While most people have already winterized their classic and vintage cars, the rally drivers of the Youngtimer Trophy and the Youngtimer Rallye Trophy are once again on the attack and set off for the starting ramp at the Cologne-Ahrweiler Rally.
Impressive starting field
No fewer than five former overall winners lined up at the start for the fast drive through the Eifel forests. In addition to the multiple winner Berlandy in an Opel Ascona A, the reigning champion of the Youngtimer Rally Trophy and winner of the 2010 edition, Paul Jerlitschka, will also be competing.
A year ago, the likeable man from Remscheid switched from the tried-and-tested Ford Escort RS 2000 to the more modern Ford Sierra 2WD, which he is getting to grips with better and better. Darius Drzensla, winner in 2006 and 2007, is unable to start despite having registered because the car was not ready.
Oliver Rohde, the surprise winner of the 2007 edition, must be seen as a candidate for victory in his Porsche 924 Carrera GT, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Stefan Schlesack, then still in a Ford Escort RS 2000, was able to add his name to the list of Cologne-Ahrweiler winners with brother-in-law Jörg Ramme in 1998. In 2012, the two will compete in the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Gr. A.
Although Dominik an der Heiden's last victory was many years ago, he can still be expected to set fast times in his Porsche 911 RSR.
Advance cars awaken nostalgic memories
No fewer than 35 historic advance cars entertain the audience. From the Fiat 500 from 1966 to the VW Beetle 1303 from 1973, from the Group B Audi Quattro A2 with Rainer Lohr at the wheel to the "Bastos" Porsche 911 SC-RS from 1984, also from Group B, the spectrum of rally gems ranges. Peter Schlömer, the organization manager of the successful Eifel Rallye Festival in Daun, will also be competing in a 1982 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus.
Proven route with a twist
The 41st edition of the Cologne-Ahrweiler Rally in 2012 has no Nordschleife and a short prologue on Friday evening. The first leg on Friday should not be underestimated, as the start takes place in complete darkness and a good result is important for an advantageous starting position on Saturday. It is important to find the right mix between arriving safely and setting a fast time so that you do not run into slower cars on the circuit on Saturday.
Once again, the first leg in the dark is a highlight and a major challenge for the rally crews, as visibility is poor and braking points are difficult to find.
The surprise on Friday evening is the BMW 318iS of Günther Werner with start number 72. He finished in 10th position, which can be considered a great achievement given the low power output of 150 hp. Bieg/Birkholz in the BMW 320is Italo-M3 were also strong in 4th place.
Adverse weather conditions
The traditional rally is once again characterized by typical Eifel weather. After dry weather on Saturday morning, rain set in in the afternoon and the scenery darkened early. A lack of track knowledge can quickly become a disadvantage.
Visibility is still good on SS 2 and 3 in the morning, but the road soon becomes damp and many drivers gamble with their tire choice.
A close duel develops between Berlandy and Werner. Although Werner's Audi 85 with Quattro drive has clear traction advantages on the gravel sections, Berlandy's rear-wheel drive Ascona proves to be superior on the narrow country roads and hairpin bends.
Walter Gromöller, in his Opel Ascona 400, was caught out as early as SS2, deforming the bodywork of his Group 4 racer in an accident, but was able to continue after repairs and started a successful race to catch up, which took him up to third place overall.
A delight for fans of skillful drifting is Edwin Wolfe's drive, who forces his Opel Kadett Rallye ultraquer through the corners.
From SS 4 and 5 onwards, the fog reduces visibility, especially in the high areas around the north and south loops and in the Eifel village of Reifferscheid. At times you can barely see 50 meters.
After the lunch break, heavy rain sets in in places, and without rain tires you quickly lose valuable seconds or even minutes in these conditions.
An der Heiden has to lay down his arms in SS 7, a technical defect prevents the Porsche 911 RSR from continuing.
In addition to fog and rain, darkness was added as an aggravating condition from the third-to-last special stage onwards, and it was now that the wheat was separated from the chaff.
With inferior material
Matthias Kahle is clearly underpowered. The seven-time German Rally Champion has just 130 hp at his disposal in the Skoda RS 130, and he also has to do without power steering. After stage 1, Kahle says: "We first have to get used to the car, our car only has 1300cc. It was quite a struggle up the hill in the first stage. Now we'll see what we can do tomorrow."
A top position is never in the realm of possibility, but he still finishes the rally in 16th place, his average speed just 10 km/h below the average speed of the winner. After crossing the finish line, Kahle says: "This was an exciting and enjoyable rally. We have gained a lot of experience here in our first best time rally with the Skoda 130 RS. We are now trying to put the knowledge we have gained into practice. We are quite satisfied for today."
Good atmosphere among the audience at the finish
As always, the finish over the ramp in the Ahr valley in Mayschoss is well attended despite the bad weather. The atmosphere is good. A spectator favorite is the 300 hp Opel Commodore A from Hainbach/Windt. But everyone who reaches the finish line receives well-deserved applause.
Serial winner back in the lead
Georg Berlandy adds another victory to his previous seven. After four victories in the Opel Ascona B 400, he is now successful for the fourth time in the older Opel Ascona A. "Georg probably drove the rally of his life here today in these difficult conditions," said his visibly moved co-driver Peter Schaaf (Mayen), who also celebrated his fifth triumph on the Ahr. On the finish ramp in Mayschoß, the lead over second-placed Anton Werner (Altfraunhofen) and Ralph Edelmann (Mühldorf) was more than a minute after 150 kilometers of special stages and a total driving time of 1:25:15.1. Happy winner Berlandy said: "I don't know what to say, I'm just speechless. Everything was just perfect, many thanks to Peter and my great team."
Küke/Carl in the Kremer Racing Porsche RS finished fourth behind Gromöller/Brökelmann in the Opel Asona 400, followed by Oberdürster/Heupel in the Porsche 911 Carrera and Lenarz/Rittenbruch in the Opel Kadett C Coupé.
Wolves/Ter Maat win the RKA Gold Cup in the Opel Kadett Rallye. Potthast/Pernsch are the winners of the overall Youngtimer Rally Trophy.
See you next year
The Cologne-Ahrweiler Rally has once again lived up to its name as a legendary season finale. Many participants were already announcing their participation in next year's classic around the Ahr and Eifel when they crossed the finish line, naturally with the intention of finally breaking Berlandy's winning streak next year.
