was bright yellow, below it was black. It was not just young drivers who dreamed of GT/E back then; from 1976 onwards, well-known Opel works drivers who would soon make motorsport history took their seats in cockpit. Walter Röhrl and Rauno Aaltonen were successful with 165 kW/225 hp GT/E at Monte Carlo Rally and the Portugal Rally. Röhrl and Jochen Berger – the first professional co-driver in Germany – scored a sensational fourth place on Monte and Opel even achieved second place in overall brand classification.

Opel offered Kadett with a different kind of driving fun in 1976. With Opel Kadett Aero, the driver and passengers could let the wind blow through their hair and “cruise” around. Manufactured by Stuttgart body specialist Baur, Opel Kadett Aero was an extraordinary convertible that featured a roll bar, Targa top and a rear folding cover. Aero thus combined several cars in one: convertible, holiday car, and family vehicle as well as an all-rounder for city and commuter traffic. Nowadays it is considered a legendary classic that attracts enthusiastic attention at numerous vintage car rallies.

Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric: Modern driving fun coupled with responsibility

Newest Astra generation also offers plenty of driving pleasure – and in a particularly responsible way. For the first time in the long success story of Opel compact class cars, Opel Astra is fully electric. With new Astra Sports Tourer Electric, which was recently presented at the IAA and can already be ordered, Opel even has one of the first battery-electric estates on the market.

Electric motor produces 115 kW/156 hp and delivers a powerful 270 Newton meters of maximum torque at the first touch of the accelerator, ensuring brisk starts and impressive acceleration. And while many other electric cars are limited to 150 km/h or 160 km/h, new Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric has a top speed of 170 km/h. Energy for a locally emissions-free range of up to 413 kilometres according to WLTP 1 is provided by 54-kWh lithium-ion battery, – which can be recharged quickly when necessary. At same time, the electric car combines all advantages of a spacious estate with bold and pure design of current Opel Astra generation. With this pioneering combination, new Astra Sports Tourer Electric has all it takes to successfully continue Opel's long compact class history.

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

Opel Classics to participate in Germany’s biggest Oldtimer Rally

• Classic Opel competition cars among 197 starters of Olympia Rally ’72 Revival
• World rally champion Walter Röhrl pilots Opel Commodore GS/E and Ascona 400
• Opel Astra plug-in hybrid for organisers

Opel Classic will participate in the Olympia Rally '72 Revival, which will take place across Germany from August 8-13. One hundred and ninety-seven teams from nine nations will complete 6 daily stages between Kiel in the north and Munich in the south – a total of 2,252 kilometres. Among the starters is rally legend and double world champion Walter Röhrl, whose career took off exactly 50 years ago on the original Olympia Rally.

“We are delighted to be able to contribute real gems to this great revival with classic Opel models such as the 1971 Rallye Kadett and the Commodore GS/E Coupé. And of course, the Opel Olympia will also play a part to match the title of the rally. Just like our new Astra plug-in hybrid, which will attract attention with its bold, clear design and pioneering technologies as an advance and crew vehicle,” said Harald Hamprecht, Vice President Communications.

“1972 Olympia Rally was unique and the Revival will thrill the fans”, said Opel Classics Manager Leif Rohwedder. “Our legendary Opel cars are sure to bring back lots of memories for the participants and spectators.”

Walter Röhrl drives Opel Commodore GS/E and Ascona 400

Walter Röhrl describes the 1972 Olympia Rally as “the rally of the century. After this, nothing was the same as before.” His first works contract with Opel followed. “Under the guidance of Opel tuner Günter Irmscher, I prepared for my first Monte Carlo Rally and an exciting ‘73 season with my new co-driver Jochen Berger.” Bavarian went on to win the European Rally Championship in 1974 in a works Opel Ascona A and the drivers’ world championship title (for the second time) in 1982 with the Ascona 400.

On Thursday, August 11, Röhrl will start the rally in the Commodore GS/E from Opel Classic. It was precisely with a car like this that Röhrl and Berger made their Irmscher/Opel-debut at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1973. Röhrl will then cover the second leg from Pferdsfeld in an Opel Ascona 400 – a car with which he celebrated numerous successes, above all victory on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1982. The day's destination is the Speyer “Technik Museum”, home of Europe's largest space exhibition.

