Sébastien Loeb, the record-breaking six-time world rally champion, is best known in Trier and the surrounding countryside for his knack of winning WRC Rally Deutschland, which starts and finishes in the historic German town.
Since the event was elevated to world championship status in 2002, only Loeb has triumphed over its demanding all-tarmac stages.
In the village of Mehring at the completion of the rally’s opening test, the 24.01km Ruwertal/Fell stage, is a small restaurant located on the banks of the Mosel river. There, diners can enjoy Spaghetti à la Armin Schwarz – a dish dedicated to the last German to win a WRC event – or Sébastien Loeb-rumpsteak, named in honour of the all-conquering Frenchman.
Loeb insists there is no secret to his success in Germany, but instead points to a special “feeling”. He adds: “You can’t afford to have a moment, because if you have one then your confidence is gone, as you thought there was more grip than there was. When that happens, you will ask yourself on every corner what the grip is like. It’s a question of feeling, because it is easy to be in trouble.”
'You can’t afford to have a moment, because if you have one then your confidence is gone' – Sébastien Loeb
Although September’s Rallye de France will include a stage through Loeb’s home town of Haguenau, he says Rally Deutschland is akin to being his home event, for Loeb’s every move during rally week is tracked by his legion of adoring fans.
But Rally Deutschland isn’t just a Loeb benefit, as the results of Thursday morning’s pre-event shakedown proved when Loeb’s Citroën team-mate Dani Sordo tied on time with Citroën privateer Petter Solberg. There’s also a growing following for Loeb’s understudy Sébastien Ogier, who defeated his more experienced rival on Rally de Portugal in May and continues to prove a thorn in Loeb’s side.
There were perhaps a few gleeful Loeb fans following the pre-event reconnaissance when Ogier was hit with a fine of €400 for being clocked in a 30kph zone travelling at 51kph. While Ogier will take the punishment in his stride, it only goes to prove Loeb right that it’s easy to get into trouble on Rally Deutschland…
Comments
Add a comment