Early decision in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022

• Timo Schulz clinches title win with victory in Rally Mont-Blanc Morzine
• Max Reiter and Calle Carlberg battle for runner-up spot in season finale
• Opel CEO Florian Hüttl sees exciting rally sport during his visit to Mont Blanc

Rüsselsheim/Munich. In front of the eyes of Opel CEO Florian Huettl, Timo Schulz left nothing to chance in the French debut of the world's first electric rally one-make cup and clinched an early title win in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022 with a commanding victory in the Rally Mont-Blanc Morzine. After eight special stages over almost 130 kilometers, the 23-year-old from Siersburg alongside his co-driver Pascal Raabe won by 29.7 seconds ahead of his Swedish Schmack Motorsport teammates Calle and Torbjörn Carlberg. In third place, Max Reiter with co-driver Lina Meter at his side forfeited the last remaining chance of winning the title.

"It's unbelievable, I'm delighted," beamed Schulz at the finish. "We started cautiously at this demanding rally in order to find a good rhythm. Then on Saturday it went perfectly, we were able to attack without taking too many risks." Indeed, Schulz/Raabe were the fastest in no fewer than six special stages, including the final "Power Stage" (SS8). At the finish in Morzine, Schulz was overjoyed: "I dreamt of winning the title at the start of the season. Really having won it now makes this dream come true!"

Behind Calle Carlberg, who set the other two best SS times, Max Reiter celebrated a bittersweet podium finish: "This is certainly a success in this difficult rally, but on the other hand we would have liked to keep the title fight open until the final, which was already a difficult task after the recent bad luck at the ADAC Saarland-Pfalz Rally. Congratulations to Timo, who was very strong again here and is certainly a worthy champion," said the 22-year-old from Dillingen in fair congratulations. At the season finale in mid-October, Carlberg and Reiter, separated by just two points, will fight for the runner-up championship in the 2022 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup.

With fourth place at the finish, Marijan Griebel celebrated a strong "debut" in the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup in his guest appearance in the VIP car of TotalEnergies. Whereas the 33-year-old from Hahnweiler, as a test and development driver for Opel Motorsport, naturally has plenty of experience in the Corsa-e Rally. "But I haven't been in this car for so long now that the changeover took a little time," admitted the two-time Junior European Champion and German Champion, who contested the asphalt chase at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps alongside co-driver Natalie Solbach-Schmidt. "In addition, it was of course a very high priority to bring the car back in one piece. Whereby I have to admit quite honestly: The driving level here in the Cup is enormously high. But it was great to measure myself against the young guns, and the Corsa-e Rally worked super here once again. It was a lot of fun!"

Positions 5 and 6 behind the former Opel works driver, who as a guest driver was not entitled to points or prize money, were occupied by Joe Baur/Paul Gehbauer and Alexander Kattenbach/Frank Christian.

Opel boss Huettl in the rally cab of European champion Pellier

Laurent Pellier's passengers, meanwhile, were particularly bright-eyed. For once, the newly crowned European Junior Rally Champion switched from his Opel Corsa Rally4 back to the Corsa-e Rally in which he had become the first title winner of an electric rally series worldwide last year. In a Corsa-e Rally used as a "promotion car," the local hero chauffeured various media representatives and VIP guests, including Opel CEO Florian Huettl, at race speed over the fantastic special stages of the Mont Blanc region.

"We have experienced another great rally weekend here," Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott was pleased to say. "Congratulations to Timo Schulz, who decided another exciting rally in his favor and thus absolutely deserved the title win. We have proven that the Corsa-e Rally is a great rally car even under these special topographical conditions. I'm already looking forward to the season finale in five weeks!"

The last round of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022 will take place on October 14/15 as part of the ADAC 3-City Rally in Lower Bavaria.

Standings ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup 2022 (after 6 of 7 rounds): 1. Schulz 176 points (champion). 2. Carlberg 135. 3. Reiter 133. 4. Kattenbach 93. 5. Pröglhöf 84. 6. Thiele 73. 7. Baur 66. 8. Van Hoof 62. 9. Van der Marel 60. 10. Lemke 54. 11. Oprea 34.

Press contact

Opel Motorsport

Marcus Lacroix, T +49 7531 92 28 106, e-mail ml@opel-motorsport.com

ADAC e.V.

Oliver Runschke, T +49 89 76 69 65, e-mail oliver.runschke@adac.de

Kay-Oliver Langendorff, T +49 89 76 69 36, e-mail kay.langendorff@adac.de

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