In a few days the 22nd Bremen Classic Motor Show will start, and that's for us for years fixed price. The German opening of the classic season attracts every year and always casts a pleasant shadow ahead. And in the run-up to a new edition, a nice memory regularly comes up. One of the most beautiful experiences in Bremen was my interview with Walter Röhrl, during the 2016 edition.
It was an opportunity in a million. Walter Röhrl was the man I had to speak to, and the opportunity arose. That happened eight years ago, on the packed exhibition floor of the Messe Bremen. Röhrl and comrade Jochi Kleint were present at the stand of 'das ADAC Hansa Team' and that was the perfect opportunity for an interview.
I wanted to secure my spot, and I was on my toes more than half an hour before the interviews started. I kept a close eye on the tall multiple rally world champion. Röhrl decided to take another detour, and I was quick to speak to him briefly. I briefly introduced myself and said that I was Auto Motor Klassiek wrote from the Netherlands and would like to speak to him. Whether he had time for an interview. “Selbstverständlich,” said Röhrl. The nervous press officer was too late to stop me, the beautiful case had already been settled.
The time had come around 16.00 p.m. Meanwhile, more press representatives were present to speak to Röhrl next to the 'Kleint-Capri'. A North German radio station thought it had the privilege to kick off. The Germans were well equipped, with modern equipment, and perhaps for this reason they thought that they could be the first to conduct an interview. The German colleagues were already busy and ready to start. And then Röhrl said: “It's his turn first. We are coming to the Netherlands and must continue our bisschen journey.”
The German colleagues were upset, that couldn't be true, but it was true. The contrast in terms of equipment could not be greater. I had already prepared the interview in my mind, and Röhrl's answers would be immortalized on a notepad from the municipality of Leeuwarden. What a beautiful contrast. Surprising answers ended up on the block. Röhrl talked about the Olympia Rally, where he rode big names until mechanical discomfort prevented victory. And he talked about the great wish that came true when he finally rode for the first time. Monte Carlo won. He talked about his first world title. And about the charm of the past, which he called a romantic time. And the commercial interests were less great. Drivers were in fact self-employed, even though they drove for a team.
The outpouring about his favorite rally car was also beautiful. The press announcement for this year's edition indicated that the Lancia 037 was the favorite, but in 2016 Röhrl told a different story. For example, he drove the Opel Ascona 400, with which he became world champion during the final rally in Ivory Coast, a legendary victory. He talked about the aforementioned Lancia, the Fiat 131 Abarth rally, the Audi quattro. But very surprisingly he said that his favorite was the Opel Ascona A. It did everything well, fit exactly into the jacket, was suitable for various surfaces, and was excellently tuned.
He told it, the tall man from Regensburg, and a twinkle came into his eye. And also in mine. Because suddenly I knew what made me fascinated by rallies as a boy: an Opel advertisement in which Röhrl and the Ascona A were depicted. And there, in Bremen, something very beautiful came together in February 2016. The circle was complete. And the block from the municipality of Leeuwarden went neatly into the bag. “Thank you, it was a pleasure to speak with you. "
Good story!
Nice story. Recognizable and does Opel justice again! 😉