The 14th edition of the ADAC Eifel Rallye Festival, held from July 23 to 25, 2026, was once again a true festival weekend, with tens of thousands of fans lining the demonstration routes “Even on the connecting roads, many fans and residents celebrated along the roadside and cheered each and every one of us on,” the participants reported. “Here, everyone is part of the rally family, regardless of language, nationality, or past achievements,” said Arnd Bleymeyer and Dana Pees-Schattner, who raved about the fans’ enthusiasm while driving their 1981 Group 4 BMW 323i.
60 Years of Rally History
Reinhard Klein, head of Slowly Sideways and responsible for the starting grid as part of the organizing team, offered a positive assessment: “We were able to showcase a span of 60 years of automotive rally history. With engine outputs ranging from about 40 to 600 PS, there were significant differences in speed. But what makes our festival field special is that everyone drives together, respects one another, and gives each other space. That’s great entertainment for the fans. The driving style isn’t always perfect, but it’s beautiful.”
Group B Almost Complete
One of the many highlights was the first-ever gathering of all the major players from the Group B era. “Forty years after Group B was banned, we had one example of every important car from that era. The hidden star was the Citroën BX4TC, of which there are only four in the world, and only one of those is still running,” explained Klein. But Enda Garvey’s BX4TC, which hadn’t been driven in 40 years, broke down shortly after the start. A component of the hydraulic system that regulates the car’s ground clearance failed to function.
Ernst Kopp’s equally original Group B Toyota Celica suffered clutch damage late Friday. The former workshop manager for the Toyota and Hyundai World Championship teams immediately drove home to the Westerwald, fabricated the necessary replacement part, made the repair overnight, and was back at the starting line on Saturday!
Stig Blomqvist at the Start
World Champion Stig Blomqvist himself led the parade of ten cars from his long career. He has been a regular guest in Daun for 13 years now. “As long as it’s at all possible, I’ll always be happy to come back here. It gives me immense pleasure.” Seppo Harjanne, World Champion in 1985, 1996, and 1997, was impressed during his first visit to Daun: “So many fans lining the tracks and such perfect organization. The amazing cars remind me of my active days—it’s simply wonderful. From here, I’m off to the World Championship round in Finland and then some fishing,” he added with a wink.
Two-time German Rally Champion Ruben Zeltner loves the Eifel Rally Festival: “We’re driving here for the fans—spectacularly and as sideways as possible. This year, I want to beat my ‘handbrake record’ from last year, pull the lever even more often, and take the corners sideways.”
Best Fan Photo
Andi Bachmeier, Head of Motorsports at the ADAC in Munich, attended the festival for the first time. “Rally racing, in particular, thrives on its past. Seeing the old cars here really warms your heart. It’s unbelievable what these guys have pulled off here.” Every year, the fan photo contest brings a wide variety of fascinating images to light.
Whether it’s action on the track, special details in the paddock, emotional moments along the track, or unusual angles—we’re looking for photos that capture the festival’s unique character. Under the direction of iconic photographer Reinhard (Mc)Klein, the best shots will be awarded prizes. And the best part: the winners can look forward to valuable prizes. All the details and the rules for participation are available here.
