The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe" had a perfect start to the season at the ADAC Actronics Rally Sulingen. The 14 teams from seven nations offered gripping rallying in their 136-hp Opel Corsa Rally Electric with several lead changes and a hot fight between the Cup routiniers and the ambitious newcomers.

In the end, Max Reiter, an old Cup hand, prevailed. The rally got off to a less than ideal start for the 23-year-old from the Saarland when he suffered a puncture on the first special stage in the treacherous Eickhofer Heide (formerly IVG grounds), a former munitions depot. However, Reiter and his co-driver Conny Nemenich then turned up the heat, took command from SS6 onwards and finally clinched victory with their fourth best time in the eleventh and final stage. "After the time loss in SS1, there was no point in tactics, so we went on the attack, especially on the long stage in the IVG area. That worked out great. I'm delighted that it worked out," said the runner-up in 2021 and third overall in 2022.

While Terence Callea (France), Luca Pröglhöf (Austria), Calle Carlberg (Sweden) and Cristiana Oprea (Romania) also suffered punctures in the opening special stage, Sarah Rumeau took advantage of the situation and set the first best stage time by a woman since the foundation of the ADAC Opel Rally Cup in 2013.

The 27-year-old Frenchwoman subsequently demonstrated that the best time was by no means a flash in the pan, and was consistently among the best in the FFSA Academy's Corsa Rally Electric. In the end, the two-time French Rally Champion finished in a highly regarded fifth place alongside co-driver Julie Amblard. "We actually managed better in the adverse external conditions yesterday than we did today. I still have to learn how to move the Corsa Rally Electric fastest on dry asphalt and take the most speed out of the corners," said Rumeau. "Overall, though, I'm happy with our debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup. Now we will continue to fine-tune the details to be even further ahead."

After their problems in SS1, Callea and Reiter set off in pursuit of the Frenchwoman. The first lead change finally occurred on the fifth special stage when the strong rookie Callea pushed past his compatriot to take the lead. In the end, the Saintéloc driver finished in second place together with co-driver Enzo Mahinc - all the more remarkable given that the 26-year-old has only been rallying since 2020. Meanwhile, Callea has already demonstrated his enormous potential by winning the FFSA's "Rallye Jeunes" young talent competition, which has already produced rally idols such as Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier. "It was a very challenging rally, not least given the lousy weather on the first day. But I love it very much. I still lack experience to be able to go to the limit in all conditions. But the start was pretty okay."

Last year's Cup runner-up Calle Carlberg, as always at the behest of his father Torbjörn, also recovered after the bad luck in SS1, was fastest a total of three times and secured the final podium position on the last two stages. The one to suffer was Christian Lemke, who nevertheless left a very strong impression. The 22-year-old local hero from Martfeld was among the front-runners from the start and advanced to third place with the fastest time in SS6 (at the same time as Carlberg). In the end, Lemke and co Stephan Schneeweiß ended up in 4th position.

Meanwhile, Luca Pröglhöf and co-driver Christina Ettel fell back hopelessly after another puncture, as did Joe Baur/Fabian Peter and Johannes Wittenbeck/Christian Koke with harmless but very time-consuming slips in SS4. Baur and Pröglhöf, meanwhile, showed their talent by finishing 2nd and 3rd behind Carlberg in the "Power Stage" (SS10).

"That was electric rallying at its best," Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott was pleased on Saturday evening. "We had no technical problems at all on our Corsa Rally Electric, and the field was tighter than ever. I was especially thrilled by the great performance of Sarah Rumeau. In general: Teams from seven nations, three pure women's teams and all very close together - we have a great group at the start. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."

For the second round of the 2023 ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup "powered by GSe", the nippy electric cars will meet for the first time in Switzerland on June 2-3 at the Rallye du Chablais around Aigle. 

Points standings ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2023 (after 1 of 8 runs): 1. Reiter, 30 points. 2. Callea and Carlberg, 27. 4. Lemke 20. 5. Rumeau 16. 6. Pröglhöf 15. 7. Van Hoof 14. 8. Rott 10. 9. Tarta and Baur, 8. 11. Gudet 6. 12. Oprea 5. 13. Wittenbeck 3.