Runner-Up Culley Returns to VW Cup for Title Challenge

09 February 2007

2006 Volkswagen Racing Cup championship runner-up Martyn Culley is to return to the Hankook-backed series this season with the aim of going one better.

And the Hampshire racer is also determined to prove that championship glory is all the sweeter when you're driving one of the oldest cars on the grid.

For 27-year-old Culley will be behind the wheel, for his fourth straight year, of a Vento VR6, itself the veteran of 13 seasons of racing. 'Last year proved the Vento still has the capability to win,' says Martyn, 'and having finished second in the championship I want to take top spot this year.'

Culley was a top-10 finisher in his maiden Volkswagen Racing Cup season in 2004, progressed to being a regular top six contender in '05 and last year won for the first time, at Snetterton and at Thruxton, and collected a further three podium finishes on his way to championship second.

He was in contention for the title up until the final meeting of the season. Despite Martyn's victory in the last round the crown went the way of Golf R32 racer Paul Taylor. Paul is returning to the series to try to achieve the double.

Joining Martyn on the grid once again will be his 56-year-old father, Barrie, in a matching Vento VR6. 'We have done a lot of work since the end of the season on improving the engine torque, making a switch to an Emerald ECU, and hopefully we'll be hitting the ground running and starting the new season the way I finished the last,' added Martyn, whose backers include Storm Developments, ATMR, Dub Power, KW and Emerald.

The British GT/F3-supporting Volkswagen Racing Cup in association with Hankook enjoys the additional support of Augustus Martin, Castrol, ECM Vehicle Delivery, Europcar, Milltek Sport, Mondial Assistance, KW Automotive, Superchips, TNT Logistics, Turbo Dynamics, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volkswagen Financial Services UK.

The opening rounds of the championship will be held at the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire at Easter.

See 2007 series calendar for VW Racing Cup

Related Story 01.10.2006 - VW Cup Wins for Wood and Culley at Thruxton as Taylor is Crowned