Christopher Gerhard celebrated his first victory with Nathalie Solbach-Schmidt in the hot seat of the ŠKODA Fabia R5 at the ADAC Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler. The numerous spectators witnessed the most exciting edition of the Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler in recent years. Four different teams were able to sign the list of SS winners.

“The fog yesterday evening was really bad, I had a hard time even to continue driving at all. So we started the second day with a huge deficit. It was a real challenge to assess the risk correctly and still come out ahead safely,” explained a happy Christopher Gerhard at the finish. ”The Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler is something special and follows its own rules. Here we are competing against teams with whom we normally do not compete for places.”

After around 150 special stage kilometers, the lead over the runners-up, Colin Dünker and his co-pilot Jonas Decker (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4), was exactly 41.0 seconds. The youngster, who finished eighth last year, was very satisfied: “We didn't expect that! We had problems with the car and were still working on it until 3:00 p.m. yesterday. A big thank you to the entire team, who kept working on it until the end – without them we wouldn't have made it.”

The Luxembourger celebrated his best result at the Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler Yann Munhowen, who brought Luc Kalmes in the hot seat in a BMW M3 E30. “I've competed here quite a few times before, but fourth place was my best result so far, so I'm absolutely delighted with third place!”Jonas Tischner was unlucky: he was still in the lead until the eighth stage, but had to retire his BMW M3 with a driveshaft failure on the eleventh stage. Record-breaking winner Georg Berlandy had already retired after the previous stage due to technical problems with his BMW.

The international field of participants further enriched the event: the Danes Michael Sørensen and Mie Aagaard Johansen crossed the ramp into the Nürburgring paddock in fourth place. Felix Schumann and Hans-Peter Loth, who competed in a Renault Clio Rallye4, also contributed to the brand diversity. This meant that vehicles from five different brands were represented in the top five places.

Yann Munhowen wins the YOUNGTIMER Gold Cup 
After having to admit defeat by a narrow margin in second place last year, Yann Munhowen and co-driver Luc Kalmes were able to take thespecial classification for historic vehicles for themselves.In their debut at the Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler, Florian Feustel / Katrin Becker were pleased with second place in the youngtimers in their Porsche 911 RSR. With Simon Baales/Florian Rath it was another BMW team in the 318is which completed the top 3.

Positive conclusion of the organizers
“This year again, we were able to offer first-class motorsport at the end of the season with the Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler again offer first-class motorsport. Our heartfelt thanks go to the many fans who, despite the persistent fog, once again made the event a true rally celebration,” says Hans-Werner Hilger, organizer of the organizing Scuderia Augustusburg Brühl. ”Without the numerous helpers, the support of our sponsors and the cooperation with authorities and local communities, an event of this kind would not be possible.”

“We are already looking forward to the 2025 edition, which is planned for November 7-8, 2025.” 

Clerk of the Course Peter Krieger was also satisfied: ”Once again, we had a starting field of over 70 competition vehicles! It is particularly pleasing that 56 vehicles eventually crossed the ramp at the Nürburgring and mastered the challenge of around 150 special stage kilometers.” Unfortunately, there were some accidents, but luckily everyone involved is fine.

Special stage best times
SP1 Dreimühlenhof Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 3:32.6 minutes
SP2 Bocksberg Tischner / Carl 10:15.0 minutes
SP3 Lückenbacher Hohl Wolves / Wolves 5:49:0 minutes
SS4 Aremberg Castle Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 3:12.1 minutes
SS5 Nürburg Table Table 10:23.4 minutes
SS6 Forest Court 1 Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 5:50.4 minutes
SS7 South Loop
SS8 Eifel Country Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 4:34.6 minutes
SS9 Waldhof 2 Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 5:52.3 minutes
SS10 Scharfer Kopf Tischner / Carl 12:38.5 minutes
SS11 Hohe Acht Munhowen / Kalmes 3:04.6 minutes
SS12 Eifelgold Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt 6:31.6 minutes

Final standings
1. Gerhard / Solbach-Schmidt ŠKODA Fabia R5 1:26:35.5 hours
2. Dünker / Decker Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4 1:27:16.5 hours
3. Munhowen / Kalmes BMW M3 E30 1:27:22.2 hours
4. Sørensen / Johansen Peugeot 208 1:28:40.8 hours
5. Schumann / Loth Renault Clio Rallye4 1:29:00.2 hours

All results of the Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler can be found here.