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• Electric action: Sixth rally of the season on September 26 and 27 at Stemweder Berg
• Exciting battle: Alex Español and Tom Heindrichs only separated by four points
• OMG! GSE moments: New Opel Mokka GSE Rally once again in action

The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ has never been so close. After five of seven races, the two leaders of the overall standings are separated by just four points. After his victories in the two opening events, Spaniard Alex "Sito" Español still leads the pack, but with three wins on the bounce, Belgian Tom Heindrichs has moved closer and closer to the Opel España driver. This means that the penultimate round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup next weekend at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg may be of decisive importance: Can one of the two title rivals gain a lead before the season finale at the Central European Rally? Or – and this is more likely to be the case – can fans expect a real heart-stopping finale as part of the World Rally Championship round around Passau?

Especially since three other drivers still have at least mathematical chances of winning the title in the world’s first electric rally one-make cup: Germans Kilian Nierenz and Christian Lemke are still within striking distance, 30 and 43 points behind Español respectively. Dutchman Fabian Kamermans has 54 points to catch up on the overall leader. With a maximum of 70 points still up for grabs, this is a difficult, but not impossible task. In any case, all three drivers want to use the asphalt chase around Lübbecke to reduce the gap to the leaders.

Elsewhere, Austrian Marcel Neulinger, who is getting better and better, and the Frenchman Anthony Rott could also tip the scales in the battle for the championship as both are talented enough to challenge for the podium and take valuable points away from the leaders. Rott seemed to be haunted by bad luck this season, but recently registered his long overdue first podium finish of the season at the Mont-Blanc Morzine Rally.

Volker Strycek once again takes charge of Opel Mokka GSE Rally

In addition to the Opel Corsa Rally Electric competing in the competition, the Opel Mokka GSE Rally will also be in action at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg. As part of the development programme, Opel racing legend Volker Strycek will once again pilot the 207 kW (281 hp) newcomer as the advance vehicle. The electric powerhouse is the first rally car currently being developed according to the FIA eRally5 regulations, which come into force in 2026.

The pacey electric cars have to cope with a total of twelve special stages over 108 kilometres at the ADAC Rallye Stemweder Berg. The start will take place on Friday (26.9.) from 17:10 CEST with four special stages, the last two of which will be completed in the dark. It is not until 22:36 CEST. that the Corsa Rally Electric cars will roll into the parc fermé. On Saturday, the first special stage will start at 8:05 CEST. The finish line is expected to be reached at 18:24 CEST on Saturday evening.

Rally fans who can not follow the action live can stay up-to-date via live timing on www.adac.de/motorsport or www.opel-motorsport.com .

Standings ACAC Opel Electric Rally Cup ‘powered by GSE’ after 5 of 7 rounds:

1. Español                        145 points
2. Heindrichs                    141 points
3. Nierenz                        115 points
4. Lemke                         102 points
5. Kamermans                  91 points
6. Neulinger                     70 points
7. Wittenbeck                   59 points
8. Jungnickel                    49 points
9. Rott                             44 points
10. Steitz and Eertmans    both 42 points