With a commanding performance and thanks to perfect tire choice, Fabian Kamermans secured his first victory in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSE” at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg. After twelve special stages covering around 108 kilometers, the Dutchman and his co-driver Stefan Müller finished 11.1 seconds ahead of the German duo Kilian Nierenz and Milena Raithel. The Bavarians, for their part, were only 1.7 seconds ahead of Spaniards Alex “Sito” Español and Borja Odriozola. This increased Español's lead in the overall standings over Belgian Tom Heindrichs by eight points. The brother of World Rally Champion Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Jonas Schmitz came in fourth in the asphalt rally around Lübbecke.
At the season finale from October 16 to 19 as part of the Central European Rally, which counts for the World Rally Championship, three drivers still have a chance of winning the title: Español leads Heindrichs by twelve points, while Nierenz, 29 points behind, must hope that his rivals fail to finish. A maximum of 35 points are still up for grabs at the World Championship round around Passau.
A preliminary decision on the victory in the ADAC Rally Stemweder Berg, which was part of the German Rally Championship, was already made in the third special stage on Friday evening. Kamermans/Müller were the only ones in the field who had the right instinct and put their Corsa Rally Electric on rain tires. Promptly, it began to pour just before the start of the stage, whereupon the Dutch pair put the next fastest, Nierenz/Raithel, 18.6 seconds behind them and confidently took the lead.
But Kamermans didn't just sit on his lead, instead consolidating it with three more stage wins. Only in the final loop on Saturday afternoon the Dutch Motorsport Association (KNAF) sponsored driver eased off the pace a little and even forewent any bonus points in the final Power Stage: "The first victory feels great. Of course, the perfect tire choice on Friday evening played into our hands. It was clear that we had to stay focused and keep attacking. We had a real big moment in the second stage on Saturday morning, but then we approached the rest of the rally as if it had just begun. That was the key to this victory, which I am very happy about. After the last rally, where pretty much everything went wrong, coming here and winning is just great."
Even though his chances of winning the title are now only mathematical, Kilian Nierenz was very satisfied with second place, his fourth podium finish of the season: “We got off to a perfect start in the rally with two fastest times. The rain on Friday evening took us by surprise, just like everyone else except Fabi. He was simply smarter. I made a few mistakes on the second day, so we're all the more delighted with this second place. It was close, it was exciting, and it was great fun again. Our goal now is to secure third place overall in the final.”
Alex Español, who finished third, set three stage best times, including the final Power Stage, and was delighted with his increased lead in the overall standings: "We didn't have the best start to this rally. Like most of the others, we got our tires wrong on Friday evening. So the plan for the second day was clear: go on the attack and score as many points as possible. That worked out great, and the fact that we were able to win the Power Stage at the end and take the five bonus points gave us a little more breathing room in the standings. Nevertheless, we will go into the Central European Rally fully focused, as we have done in all the rallies so far. Because that's the only way to win in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup."
Tom Heindrichs, who traveled to Lübbecke in poor health and complained of severe headaches, especially on Friday, suffered a minor setback after three consecutive victories in northern Germany and now faces a big challenge in the season finale in three weeks: "It was a difficult rally for us, and my poor health also affected our preparations. But I'm not someone who looks for excuses. I have to admit that I'm not particularly good at these long straights with the subsequent turns; others are better at that. We have already shown this year that we can dominate and win rallies, and that's also the plan for the CER. Twelve points behind Sito is a lot. I'm focusing on repeating last year's victory; the rest is out of our hands."
With his victory, Kamermans moved past Christian Lemke into fourth place in the overall standings. The North German and his co-driver Jennifer Gräfe were slowed down by a transmission problem in SS9, but got back into the action in the last two stages and finished in tenth place, securing a bonus point with fifth place in the Power Stage.
ADAC Sports President thrilled, Fabian Vettel excited
As part of the development program, Opel racing legend Volker Strycek once again drove the new 281 hp Opel Mokka GSE Rally as the lead car over the special stages of the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg. The electric powerhouse is the first rally car developed in accordance with the FIA eRally5 regulations, which will come into force in 2026.
For the second time after the 2024 Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, Dr. Gerd Ennser took part in a cup race. Alternating with his son Fabian, the ADAC Sports President drove a Corsa Rally Electric as the lead car and clearly enjoyed himself: “I think the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is a unique event. It is important for the ADAC that electrification in motorsport progresses. I have been a big rally fan since my youth and am always thrilled when I have the opportunity to actively participate in a rally car myself. I am no longer as competitive as the young guys – but it's still great fun!”
Three weeks from now, a prominent guest driver will also be focusing primarily on having fun. Fabian Vettel (26) will make his rally debut at the season finale of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. The brother of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel will share the Corsa Rally Electric with experienced co-driver Gino Kruhs at the Central European Rally.
Standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSE” after 6 of 7 rounds:
1. Español 172 points. 2. Heindrichs 160. 3. Nierenz 143. 4. Kamermans 121. 5. Lemke 109. 6. Neulinger 88. 7. Wittenbeck 71. 8. Rott 63. 9. Jungnickel 57. 10. Eertmans 52. 11. Steitz 42.
