The ADAC Rallye Deutschland (17-20 August 2017) – as all the rounds from the World Rally Championship – attracts the world’s top-ranking rally drivers. Especially in Germany stars like Sébastien Ogier or Thierry Neuville appreciate the rich variety of challenges that are in store for them. To a large extent, this goes back to the 18 ADAC regional clubs and their active onsite commitment and the patronage they assume of the Special Stages. Likewise the volunteer Marshals: some 2,000 of these specially trained helpers will be around to ensure that everything runs smoothly again this year.
“The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is ADAC’s major collaborative effort. With its 18 regional clubs and the enormous number of volunteers this rally has particular significance for us”, says ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk. “Without the volunteer engagement of over 2,000 Marshals and another 1,000 helpers, this event of the WRC would be impossible to run.”
“The Marshals are the secret heroes of each motorsport event”, Clerk of the Course Friedhelm Kissel added. “This is especially true for a World Championship rally like the German one and its complex organisation. This is why ADAC is very keen to thoroughly train and prepare our Marshals.”
The core task of the Marshals is to ensure the safety of the track and spectator areas
The rally drivers will cover over 309km to complete a total of 21 Special Stages at this year’s rally. For long Special Stages, up to 300 Marshals will be doing a coordinated job. For the planning teams, this is a major logistical task.
Such intensive Marshal staffing levels for Special Stages are also essential for fast and effective communication. During Special Stages, the Marshals immediately report any irregularities to the Rally Control. When accidents occur, they call in support and administer first aid where needed and make the location safe for other drivers coming along the stage. Marshals responsible for the spectator areas make sure that people strictly comply with the security rules. To this end, they always work in a team so that there are at least two persons at each post.
Like Special Stage officials, most Marshals are from ADAC local clubs
As in previous years, they will come from all over Germany also in 2017. Neighbouring countries will also provide support. As a prerequisite for working at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland, it is necessary to take part in a training course. The focus is on the special requirements of a WRC rally in addition to completing the Marshal training programme. The volunteer WRC teams are also recruited from the ADAC local clubs. Their tasks involve the setting up and removing of Special Stages including all barriers, security measures and signs.
In addition another about 1,000 volunteers set up spectator areas and parking lots, sell rally passes and programme brochures and cater for the spectators.