In addition to the Opel classics driven by Walter Röhrl, a special Opel Kadett B will be piloted on the Olympia Rally ’72 Revival by ADAC sport president Hermann Tomczyk and motorsport veteran Günther Holzer. They will share the Rallye Kadett driven by Swedes Anders Kulläng and Bruno Berglund in the 1970s.

Finally, an “Olympia Rally” would be incomplete without an Opel of the same name and the one taking part in this year's revival is an Olympia 1100 SR from 1967. This particular example features the 1100 SR engine with 44 kW/60 hp. More powerful Olympia 1900 could reach a top speed of up to 170 km/h – sports car territory at the time.

Opel Astra plug-in hybrid bold and pure course car

To ensure that the organisers of the Olympia Rally revival can travel in the same bold and pure style as the classic models from Rüsselsheim, Opel has put a new Astra plug-in hybrid at their disposal. Electrified Astra matches the rally’s climate-neutral concept and produces 133 kW/180 hp in system power and 360 Newton metres of maximum torque (WLTP combined fuel consumption1: 1.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 26-24 g/km). In pure electric mode, the five-door compact can cover up to 60 km locally emissions-free (WLTP1).

[1] Provisional range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). Actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.

Opel wishes Walter Röhrl Happy 75th Birthday

• Röhrl Monte winner: 1982 victory with Opel Ascona 400 was one of his best
• Röhrl Opel GT lover: Perfect mix of driving fun and social acceptance
• Röhrl Opel Corsa-e Rally fan: Respect for the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup
• Röhrl birthday-boy: Up and down the mountains in snow-shoes

Walter Röhrl in Opel Ascona 400

Rally driver of the century. Best rally driver of all time. Driver of the millennium. Even the late, great Niki Lauda called him a “genius on wheels”! Who else could it be but Walter Röhrl, former Opel works rally driver, double world champion rally driver and multiple winner of the famous Monte Carlo Rally, who today celebrates his 75th birthday.

However, titles like these leave the Bavarian motorsports icon stone cold. All he ever wanted to do was prove that he was simply the best rally driver in the world. “My aim was to show that I can win in any car,” said Röhrl in the book Opel Motorsport mit Tradition. And his life’s ambition was to win the Monte Carlo Rally, which he achieved in four different cars.

Opel the reliable: Röhrl and Opel Ascona 400 defeat powerful rivals to win 1982 Monte

According to Röhrl himself (who won the 1974 European Rally Championship in a works Opel Ascona A with co-driver Jochen Berger), one of his best Monte Carlo victories of all came in 1982 with the Opel Ascona 400. “We were up against Hannu Mikkola in the Audi Quattro with four-wheel drive and at least 400 hp,” he remembers. “Our Opel Ascona 400 however, had only rear-wheel drive and 260 hp! But Opel ‘der Zuverlässige’ (Opel the reliable) did the name proud and by the second stage we were already firmly in the lead.”

Rest is history, as they say, and following the Monte win Röhrl went on to claim his second World Rally Drivers Championship title (and Opel’s first) on the gruelling Ivory Coast Rally.

Röhrl remains closely connected to Opel to this very day. For instance, he owns an Opel GT that he acquired from his former chief mechanic, Herbert Fabian. “I like to take the GT when I do the shopping,” he smiles, “it is the perfect mixture of driving fun and social acceptance – when you turn up in an Opel GT there is no jealousy, only admiration.”

ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup: “Remarkable achievement”

Röhrl, the perfectionist behind the wheel who is famous for his straight-talking, is also a keen follower of the all-electric ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup with the Opel Corsa-e Rally. “It’s remarkable what they have achieved there,” he acknowledges. “Charging is a particular difficulty. Of course, the stages have to be shorter now. Long stages that we used to drive are impossible electrically. But if that is the price for bringing rallying into the 21st century then it is the right way to go.”

Opel Corsa-e Rally

Today, as usual, the sports fanatic Röhrl will celebrate his birthday on snow-shoes: “Two hours, first trampling uphill then downhill – glorious! If I don’t do sport every day I get crabby, even though I’m not as fit as I used to be. But recently I was on my bike with friends – some of them only about 50 – and I still blew them off, not only downhill, but uphill too!”

That is pure Walter Röhrl, the legendary race and rally driver idolized by motorsport fans all over the world. What else is there to say but “Congratulations and many happy returns on your 75th from everyone at Opel!”

