The decision to change cars was made several weeks ago; in the meantime Carsten Mohe and co-driver Andrea Lieber have successfully tested the rented Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. At the Lausitz-Rallye on 6 and 7 November the all-wheel-drive car should provide the necessary speed to mount another attack on third overall in the DRM.
After a strong late surge at the 3-Städte-Rallye Mohe initially improved to third in the standings. Because, due to the regulations, he was only allowed to nominate one of the two remaining DRM rounds for the championship, he chose against the Saarland-Pfalz Rally and for the gravel finale in the Lausitz.
However his direct rival Björn Satorius was able to score points in the Saarland and moved back ahead in the overall standings. "To take back third place from him we have to be placed ahead of him overall in the Lausitz and in the Power Stage," Mohe calculated.
First test run in the Skoda successful
The reigning DRM Rally3 champion is satisfied with the new competition car. After the past months in the rear-wheel-drive Porsche Mohe must, however, readjust to an all-wheel-drive car. Added to that are the special demands of the fast gravel stages around Boxberg and Weißwasser.
"This is a really good car," is his first impression of the Skoda. He does not necessarily see the mandatory Hankook control tires as a disadvantage either. For setup he can orient himself on the other Rally2 teams.
How competitive he will actually be is still hard for Mohe to estimate. With 24 entered cars the Rally2 category is strongly represented. There is also the international competition that traditionally contests the Lausitz-Rallye.
"It is difficult to assess our own speed, especially since many very good drivers contest the DRM in the Rally2 category. With start number 6 we are at least in a good position to enter the competition," explains the Crottendorfer.
Second home event for Mohe
For the Saxon the Lausitz-Rallye also has special significance beyond the championship. After the Rallye Erzgebirge he regards the event as his second DRM home event. Mohe and his team have been closely connected to the organising Rallye-Renn- & Wassersport-Club Lausitz for many years.
"Gravel rallies in the DRM are always particularly attractive for the fans and draw many foreign entrants. It will be a mega spectacle and we are incredibly looking forward to our second DRM home event," says Mohe.
The 29th Lausitz-Rallye comprises eight special stages covering a total of 146.84 kilometers against the clock. Of that, 122.26 kilometers will be run on gravel. Start and finish are again in the town centre of Boxberg this year.
