Racing Rival Gives Teen Driver a Boost in VW Racing Cup

19 August 2005

Teenage Volkswagen Racing Cup competitor Dan Thackeray will get a birthday present to remember at Snetterton next month.

Hertfordshire-based Dan, who turns 17 a fortnight before the championship's closing rounds on 24/25 September, has been handed the chance to race one of the quickest cars on the grid thanks to the generosity of one of his track rivals.

Thackeray will take over at the wheel of Rob Palmer's Exeter Diesels-backed Golf TDI at Snetterton, Dan having impressed Palmer with his pace. 'We are all very excited that Dan has agreed to race the Golf at Snetterton; he's a very talented young driver,' said Rob, who used to back budding British rally talent Kris Meeke.

Thackeray was the youngest-ever Volkswagen Racing Cup competitor when he took to the track at Donington in April in his Corrado VR6. He placed third on his debut but since then has failed to finish a race due to recurring engine problems.

It's not just Palmer who is impressed by young Dan - multiple Racing Cup victor Shaun Hollamby says: 'Dan has been the find of the season. Without a doubt he would have been a serious contender for overall championship honours if not for the reliability issues.'

Thackeray is excited by the prospect of his Snetterton outing: 'I am very grateful to Rob Palmer and to Exeter Diesels for letting me have his drive. Adapting to left-hand drive and turbodiesel power will be a challenge, but I aim to finish well, hopefully as top diesel runner, to reward Rob for his kindness.'

The Volkswagen Racing Cup enjoys the support of Augustus Martin, Castrol, ECM Vehicle Delivery, Europcar, Experian, Inchcape Automotive, ISG Occupancy, Milltek Sport, Mondial Assistance, Pirelli, Proximity London, KW Automotive, Superchips, TNT Logistics, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volkswagen Financial Services UK.

See 2005 series calendar for VW Racing Cup

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