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K&N Driver Rene Mandel Secures 11-point Lead in the German Rally Championship
K&N Driver Rene Mandel Secures 11-point Lead in the German Rally Championship
12 Jun 2017
Ford Fiesta R5 2wd rally car, being driven by Rene Mandel
Earlier this year, K&N drivers René Mandel and Dennis Zenz, piloted their their Ford Fiesta R5 to victory at the ADAC Rallye "Around the Sulinger Bärenklaue" in Germany. It was Mandel's first win in the hotly contested German Rally Championship (DRM) series, and it actually came as a complete surprise to the young driver. The duo then went on to clinch 2nd at the Sachsen Rally in Zwickau, increasing Mandel's points lead in the German Rally Championship.
At the Sulinger Rally, Mandel snaked his turbocharged 2WD Fiesta R5 down the narrow lanes inside of a massive disused military depot located between Liebenau and Steyerberg. Covering roughly 2,223 acres, this site features a 52-mile maze of narrow roads that can challenge even the most experienced rally drivers. The 25-year-old Mandel however, only started his rally career in 2015. Nevertheless, his experience as an FIA & German autocross champion helped him to beat out the crowded field and secure his first-ever DRM victory.
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"It was unbelievable, it took me a moment after we passed the finish line to realize we made it. But then it was an amazing feeling for us," said an excited Mandel, as he prepared for the upcoming ADAC Sachsen Rally in Zwickau. He went on to explain, "I think the win helped a lot to move on in our self-confidence and the whole team. We will be more confident in the future rallies because the first win is always the most difficult."
That confidence certainly spilled over into the AvD Sachsen Rallye, where Mandel and Zenz claimed second place amid stiff competition. After 77 miles of intense action, the pair were narrowly beaten by Fabian Kreim and Frank Christian in their Skoda Fabia R5. However, this young K&N rally driver still wound up with 71 points in the DRM Championship race. 11 more than Kreim, who currently sits in second place.
Next up on Rene Mandel's DRM schedule is the Rallye Stemweder Berg, Lübbecke. This is sure to be an exciting rally, and K&N is proud to be a part of this young driver's quest for the DRM championship. "It's awesome for us to get the best product which helps our performance a lot. The support from K&N is for us, the only way to make racing happen. I'm really thankful for that."
