ADAC Rally Junior Cup: Germany launches its Rally6 cup with the Opel Corsa

From 2026, ADAC and Opel are opening a new chapter for young drivers with the ADAC Rally Junior Cup, contested exclusively in the Opel Corsa Rally6 💪

ADAC, short for Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, is the largest automobile club in Europe. Beyond its role in roadside assistance, it is also the major organizer of national motorsport championships in Germany, from karting to rallying. By partnering with Opel, ADAC aims to structure a true pathway to support young talents from their first rallies up to the international level 📈

The target is clear: drivers aged 17 to 24 who want to take their first step in official competition. This initiative completes the pyramid already put in place by Opel and ADAC: after a training season in Rally6, the best drivers will be able to join the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup “powered by GSe” at the wheel of the new 280 hp Mokka GSE electric Rally car (see photo below), and then move up to the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team for an international season in the Opel Corsa Rally4, competing notably in the European Junior Championship (ERC Junior).

The manufacturer based in Rüsselsheim has already proven the effectiveness of this scheme with winners of its electric cup – such as Laurent Pellier, who dominated the competition in 2021 and then shone in Rally4 at European level by becoming ERC Junior Champion in 2022, as well as Swedish driver Calle Carlberg in 2025 🏆

A championship designed for learning

The 2026 calendar will feature eight to nine events included in the Deutsche Rallye-Meisterschaft (DRM), the Deutsche Rallye Challenge (DRC) and so-called “Rallye-70” events.

The details of the rounds will be published later, but the format is already set: a one-make cup strictly reserved for the Corsa Rally6, in order to guarantee technical fairness and highlight pure driving skills.

See also: "Clio, Corsa, Ypsilon… Rally6 welcomes new cars"

Beyond the title to be awarded at the end of the year, the interest of this cup lies in the prospects it offers: Opel and ADAC clearly announce that strong performances can lead to an official electric season, then to an international Rally4 program 🔥

🎤 “In collaboration with Opel, we are now offering a coherent and rigorous promotion pyramid in rallying. The new ADAC Rally Junior Cup fills a gap for beginners and represents a convincing joint initiative aimed at opening the door to rallying for young drivers with an attractive vehicle. The successful promotion of young talents by Opel and ADAC therefore offers even more prospects for young talents”, said Thomas Voss, ADAC Motorsport Director 👌

The Opel Corsa Rally6: a true driving school

For this project, Opel has developed a car that is simple yet demanding. The Corsa Rally6 is deliberately close to the production model to keep costs down: steel wheels 7Jx17, 205/45 ZR17 road tires, original chassis reinforced with a multipoint roll cage derived from the Corsa Rally4, and Stellantis Motorsport dampers.

Under the hood is a 1.2 L three-cylinder turbo engine producing 145 hp at 4,500 rpm and 240 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Power is transmitted via a six-speed manual gearbox with single-disc clutch. All electronic aids (ABS, traction control, ESP) are disabled, forcing young drivers to work on their braking, traction, and weight transfer skills.

On the safety side, the car meets international standards: bucket seats with integrated headrest, six-point harnesses, electric extinguisher, welded multipoint cage. Its kerb weight is around 1,050 kg, with a 45-litre fuel tank. Opel sums up its philosophy: “fast, easy to handle and maintain,” the ideal tool for beginners 👍

Running costs remain to be added: event entry fees, licence, insurance, transport, accommodation, mechanics, tires, brakes and consumable parts. Even if Opel relies on road tires to lower the bill, a full season will still represent a significant budget. In France, for a private owner, a rally costs on average €1,500 to €2,000 all included. Through a team rental, you can more or less double that amount. However, these sums remain far below those seen in other promotional formulas such as the Clio Trophy or the SMRC4 💸

A concept that resonates in France… and beyond

This German approach is not isolated. In France, the FFSA launched the Rallye FR6 Trophy to create a comparable entry step, with models such as the Peugeot 208 Racing. Stellantis has also introduced the SMRC6, a championship with Rally6 cars from the Stellantis group. These initiatives aim at the same objective: lowering the entry ticket, standardizing the technology, and preparing young drivers for higher categories 🙂

See also: "SMRC4 and SMRC6 – New developments for the Stellantis Cup!"

Other European countries are watching this clear pathway model with interest: an accessible first level, followed by a step up into higher categories. ADAC and Opel go even further by integrating an electric step, which matches the future directions of international rallying ⚡

Conclusion: a category already drawing attention

By creating the ADAC Rally Junior Cup, ADAC and Opel are offering much more than an affordable car. They are establishing a complete pathway, from regional rallying up to Europe, with a unique electric step 🔝

As Rally6 also emerges in France and begins to attract other countries, there is a sense of real enthusiasm around this new category. For many young drivers, this might just be the perfect moment to launch into modern rallying with a clear vision of the future 😎