Internationales Feld im ADAC Opel Electric Cup 2024 / Rallye

Five female pilots compete against their male counterparts. DTM champion Timo Scheider joins the electric sport for the second time.

The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” is impressive and well placed at the start of its fourth season. 15 of the 100 kW (136 hp) Corsa Rally Electric are registered for this year’s opening on May 3 and 4 at the ADAC Actronics Rally Sulingen (Lower Saxony). The field of participants in the world’s first and only one-man cup rally is impressive with its international diversity. Athletes from eight different nations, including a total of 14 women, are at the start. A total of ten new teams – including four female crews – bring a breath of fresh air to the electric competition.

As part of its Academy funding program, the French racing association FFSA is once again using two Corsa Rally Electrics, this year with Emma Chalvin/Emy Ailloud-Perraud and Alizée Pottier/Joanna Verdier. Also as part of promoting young talent, the Royal Belgian Automobile Sports Association RACB, in collaboration with Opel Belgium, is bringing one of the electric speed cars to Lyssia Baudet/Pauline Denis. Also Steffe and co-pilot Nina Spitaler represent Austria, while German Ann Felke relies on male co-driver, Maximilian Kugler.

The ever-growing international interest in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is also reflected in commitments from the Netherlands and Spain. The Royal Netherlands Automobile Sports Association (KNAF) is using the cup as a platform for the in-depth investigation of young talents, where three young people will be used this season. 19-year-old Fabian Kamermans hails from Sulingen. Another car joins the electric power from the Iberian Peninsula and with the help of Opel Spain, whose crew will be mentioned soon.

As always, the Austrian group continues to be strong. With Alfred Kramer, Pia Steffe and Luca Pröglhöf, three drivers from the Alpine country are involved in the exciting rush. Pröglhöf in particular has been one of the favourites, and not only since his first Cup race victory as part of the Central European Championship 2023. With high ambitions, Bendegúz Hangodi makes his debut in the ADAC Cup Opel Electric Rally Cup. Hungary’s Corsa Rally Electric is also used by Stohl Racing.

With high expectations: DTM champion Timo Scheider makes another guest appearance

Apart from Pröglhöf, only the Germans Christian Lemke and Johannes Wittenbeck as well as the Alsatian Anthony Rott already have experience in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. And then of course there is Timo Scheider. The 45-year-old DTM champion from 2008 and 2009 and former Opel driver is making his second appearance in the Corsa Rally Electric at the ADAC Actronics Rallye Sulingen – and with plenty of ambition. At his first rally in 2021 as part of the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg, the circuit ace shone with an impressive fifth place.

“The good development of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup continues in its fourth year. The field of participants is as interesting as the calendar,” says Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott. “The international awareness of our project is constantly increasing. The interest from all over Europe shows that we are on the right track with our innovative concept. Unique development opportunities for our members also contribute to this. With Calle Carlberg and Timo Schulz, the 2023 and 2022 Cup champions will start in the highly competitive European Junior Championship this season. With the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, strong partners Opel and ADAC offer young rally talents a unique platform – and this year’s field proves that the main players also see it that way.

The TV channel n-tv will show a preview of the ADAC Actronics Rally Sulingen on Sunday, May 5, at 11:15 am and 7:15 pm in a 30-minute magazine.