Griebel Makes It Three Straight with Dominant Rallye Sulingen Victory
Rallye Sulingen delivered high drama, raw speed, and a statement performance at the latest round of the German Rally Championship (DRM), as Marijan Griebel and co-driver Ella Kremer stormed to their third consecutive victory in emphatic style.
At the wheel of their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Griebel set the tone early and never looked back. By Saturday, the duo had already built a commanding 40-second lead, underlining their control of the event. A crushing performance on the Eickdorfer Heide stage—where they went fastest by an astonishing 15 seconds—perfectly captured their relentless pace.
From the opening show stage, where Griebel pushed hard through the tight industrial sections, it was clear they had arrived in Sulingen with one objective: total domination.
Behind them, Philip Geipel and Jennifer Lerch delivered another consistent and composed drive to secure second place overall. The result proves crucial for their championship ambitions, as they successfully defended their lead in the DRM standings. With 62 points to their name, Geipel continues to sit at the top of the leaderboard.
His commitment was evident throughout, particularly under heavy braking zones where the car danced on the edge, even locking rear wheels under pressure.
Rounding out the podium were Dutch pairing Kevin van Deijne and Lisette Bakker, who impressed with a strong third-place finish. While not registered for the DRM standings, the duo—competing under the Dutch Rally Championship banner—showed excellent pace, often framed against Sulingen’s iconic rapeseed fields.
One of the standout stories of the weekend came from guest entrants Nico Knacker and Nico Eichenauer, who brought the spectacular Porsche 911 GT Rallye to life. In their first competitive outing with the car, they secured an impressive fourth overall and claimed three fastest stage times.
Knacker described the car as “incredibly fun to drive,” with the pair clearly relishing the challenge—throwing the Porsche sideways through hairpins and kicking up dust into the sunset.
Fellow Porsche runners Carsten Mohe and Andrea Lieber finished fifth, continuing their learning curve in what is their first season with the 911 GT Rallye.
Despite the solid result, Mohe admitted post-rally that mistakes cost them time, highlighting the challenge of adapting to the new machinery.
Nevertheless, Mohe Motorsport demonstrated strength in depth, placing two cars inside the top five from their three-car entry.
In the junior category, siblings Karl Otto and Anna Niebäumer claimed top honours in their Opel Corsa Rally4, showcasing the next generation of rally talent with a composed and competitive performance.
The DRM Nationals class saw Andreas Dahms and Paul Schubert take a commanding victory in their 1979 Porsche 911. Their crowd-pleasing run included eight fastest stage times, securing the win by a margin of 42.6 seconds and adding a touch of vintage flair to the event.
Sulingen also delivered for the fans, with a stunning lineup of classic machinery lighting up both the stages and the spectator areas.
Legendary icons such as the Audi Urquattro, Subaru Impreza, Opel Ascona 400, and even a Lancia Stratos thrilled crowds with their unmistakable sound and presence.
Opel, in particular, made a significant statement, fielding 12 cars in an 80-car grid—highlighting the brand’s continued commitment to rallying and its deep-rooted heritage within the sport.
From modern Rally2 precision to sideways classic legends, Rallye Sulingen once again proved why it remains a cornerstone of the German rally calendar.
But above all, it was Marijan Griebel and Ella Kremer who stole the show—delivering a performance that firmly cements them as the benchmark in this year’s championship fight.
