Whilst the event is run in the German summertime, meaning temperatures can be 20 degrees Celsius or more, the mountainous surroundings of Eifel and Hunsruck ranges make for sporadic and sudden rainfall. The slick nature of the roads holds water, so they become very greasy very quickly. With fast-starting stages and low tyre temperatures for the first few corners, the risk of sliding off the road is ever-present.
For the most part, the stages are the same as last year and so the drivers will be treading familiar ground. The largest changes focus on reversing stages and running them in the opposite direction, with only a few entirely new sections introduced.
The 19 stages total 352 competitive kilometres, and are preceded by a ceremonial start at the UNESCO World heritage site of Trier’s Porta Nigra on Thursday night. The event is brought to a conclusion with a spectator super special stage in the same location.
FIA World Rally Championship news:
Mikko Hirvonen remains in the lead in the race for the 2008 drivers' title despite having to settle for the runners-up spot on his home event two weeks ago in Finland. However with
Sebastien Loeb winning the '1000 Lakes' the Frenchman has cut the gap from 3 points to just 1.
Chris Atkinson and Dani Sordo meanwhile moved up to third and fourth in the standings following round 9, with
Jari-Matti Latvala dropping to fifth.
In the Manufacturers' championship the
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT continues to lead, although
Citroen reduced the deficit from 9 points to 3.
Pre-event quotes:
Mikko Hirvonen [BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT]:
"Road conditions are the single most important factor on this rally. If the weather is dry then it's an enjoyable event with some fast and flowing stages. But if it rains the roads can be treacherous. The rain is often localised as well which would make it difficult to judge what compound of tyres to use. It's good to be first in the start order here, although on asphalt the advantages and disadvantage aren’t as great as on gravel. The first cars pull mud and dirt onto the road so it makes it harder for those lower down the order. It’s good to test just before the rally, especially after a fast, smooth gravel event like Finland. Baumholder is always rough and bumpy, while the Mosel stages are fast and the car can bounce around a lot. So it's good to get used to these conditions in advance."
Sebastien Loeb [Citroen Total WRT]:
"Following our win in Finland, on the home soil of our main rivals, we have no intention of letting them strike back on an event that has always been favourable to us. I have tended to enjoy a certain amount of success on the Rallye Deutschland, but it has never been an easy event to win. It has often been a very close run thing. I am looking forward to this year's visit to Germany because we will no doubt have lots of supporters there. However, it's a rally that calls for great caution because the stages can be extremely treacherous. We will be looking to win; not to take our score to seven consecutive wins in Trier but because that would be give our chances in both championships a big boost. The Citroën C4 is very competitive on this sort of terrain and we will endeavour to make the most of that. We will also face the delights of tyre choices for the first time in quite a while. I don't know how big an effect that will have on the way the event unfolds, but we will do our best to make the right calls every time."
Chris Atkinson [Subaru WRT]:
"We were fast in Germany last year, but this year we have a new car on new tyres and the first rally on tarmac so it’s hard to know where we are speed-wise. The test there went well, and if we can carry the same form we had last year it would be good. It was great in Finland to get a podium as our first points-score with the new car, as it does build confidence – the more time you spend in the car the more confident you get with it. We will go there pushing hard and get a gauge of our performance, and then see how we go from there, but I’m looking forward to it."