!NEW! AVD Oldtimer Grand Prix: Opel Celebrates 1996 International Touring Car Championship Victory with Calibra V6

• International Touring Car Championship 1996: Opel wins with Calibra V6
• Nürburgring 24 Hours 2003: Opel wins with Astra V8 Coupé
• Oldtimer GP 2016: Opel touring cars from Manta A to Astra TCR take to the track
• On display in the paddock: Opel rally cars driven by Walter Röhrl

International Touring Car Championship 1996: Opel wins with Calibra V6.

The AVD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the legendary Nürburgring (August 12 to 14) is the highlight of the season for classic fans. This year Opel celebrates its successful motorsports tradition with famous touring cars. On pole-position is the Opel Calibra V6 which won the 1996 International Touring Car Championship. The black “Cliff” Calibra driven by Manuel Reuter claimed the last ITC-title despite strong competition from Alfa Romeo and Mercedes. At the Nürburgring the all-wheel drive Calibra will be driven by former DTM driver and Opel brand ambassador, Jockel Winkelhock.

World Champion 1996: The black “Cliff” Calibra claimed the last ITC-title despite strong competition from Alfa Romeo and Mercedes.

Opel Calibra V6 will not be alone on the starting grid. The ITC-champion will be joined by the Irmscher Manta A (which rally-legends Walter Röhrl and Rauno Aaltonen drove to victory in the 1975 Spa 24 Hours), the group 4 Gerent Opel GT and a 300 hp Steinmetz Commodore from 1971. Additional crowd-favorites include the group 5 Opel Rekord C also known as the “Black Widow” and a group H Opel Manta which since its debut has never missed a 24-hour race at the Ring. Equally at home in the Eifel is the 500 hp Astra V8 Coupe which won the 24 hour race at the “Green Hell” in 2003, driven by Manuel Reuter, Timo Scheider, Marcel Tiemann and Volker Strycek.

Nürburgring 24 Hours 2003: Opel wins with Astra V8 Coupé.

The Astra-racer almost went into production as the OPC X-Treme, and the car displayed at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show will be on stage again at the Oldtimer Grand Prix. Specially for rally fans, the OPC X-Treme will be accompanied on the Opel Classic stand in the paddock by three rally cars driven by former World and European Rally Champion, Walter Röhrl – the Ascona A and Kadett C GT/E from the legendary Röhrl/Berger era and the Opel Ascona 400, with which Röhrl and co-driver Christian Geistdörfer drifted to the 1982 World Rally Championship crown.

Apart from the historic oldtimers, the current generation will be represented by a touring car from the TCR series. The brand new Opel Astra TCR will make its first appearance at an Oldtimer GP and join the Calibra V6 and co. on the track. The Opel Astra TCR combines a production car with state-of-the-art race technology, enabling customer teams to take part in sprint and long-distance races under strictly limited regulations. The five-door Astra is powered by a highly efficient 2.0 liter turbocharged engine which the rulebook restricts to a maximum 330 hp and 410 Nm of torque. With a dry weight of only 1200 kg, more than enough performance for highly spectacular – affordable – motorsport.

!NEW! Successful race weekend: Opel at 16. Südsteiermark Classic

Last weekend ushered in the southern Styria Classic for already the sixteenth time a domestic classic car season. Around 160 teams from eight nations with their classic cars at the start, among them Opel Austria with five teams, which provided a perfect appearance.

Opel team in Südsteiermark Classic 2016: Opel GT, Opel Ascona A 400, Opel Commodore B GSE, Opel GT, Opel Kadett B

Not only Mag. Alexander Struckl, CEO Opel Austria was pleased with his 90 hp Opel GT from 1969 to contest the classic race, and Peter Christian Küspert, sales director of Opel Group, took the sport the cult model Opel Commodore B GSE challenge. A Opel Ascona Rallye and an Opel Kadett B Coupé Rallye, driven by Peter List, Chairman of Opel Partner teams (with co-pilot Markus Oppel, Sales Manager Opel Austria) thrilled the audience.

Peter List and Markus Oppel with the Opel Kadett B

Achievements for the Opel team

The Opel team can look back on a successful and successful race weekend. Ronny Rockenbauer could reach the first place in the team standings. Alexander Struckl took the 2nd place in class "Postwar" on the 2nd special stage and the 1st place in the SP 9 "Lödersdorf". Peter Christian Küspert emerged victorious in the team competition on the SP 15 "Einöd" forth.

