ADAC Rallye Deutschland / Rally review
Disaster strikes again!
Panzerplatte is the key to success in the
German WRC round is. But on the way
there from Trier the teams first have to
tackle the Stein und Wein and Peterberg stages. The sky is grey but initially
there is only little rain. The first loop
sees an attacking Sordo and Latvala.
Ogier mingles in the battle for fastest
times but is no contender in the fight
for the top. After the first Panzerplatte
stage Latvala, Neuville and Sordo
seem to be settling for their positions.
Just before the start of the second loop
there is an enormous shower flooding
the stages. When the top drivers have
started, it stops raining. Then Latvala
and Neuville are both caught by the
same muddy corner. They both slide off
the road. Latvala breaks his rear right
suspension and struggles to the end
of the stage where, right in front of the
Rally-eMag camera, he slides off into
the bushes ending his almost certain
chance of winning. Not far behind is
Thierry Neuville. The Belgian is struggling too but he can continue. After the
stage he just has to remove a log that’s
got stuck between his exhaust and the
Fiesta’s bodyshell. But at least he can
continue and take the lead as well!
However Sordo is in a winning mood
and takes control on the next stage,
but only by the smallest of margins (0.8
seconds). Sadly the second running of
Panzerplatte was cancelled due to a
fatal accident during the support programme. A Dutch team leaves the road
after the Gina jump. Their historic Triumph TR7 V8 is stopped buy a group
of trees, killing both team members on
the spot. It’s a really sad ending of an
exciting day of rallying.
Image: Steven van Veenendaal
Thrilling final
Only two stages to go and the first
strike is for Sordo. He can add 2.2
seconds to his 0.8 seconds lead. Five
kilometres before the finish of the second pass of Drohntal both drivers are
equal but the in a final attempt to win
Neuville slides off the road to make an
excursion through the vines to re-join
the route a little further. So it’s Sordo
who in front of a large fanbase including father mother and brother, takes his
very first WRC win. Neuville is relieved
of his burden and can laugh again. “At
least I tried,” is his comment leaning
over the roof of his Fiesta that is covered in vines, showing the signs of his
earlier excursion.
In a close battle with Sordo and Latvala, Neuville went off and had to drag a log
through part of the stage.
While Neuville and Latvala faltered, Sordo kept his cool under immense pressure
to perform. His victory was incredibly well deserved.
14/52
In position to take his first tarmac win Latvala went off and had to leave his car in
the bushes, another costly mistake by the Finn.
Image: Steven van Veenendaal