- Golf GTI TCR: Double WTCR triumph at home event on the Nordschleife
- ID.R: Electric race car impresses on 24h Nürburgring support programme
- Vento: Flawless hat-trick for Volkswagen works team in India
Kristoffersson and Leuchter claim highly-acclaimed first win s on the Nordschleife
Volkswagen took its first two wins of the season at the manufacturer’s home event in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Johan Kristoffersson (S) and Benjamin Leuchter (D) of the Sébastien Loeb Racing team won two of the three races in their Golf GTI TCR at the “Race of Germany”. For each of the WTCR newcomers, this was the first win in the pinnacle of touring car racing. “That was a perfect weekend for Volkswagen,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets. “The first two wins of the 2019 WTCR season for the Golf GTI TCR are firm confirmation of all our hard work in recent weeks. The fact that local favourite Benny Leuchter followed Johan Kristoffersson by winning a race at the end of the weekend crowned a fantastic performance from the whole team.”
Rob Huff (GB) kicked off the successful weekend for Volkswagen with fourth place in race one. The 39-year-old was embroiled in thrilling slipstream battles on the three-kilometre “Döttinger Höhe” section of the infamous Nordschleife. The reverse grid for race two saw Kristoffersson start from pole position, and the Swede took full advantage. The 30-year-old pulled clear of the field and never looked at threat on his way to a commanding victory. “I pushed hard on the first two laps. On the third lap, I was able to play it safe,” said Kristoffersson.
Volkswagen led from start to finish again in the final race of the weekend, this time with Benny Leuchter. The 31-year-old pole- sitter fended off any attacks from the chasing pack to win at his home event at his favourite circuit. “I have so much to thank the Nordschleife for,” said Leuchter. “To win here against the best touring car drivers in the world is fantastic.” The races were held on the 25.378-kilometre combination of the modern Grand Prix Circuit and the historic Nordschleife and formed part of the support programme for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. 230,000 spectators visited the circuit over the course of the race weekend. The next round of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup will take place in Vila Real (P) from 05 to 07 July.
24h Nürburgring
Volkswagen ID.R makes statement for e-mobility on the Nor dschleife
The fully-electrically driven Volkswagen ID.R and driver Romain Dumas (F) have returned to the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Around three weeks after Dumas had set a new record for electric cars, completing a circuit of the historic track in 6:05.336 minutes, the French driver performed a demo lap with the electric race car immediately before the start of the 24h Nürburgring. “It is fantastic that we can use this international stage to show countless fans just how emotional electrically- driven cars can be,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Sven Smeets. 230,000 spectators flocked to the race weekend in the Eifel region of Germany.
In two weeks’ time, Dumas and the ID.R will be defending their title at the “Goodwood Festival of Speed” (4th to 7th July). Last year, the 41-year-old took just 43.86 seconds to set a new electric record at the prestigious race in southern England. Dumas recorded the fastest time for 15 years at the Goodwood Hillclimb. The ID.R, sporting spearhead for the fully-electrically driven ID. family of production cars, is now approaching the next challenge after setting three records in twelve months.
24h Nürburgring
“Girls only” team battles to the finishing line – Sharky Racing on the podium
The 24h Nürburgring has rules of its own. The “Girls only” team experienced this painful realisation at the 47th edition of the endurance race. In the first hour of the race, the women’s team with drivers Ronja Assmann (D), Jasmin Preisig (CH) and Carrie Schreiner (D) was forced to make an unscheduled stop due to engine problems caused by a foreign object punching through the radiator of the Golf GTI TCR. The team refused to give up, changing the turbo power unit and the control unit over the course of the next few hours. Carrie Schreiner was able to drive the final stint to complete the race.
Privateer teams competed at this year’s 24h Nürburgring with a total of six Golf GTIs, in a number of variations. The best-placed Volkswagen to cross the line was the Golf GTI TCR from the Sharky Racing team. Volker Garrn (D), Knut Kluge (D), Stefan Lohn (D) and Jens Wulf (D) finished in third place in the SP 3T class.
TCR Japan
Shogo Mitsuyama wins in the Golf GTI TCR
In TCR Japan, Shogo Mitsuyama (J) claimed the maiden win for the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR at round two of the new racing series. The driver from the Green Brave Racing team emerged victorious from a fierce battle to take victory in race one at Sugo Sportsland (J). Mitsuyama crossed the finish line just 0.717 seconds ahead of second-placed Takuro Shinohara (J, Audi).
Mitsuyama narrowly missed out on another victory in race two, crossing the finish line in second place. The 42-year-old saw the chequered flag 1.016 seconds behind race winner Shuji Maejima (J, Alfa Romeo). Mitsuyama now lies second in the championship with 69 points, four behind leader Matthew Howson (GB, Honda). TCR Japan returns to action on 13 and 14 July at the Fuji Speedway (J).
Indian Touring Cars (ITC)
Three wins for the Volkswagen Vento at the season-opener
Volkswagen drivers won all three races at the opening round of this season’s Indian Touring Cars (ITC) at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore (IND). In doing so, they presented Volkswagen Motorsport India with the perfect start on their debut as a works team. Dhruv Mohite (IND) got the ball rolling in his Vento. The reigning champion in the Volkswagen Ameo Cup won the first race ahead of team-mate Karthik Tharani (IND). In race two, Tharani turned the tables to take victory ahead of Mohite and Ishaan Dodhiwala (IND) in the third Vento. Tharani had his nose in front again in the final race. The opening round of the Volkswagen Ameo Cup also featured on the support programme. Jeet Jhabakh (IND) won two of the three races. Avik Anwar (BD) took victory in the other race. Round two of the ITC will take place from 19 to 21 July in Chennai (IND).
