DRM: Patrik Dinkel continues winning streak

In midsummer weather, a small but fine field of starters turned up for the 24th ADAC Haßberg Rally in Ebern. Patrik Dinkel set the pace at the front with his regular co-driver Tamara Lutz in the Brose Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9RS and celebrated the fifth overall victory in the current season. John Macht and Tobias Glatzel engaged in a thrilling battle with Ralf Hillmann / Hans-Peter Wollner, who completed the Mitsubishi podium just 3 seconds behind.

With two long and challenging special stages, each of which had to be mastered in two runs, the organizer met the taste of participants and fans. A fast special stage with a long gravel section was followed by one of the most beautiful stages in the national rally calendar at Jesserndorf: "Those nine kilometers included almost everything the rally heart desires! Hairpin bends, hilltops, different surfaces with beautiful gravel sections, plus two beautiful village crossings with lots of spectators. This course is absolutely DRM worthy - I'm already looking forward to the second round," Dinkel enthusiastically declared during the half-time break on the former grounds of the Balthasar Neumann barracks, which he reached as the overall leader with a 18.3-second lead.

Also at the second run nothing should change at the top position. Patrik Dinkel and Tamara Lutz set all the best times and once again stood on the top podium: "At the moment I'm a bit speechless - things are just working out and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors and my team, because without them none of this would be possible," said the sympathetic and visibly overwhelmed youngster at the award ceremony. John Macht / Tobias Glatzel followed on the other positions just before the experienced team Ralf Hillmann and Hans-Peter Wollner, who stood out with a strong performance.

After a short break, the next event is scheduled for September 10 with the 10th ADAC Rally Fränkisches Weinland in Elfershausen.