The Portuguese round of the World Rally Championship provided a promising foretaste of what fans will be able to experience at the ADAC Eifel Rallye Festival from July 21-23, 2022. The FIA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the World Rally Championship with a host of celebrities. Right in the middle of it all: Selected historic vehicles from Slowly Sideways, which are otherwise on the road in the Eifel. The 16 teams started ahead of the WRC field on the three spectator stages and impressed the numerous fans with a gala visual and acoustic performance during their demonstration drives.
Five teams were then allowed to contest the legendary Fafe stage with the giant jump for the finale directly in front of the WRC, including live TV coverage and a finish line interview. "Fafe, this is sacred rally ground, a great classic," beamed Fred Walter afterwards, who was there with co-driver Klaus Hucke in the 1975 Lancia Stratos. "It was a unique experience to be part of this anniversary. The enthusiasm for our sport was huge, even on the liaison stages there were fans everywhere." Hyundai's WRC star Thierry Neuville also showed his enthusiasm: "It was fantastic that the old cars were there this weekend and that the fans were so enthusiastic. That should be the case at every WRC round."
This performance heightens the anticipation for the anniversary festival in the Vulkaneifel. At the tenth edition of the largest rally museum on wheels, the focus will be on the 50th anniversary of the WRC. The entry list had to be closed early, as the maximum possible 150 vehicles were quickly reached and the waiting list is also full to bursting. "The fans can look forward to an exciting and varied entry list with automotive contemporary witnesses from five decades of the World Rally Championship," says Reinhard Klein (Cologne), who is responsible for the composition of the starting field. The WRC photographer also coordinated the historic demonstration drives for the FIA in Portugal. One thing is already certain: If you want to experience the complete history of 50 years of the WRC live, you should come to Daun in July.
More top teams at the start
Finn Harri Toivonen and co-driver Cedric Wrede will be making a special appearance in Daun. Their start in the Lancia Delta S4 will be accompanied by two TV teams, each of which will be filming a movie about Harri and his brother Henri, who was killed in an accident in 1986. The start in Daun will almost be a home game for WRC star Thierry Neuville. The Belgian will be driving a Peugeot 306 Maxi to the delight of the fans.
Fabrizia Pons, who took the wheel herself before her time as Michéle Mouton's co-driver, also celebrates a reunion. In the Opel Kadett GT/E of the Italian tuner Conrero Squadra Corse, she finished third in class and ninth overall at the 1978 Sanremo Rally. Dutchman Ton Scheepers bought this Kadett, restored it to its original 1978 condition and is now letting Fabrizia Pons take the wheel again. "It's a strange feeling to be allowed to sit in this car again. I have a lot of respect for it, but also a lot of anticipation," explains Pons. "Above all, though, I'm looking forward to a weekend where I'll meet lots of friends."
Kenyan Mike Kirkland is an avowed fan of the Eifel Rallye Festival and attends whenever possible. This time he is driving the Nissan 240RS in which he competed in the 1983 Safari Rally as a works driver. Three of the original Nissans were found in Kenya in 2008 and completely restored. Owner Achim Loth will guide Kirkland along the Eifel trails.
The Group 2 Toyota Corolla that Roger Andersson is bringing to Daun has a unique history. His late father Ove Andersson celebrated his first WRC success as head of the newly founded Toyota Team Europe (TTE) at the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in 1975 with this vehicle, driven by Hannu Mikkola at the time.
"We are in promising talks with other top teams and I am sure that we will soon be able to present our fans with more highly regarded participants and vehicles," said a delighted Otmar Anschütz (Daun), head of organization.
Spectacular on the road: the advance car squad
They are the absolute lateral movers in the field and whet the appetite for more. The advance car squad, led by Jürgen Lenarz, deputy chairman of the organizing MSC Daun, gets the fans in the mood for the historic field. Their vehicles do not have to comply with the strict historical rules of the main field, but they also guarantee a visual and acoustic treat.
Sascha Winter, who drives a BMW M3 with his co-driver Christian Schwindt, is a regular at the "crossover drivers". "I appreciate the relaxed and beautiful atmosphere of the festival. It is unique that cars from all nations and eras come together here that are no longer seen in rallying," says the prowin Managing Director, looking forward to the event. "Not only do I get my money's worth as a fan of historic vehicles, but I can also enjoy the atmosphere of the festival as an active participant. The focus is on having fun, without looking at the clock or the ranking, but always as spectacular as possible for the spectators. For real rally fans, it is a must to come to Daun to experience the action of these rarities up close." There is little to add to this.
The "Eifel Rallye Festival" timetable
Thursday, 21.07.2022
15:00 - 19:00: Shakedown in Bodenbach
from 20:30 : Welcome evening in the rally mile Open-air rally cinema with cult filmmaker Helmut Deimel
Friday, 22.07.2022
From 08:00 am : Vehicle scrutineering, rally mile in Daun
11:00 - 12:00: Autograph session with many stars
From 14:20: Peugeot Super Stage with gravel sections between Demerath and Steineberg
from 19:30: proWIN spectator circuit Demerath-Winkel by night
Saturday, 23.07.2022
08:30 - 17:00 : Asphalt tests in the Vulkaneifel
in between: Daun rally mile with many attractions
from 19:30: Rally party with awards ceremony and prize-giving
Further information can be found on the organizer's website.
