The anticipation for the 29th ADMV Lausitz-Rallye (5 to 7 November) is high for Armin Kremer. After his successful comeback last year the Mecklenburger wants to attack again on the demanding gravel tests around Boxberg. The tried-and-tested Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 will again serve as the entry car, prepared by the Austrian BRR-Team. With test runs the Mecklenburger prepared for the event and adapted the Rally2 car to the special demands of the Lausitz.
Above all the reunion with Matthias Kahle promises excitement. The two former long-term rivals had already delivered a gripping head-to-head in 2025, before Kremer lost valuable time due to an unusual tyre failure. In the end he was only 13.1 seconds behind Kahle, who finished second behind Polish winner Jakub Matulka.
"It is an impressive entry list and of course I am particularly looking forward to the duel with Matthias Kahle. Last year it was a great and above all exciting reunion with him. I would like that to continue," says Kremer, who must assert himself against strong international opposition.
New co-driver Michael Wenzel
An additional challenge awaits this time on the co-driver's seat. Instead of his daughter Ella, with whom he secured third place in the Lausitz last year, Michael Wenzel will be responsible for the pacenotes for the first time. The experienced co-driver must build up a working relationship with Kremer under competition conditions on the fast gravel stages. "That is of course an additional challenge. But Michael is a very experienced co-driver and I am convinced that the collaboration will work," Kremer says confidently.
For daughter Ella, meanwhile, a very special season finale awaits. Together with Marijan Griebel she travels as the championship leader to the finale of the Deutsche Rallye-Meisterschaft (DRM). Her lead over Philip Geipel and Jennifer Lerch is a mere two points, so the title decision will only be made on the final special stages of the season.
"For rally fans it is of course great that the title fight this year is so exciting and is only decided at the last event," says Armin Kremer, who will thus also follow the action from a family perspective.
Unique in Germany
With a total of 94 entered teams the Lausitz Rally is once again highly competitive. The programme includes eight special stages covering 146.84 kilometres, of which 122.26 kilometres are run on gravel. In particular the fast sections on the former open-cast mine area, the deeply carved ruts and the partly difficult visibility demand a lot from the competitors.
It is precisely this special character that makes the event so appealing to Kremer. "Of course I am very motivated, because the Lausitz Rally is a great event and unique in Germany as it takes place almost entirely on gravel. That is also why it must be supported and I can only hope that the DRM officials see it the same way and will give it a permanent place in the championship in future," emphasizes the former European champion.
