Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally driver Ioan Lloyd remains in contention for the 2026 ADAC GSE Rally Cup title after finishing fifth at the ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally in Germany, the sixth round of the all-electric series.
Lloyd and co-driver Sion Williams overcame a challenging weekend to complete all 14 special stages. After a puncture on the second day and a differential issue on the way to the Power Stage, the Welshman fought to reach the finish, also securing two valuable Power Stage points.
The result sees Lloyd maintain second in the championship standings on 160 points, six behind new leader Tom Dufour. The Frenchman and co-driver Alex Dubois finished third in Saarland to take the lead, while former championship leader Timo Schulz dropped to third after retiring on the eleventh special stage.
Guest driver Max Reiter and co-driver Conny Nemenich won on their return to electric rallying. The all-electric Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally impressed, with the fastest finishing ninth overall against more powerful, four-wheel-drive Rally2 rivals. Producing up to 207 kW (281 hp), it tackled 14 stages totalling 96 miles.
“It was a challenging weekend, but we kept fighting right through to the finish. After a few mistakes on the first day, a puncture and then a differential issue on the way to the Power Stage, we had to work hard to get the car to the finish. We managed to set another fastest stage time in the dark and pick up two valuable Power Stage points. We’re now just six points off the lead with one round remaining, so it’s all to play for in Spa. A big thanks to Sion and the whole team for their hard work throughout the weekend,” said Lloyd.
“The Mokka GSE Rally once again put in a strong performance at the ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally. Right from the second special stage, Timo was fifth in the overall field, behind four Rally2 all-wheel-drive cars. At the end of the first day, the best-placed Mokka was in seventh position. And the battle at the top of the Cup standings was once again of the highest calibre,” said Jörg Schrott, Opel-Vauxhall Motorsport Director.
ADAC GSE Rally Cup standings after six of seven rounds: Tom Dufour 166 points, Ioan Lloyd 160, Timo Schulz 136, Alex Español 96, Claire Schönborn 95.
The ADAC GSE Rally Cup concludes in Spa, Belgium, on November 28-29, where Lloyd will look to close the six-point gap for the championship title.
Vauxhall Motors started making cars in the UK in 1903. Today, as the oldest and most familiar of Britain’s automotive manufacturers, it is one of few automotive brands to produce electric vehicles in Britain, at its Ellesmere Port plant, the UK’s first electric-only manufacturing plant. Vauxhall is part of Stellantis NV.
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