VW Racing Cup Plans Further Success

29 October 2005

Rule changes aimed at safeguarding the excitement and popularity of the Volkswagen Racing Cup are to be implemented for 2006, it is announced today.

After a season of success in 2005 with an average grid size of 29 cars - making it the most popular manufacturer-backed saloon championship in Britain - the Cup has gone from strength to strength, believes Volkswagen Racing UK director Sam Roach.

'Hard to believe that the Volkswagen Racing Cup is entering only its sixth full season as a fully fledged championship,' said Roach, 'but the fact that we have enjoyed nearly full grids at each of our six meetings is testament to the correctness and continuing popularity of the concept. However, we have no intention of allowing complacency to creep in…'

Among the rule modifications on the table are a fresh look at the two-wheel drive/four-wheel drive equivalency formula. 'Qualifying for the final round, at Snetterton, saw the top eight cars on the grid - two diesels, three 1.8 turbos, two V6s and one four-wheel-drive car - separated by all of seven-tenths of a second. I think that's a pretty good illustration that the regs are about right, but there is always room for fine-tuning.

'Model diversity is key to the success of the championship, and is something we will work hard to protect.' In 2005, some 17 different model/engine combinations were seen on the grid, ranging from a late '70s Mk I Golf GTI to a 2005 example of Volkswagen's legendary hot hatch.

All championship contenders are being polled for their views on the rules: 'We are keen to get the input of all competitors,' added Roach.

Subject to contract, the Volkswagen Racing Cup will in 2006 be the sole saloon support championship on the prestigious British F3 and British GT Championship UK tour.

See 2005 series calendar for VW Racing Cup

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