"It is always a special experience to be in the southern Styria Classic with this. The special flair, the mixture of nostalgia and sporting ambition, and not least the wonderful scenery make this race every year so special. This year Südsteiermark Classic was perfectly complemented by the successes of the Opel team, "says Alexander Struckl, CEO Opel Austria.

One of the stops, lead the team well for Autohaus Opel Krammer in Gleisdorf. Longtime Opel dealer presented its business in a new light. Many guests enjoyed the afternoon sun and were visibly impressed by the new look of the traditional company Krammer.

Special Guest Walter Röhrl

A special guest, who is considered one of the most outstanding rally drivers in motor racing history, could be welcomed as a special guest. Synonyms like "Genius on Wheels" and "Rally driver of the century" show how inextricably Walter Röhrl is connected to the motor sport. Opel also has its history with Walter Röhrl. 1973 Röhrl first came to Opel, several victories in the same year could be celebrated. After switching to other brands Röhrl returned 1982 again back to Opel. The Opel Ascona 400 he won then his second Monte win.

Showpieces from the years 1909 to 1973

The range of exceptional classic cars in southern Styria Classic is remarkable. In the individual periods, the first ranges from about 1908-1935, the last of 1967-1972, vintage fans get their money. The oldest model, with a driver of Liechtenstein was launched was a "Lion Peugeot Racing voiturette" from 1909.

The southern Styria Classic - Every year a special race

The southern Styria Classic enthusiastic again this year participants and spectators alike. It is and remains a synonym for sports, scenic uniqueness, sociability and culinary enjoyment. Enthusiastic driver and front passenger, exceptional vintage, the blend of nostalgia and sporting ambition make Südsteiermark Classic one of the three most important classic car events in Austria. Starting and finishing in Gamlitz the classic car season has been also opened in 2016 in Austria.

!NEW! Opel Delights Visitors of 43rd Oldtimer Grand Prix

Historic racing cars from Rüsselsheim make the fans’ hearts beat faster 

The visitors of the Opel exhibition at the 43rd Oldtimer Grand Prix and the fans along the Nürburgring race circuit really got their money’s worth. Numerous Opel legends from the company’s 115 years of motorsport history were exhibited and thundered round the track on their demonstration laps.

Opel Motorsport legends: The renowned cars from Opel’s long history in circuit and rallye racing were on show and in action at the Nürburgring.

Opel CFO Michael Lohscheller also visited the Nürburgring and got behind the wheel of the Opel Manta A "24 hours Spa-Francorchamps" from 1974 for a lap. “The visitors are really enthusiastic when they see our racing circuit and rallye legends. This show of pure joy is something that will serve as additional motivation back in the office. Our brand really has deep roots in the population. This is even more proof that our ambition of being approachable, exciting and German is absolutely right,” said Lohscheller.

The Opel racing cars from all eras reminded some of the visitors of their own youth when Opel cars made rallye and racing circuit history. The ‘Black Widow’, a Rekord C touring car with 150 hp, gave many a Porsche driver a fright in the 1960s when the middle class car, normally reserved for families, suddenly appeared in the rear view mirror. The Ascona A designed for the Rallye World Championship was also a real winner and gave Opel its first ever win in a world championship round; Le Mans winner Joachim Winkelhock was behind the wheel at the Oldie GP and showed that he still has the special touch. The black and yellow Kadett C GT/E Coupé driven by legendary duo Walter Röhrl and Jochen Berger when they finished fourth at the 1976 Rallye Monte Carlo was also present. The car was nicknamed the ‘moral winner’ because it could only be beaten by three Lancia Stratos racing prototypes.

The equally impressive 1914 Green Monster, the biggest racing car ever built by Opel with a 12.3-liter four-cylinder engine with four-valve technology, was the center of attention at the exhibition in the paddock. The ADAM R2, the latest successful example of Opel’s motorsports pedigree, was also on show. Three weeks ago, Emil Bergkvist and co-driver Joakim Sjöberg steered the 190 hp rallye version of the lifestyle pocket rocket to FIA ERC Junior glory.

The Opel motorsports legends thundered around the track during the traditional demonstration laps on Saturday. A total of 11 cars left the marquee set up in the new paddock and were treated to enthusiastic applause from the thousands of fans lining the Nürburgring Grand Prix track.

!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