Mont-Blanc Rally: Opel Corsa Rally Electric in Front Alpine Backdrop

 

• Around Morzine: Fifth round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ on September 5 and 6
• Three-way battle at the top: Alex Español leads just ahead of Tom Heindrichs and Kilian Nierenz

The Mont-Blanc Morzine Rally is a highlight in the calendar of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’. For the fourth time, the teams will compete in their 100 kW (136 hp) Opel Corsa Rally Electric and take on the demanding special stages at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps next weekend. In addition to the fantastic panorama and the difficult asphalt tracks, the Mont-Blanc Rally impresses with its unique ambience. Every year, more than 250 rally vehicles transform the winter sports resort of Morzine into a huge rally service park.

The competition ahead of the fifth round of the world's first electric rally one-make cup could hardly be more exciting. After two consecutive victories at the Vosges Grand-Est Rally and the ADAC Saarland-Pfalz Rally, Tom Heindrichs and his co-driver Jonas Schmitz have significantly upped the pressure on the championship leaders Alex "Sito" Español/Borja Odriozola. After four of seven races, the Spaniard's lead over the Belgian pursuer has melted to eight points. Germans Kilian Nierenz/Milena Raithel, a duo that has impressed in its first full Cup season with three podium finishes, is also in striking distance only another six points behind Heindrichs/Schmitz. Although a total of 105 points are still up for grabs in the three remaining races, none of the title contenders can afford any slip-ups.

A total of nine special stages over a distance of around 129 kilometres will have to be completed on the two days of the rally (5 and 6 September). The course leads steeply up and downhill with fast, difficult passages that demand everything from the cockpit crews. It starts on Friday at 8:58 CEST with six special stages. The long first day of the rally is not over until shortly before 20:00 CEST. The next day, three more tests await the field. The final ‘Power Stage’ will start at 14:39 CEST, before the pacey electric cars roll over the finish ramp in Morzine at around 16:00 CEST. As in previous years, rally organiser Philippe Vanesse will also chauffeur guests around the stages in an Opel Corsa rally taxi.

Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 4 of 7 rounds:

1. Español                 115 points

2. Heindrichs             107 points

3. Nierenz                  101 points

4. Lemke                   86 points

5. Kamermans                      79 points

6. Neulinger               48 points

7. Wittenbeck            47 points

8. Jungnickel             44 points

9. Eertmans               36 points

10. Steitz                    34 points

11. Rott                      21 points