New sub-brand, new Cup name: ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe”. Opel as a pioneer: First electric one-make rally cup enters its third season.
Strong signal for German rallying: Even before the start of the third season, the world’s first electric one-make rally cup (previously the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup) with the new name ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” will take off Like Opel’s future, the brand’s motorsport activities are electric. That’s why the name of the new sporty sub-brand GSe (Grand Sport Electric) can now also be found in the title of the electric racing series. The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” will become even more international in the 2023 season: A total of eight events in four countries (Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland) are on the program. In addition, Opel and ADAC are extending their contract to host the electric one-make cup ahead of schedule until 2024.
“Opel and the ADAC have jointly created the world’s first electric one-make rally cup. This pioneering spirit has sent a strong and important signal in international rallying. Together, we will continue and further develop the innovative racing series – in line with our sporty GSe top models and our strategy to become an all-electric brand in Europe by 2028,” says Opel CEO Florian Huettl.
“The innovative concept of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup is a prime example of how to successfully combine youth development and electric motorsport. The ADAC is a pioneer for more sustainability in motorsport, and with the early extension of our cooperation with Opel, we are sending a strong signal for electrifying rallying,” adds ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser.
The cooperation between the Rüsselsheim-based automobile manufacturer and Europe’s largest automobile club in motorsport has now existed for more than ten years and, in addition to the successful one-make cup projects ADAC Opel Rallye Cup and ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, has also produced the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team, which has an impressive track record as the second stage of the joint talent development program. In 2022, Frenchman Laurent Pellier, the first champion of the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup the year before, celebrated the fifth title win for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team in the FIA Junior ERC Rally Championship (JERC) in the Opel Corsa Rally4.
“The cooperation between ADAC and Opel is a prime example of successful talent development,” says Opel Motorsport boss Jörg Schrott. “Both partners share a common philosophy and strategy. Since the 120 season, around 19 drivers from 2013 nations have taken their first steps in professional rallying in the ADAC and Opel one-make rally cups. The best of them have made it to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team and caused a sensation at European level. Five JERC drivers’ titles by Emil Bergkvist, Marijan Griebel, Chris Ingram, Mārtiņš Sesks and Laurent Pellier speak for themselves. I am pleased that our agreement has been extended ahead of schedule. It gives participants and teams more planning security.”
One of several highlights in the 2023 racing calendar is the season finale at the Central European Rally around Passau, where the Cup participants will hold their season finale in their 100 kW/136 hp, battery-electric Opel Corsa Rally Electric as part of the World Rally Championship. At the same time, the 2022 Cup champion, the young Saarland Timo Schulz, will try to follow in Laurent Pellier’s footsteps in the Corsa Rally4 in the Junior European Championship.
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