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Four cars running on diesel power are among the entry list of Rally Deutschland (11-13 August), the next round of the World Rally Championship.
Two BMW 120s, an Opel Astra and a Skoda Fabia will compete in the race using diesel engines.
Until recently, privateers had to use the same fuel as manufacturer teams, which is not the case anymore: "Last year, privateers no longer had to use official fuel but could stop at service stations along the route on their own accord,”explained Rally Deutschland's Secretary, Waltraud Wunsch. “But then we discovered there were no fuel stations along our route for them to use. So this year, we have altered the route to make roadside fuel station refuelling possible - and attract these entries."
"This is also the result of efforts by the German rally authorities to recreate interest for the sport within the national manufacturers,” mentioned FIA Rallies Commission President, Hans-Christopher Mehmel. “We are also discussing the diesel issue for the European Rally Championship.
There is such a growing commercial awareness of diesel power within the car market that the entries for Rallye Deutschland are very significant. This is a subject close to my heart. I was the co-driver of a diesel VW Golf on the 1978 Monte Carlo Rally."
Two BMW 120s, an Opel Astra and a Skoda Fabia will compete in the race using diesel engines.
Until recently, privateers had to use the same fuel as manufacturer teams, which is not the case anymore: "Last year, privateers no longer had to use official fuel but could stop at service stations along the route on their own accord,”explained Rally Deutschland's Secretary, Waltraud Wunsch. “But then we discovered there were no fuel stations along our route for them to use. So this year, we have altered the route to make roadside fuel station refuelling possible - and attract these entries."
"This is also the result of efforts by the German rally authorities to recreate interest for the sport within the national manufacturers,” mentioned FIA Rallies Commission President, Hans-Christopher Mehmel. “We are also discussing the diesel issue for the European Rally Championship.
There is such a growing commercial awareness of diesel power within the car market that the entries for Rallye Deutschland are very significant. This is a subject close to my heart. I was the co-driver of a diesel VW Golf on the 1978 Monte Carlo Rally."
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