Eindhoven, Netherlands – The ELE Rally marked the start of the 2026 ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup and ushered in a completely new era. Johannes Wittenbeck and Maximilian Kugler were right in the middle of the action. For the duo, competing on behalf of Häusler Automobile and ADAC Team Südbayern, it was also their debut in the brand-new Opel Mokka GSE Rally, the second generation of the electric rally car, producing 281 hp – more than twice the power of the previous Corsa Rally Electric. The season opener also featured an extremely strong field, with 16 teams from nine nations, including numerous drivers from the European Rally Championship (ERC), such as current leader Timo Schulz and reigning vice-European champion Ioan Lloyd.
For Wittenbeck and Kugler, it was also the fastest car they had ever competed in. However, they had no opportunity to test the car before the start. Traditionally, the ELE Rally does not offer a free practice session. As a result, the team had to get to grips with the new Mokka directly on the first special stage. Despite temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius, the two quickly found their rhythm. “After the first three kilometres, we immediately found our way into the car, even though the acceleration was already impressive and something completely new for us,” said Wittenbeck. A particular highlight came during the night, when the duo set the fourth-fastest time in the international field on the third special stage at 11:50 p.m.
After the first day, the team was sitting in a solid 10th overall. Saturday brought challenging stages with a high proportion of sandy sections. The ELE Rally is known in the Opel Cup for its so-called Fech Fech sections – extremely fine, loose sand that immediately gives way under the wheels and offers very little grip. With limited experience on this type of surface, Wittenbeck and Kugler initially approached the stages cautiously, but steadily increased their pace. The second day therefore developed into a consistent and controlled performance. With several sixth- and eighth-fastest stage times, the duo remained within striking distance of the front-runners throughout the day and secured seventh overall. With seventh place firmly in their hands before the final stage, there was little risk from behind, but still an opportunity to make a statement. And that is exactly what they did on the 10-kilometre city stage at night. Wittenbeck and Kugler pushed once more and set an outstanding second-fastest time, just 2.5 seconds behind Spain’s Álex Español. “Of course, finishing the rally with our first stage win in the Cup would have been a dream, but we’re simply delighted to be able to run so far up the field in such a strong line-up,” said Wittenbeck with a smile at the finish ramp.
The ELE Rally was won by the German duo Timo Schulz / Maresa Lade with a total time of 1:20:12.2, followed by the French pairing Tom Dufour / Alex Dubois in second (+31.8 seconds) and the British team Ioan Lloyd / Sion Williams in third (+46.3 seconds). Wittenbeck and Kugler finished the season opener in the new Mokka GSE Rally in a strong 7th overall out of 16 starters, 2:03.2 minutes behind the winners. For Maximilian Kugler, the season now continues with a new chapter: he will compete alongside Austrian driver Christian Luif in the ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup, remaining part of the new electric rally project.