Tarek
Hamadeh-Spaniol

Rally

BIOGRAPHY

Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol is a Saarland-based rally driver from Saarbrücken. He has been competing in the NC 4 class of the Deutsche Rallye-Meisterschaft (DRM) with his Citroën C2 Challenge for several years, and has managed to gain various class wins and championships in his career. He is the 2023 DRM Nationals champion, after previously securing third place in 2019 and the runners-up spot in this cross-class category in 2021.

Tarek has had a passion for motorsport for more than a quarter of a century. His enthusiasm for motorsport and its challenges, pushing human and machine to their limits, remains undimmed. As well as his sporting passion, the Saarland native is the co-founder of the energy-efficiency start-up company Effinigo GmbH, which offers innovative, sustainable solutions for the building sector.

SHORTFACTS

1992

Year of birth

1.81 m

Height

Profession

Start-up founder (Effinigo GmbH)

Saarbrücken

Lives in

1998

Motorsport since

SUCCESSES

Deutsche Rallye Meister Nationals + class champion

2023

ADAC Rallye Masters 4th overall + class champion

2022

ADAC Rallye Masters 2nd overall + class champion

2021

ADAC Rallye Masters 3rd overall + class runner-up

2019

”

I began motorsport with go-karting six years ago. What can I say – it was love at first sight, and now we have been married for 25 years. I am particularly thankful for URSAPHARM’s long-term support. Good eyesight is crucial for rally sport. With HYLO^® in my corner, I can be certain that my eyes are always in peak condition.

– Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol

Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol FAQ

How did Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol get into rally sport?

Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol began motorsport with go-karting six years ago. Initial attempts at auto slalom racing at the age of 15 were soon followed by a move to rally sport as a Suzuki and ADAC junior driver.

How does Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol prepare for rallies?

All good preparation starts and ends with the rally car. Every event is an absolute endurance test for human and machine, and as well as constant concentration from the driver, also requires a stable competition vehicle.

How much time does Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol devote to rally sport?

Tarek’s top priority is of course his professional career. However, this is immediately followed by rally sport, which takes up pretty much all of his remaining time. Rally car preparation and follow-up in particular generally takes up the entire weekend and evenings during the week.

Can Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol drive his rally car on a normal road?

Race cars can in principle be driven on roads, as this is unavoidable for a rally event. Rallies involve driving the fastest possible time on closed-off roads and country tracks that can only be accessed via the public road network. The traffic office does not recommend moving vehicles outside of the rally event.

What role do co-drivers play in rally sport?

In rally sport, the co-driver is as important as the driver. They are crucial for navigation, in special stages, and for time management during events. In rally sport, the brains of the outfit is generally sitting in the passenger seat.

What are different terrains such as asphalt, gravel or snow like to drive on?

Varying ground surfaces are hugely different to drive on, and this is also affected by the vehicle set-up and the tyres. The vehicle style needs to be tailored to the ground beneath. On asphalt, the aim is to drive as cleanly as possible without drifting, whilst the opposite is the case on gravel and snow. On loose substrates, the vehicle is essentially in constant motion, like a dance on four wheels.

What is so special about rallying for Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol?

Pushing the boundaries of physics, never stopping learning, and the connection between all the teams, sponsors, fans and volunteer helpers are what make rally sport and motorsport in general so special and unique.

Does Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol have role models in rally sport and motorsport?

Tarek is impressed by the achievements of nine-time rally world champion Sébastien Loeb, who at the age of 50 is still dominating everything on four wheels with an engine.

What is Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol’s training routine like?

Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol works on his concentration, reaction time and fitness. Across two days of competition in a row, it is vitally important that he is able to keep all three of these at a high level to avoid any driving errors and/or crashes.

How much does Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol’s rally car cost?

The car has an estimated value of €15,000-20,000. However, maintenance is more of an issue than the upfront cost: maintenance, including materials, can amount to the same again.

What safety precautions does rally sport have?

A helmet, six-point safety belts, bucket seats, HANS system, fireproof underwear, shoes, suit, roll cage and fire extinguisher are all mandatory to minimise the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

What do you need to become a rally driver?

To become a rally driver in the Deutsche Rallye Meisterschaft, you need:

1. Valid class-B driving licence
2. Competent medical report: mental and physical fitness incl. confirmation of eyesight
3. Competitor’s licence of at least national A or international D level
4. Basic knowledge of automotive engineering useful
5. Knowledge of sporting regulations
6. Suitable vehicle and safety equipment

What are the DRM Nationals?

The DRM Nationals are part of the Deutsche Rallye-Meisterschaft (DRM) and represent the classification for all nine national rally vehicle classes under the German Motor Sport Federation, categorised by engine size and model type. In the DRM Nationals classification, all teams gain points based on their results in the relevant classes. The team that gains the most points in their class is awarded the title at the end of the season.

Tarek Hamadeh-Spaniol