Legendary Drivers Confirm Presence in Scirocco R-Cup at Hockenheim

The Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup will debut this weekend at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany, this being the first ever edition of the competition. Launched as part of the support package for the DTM series, the VW-backed championship will benefit from the presence of 5 “high-calibre names” of the motor racing world in order to become more visible in the eyes of the racing fans worldwide.

Carlos Sainz, Derek Bell, Martin Brundle, Jacques Laffite and Frank Biela are the 5 racers that have together gathered no less than 343 grand prix starts, two World Rally titles and, a Dakar Rally victory, 11 Le Mans 24 Hours wins, a World Sportscar title and DTM and BTCC crowns. What they have never accomplished however, was to win a race with a car whose engine is powered by bio natural gas.

“Famous names like Sainz, Bell, Brundle, Laffite and Biela are a great enrichment for the world premiere of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, the most eco-conscious one-make cup racing series of all,” revealed Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

“All five of them have made motorsport history and, together with young talents and seasoned touring car campaigners, will be delivering exciting sport and a fantastic show at Hockenheim,” added Nissen.

Sainz, who a few months ago scored his first ever win in Rally Dakar, admitted his enthusiasm over getting to drive the bio CNG-powered Scirocco around the Heckenheim circuit.

“It’s always a great thrill to take part in the maiden race of a new car and in a new racing series. I’m expecting the Cup Scirocco to be somewhat similar to the version I drove last year at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, though. The Hockenheimring on the other hand is totally new to me,” said the Spaniard.

“The Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup offers a field with a very attractive mix of young talents, established drivers and us, the seasoned campaigners. The push-to-pass option that provides a short-term boost of the Cup Scirocco’s power output by 50 to 275 hp is a particularly interesting feature. Since it takes 45 seconds before you can use it again you’ve got to make sure to use it in a way that best serves your tactics,” announced former F1 racer and current BBC pundit Martin Brundle.

1991 DTM champion and regular Le Mans driver Frank Biela will probably experience one of his most interesting weekends in his career, as he'll get to race against his own daughter Isabelle.

“Isabelle was often with me at the paddock, at Le Mans for example. It’ll probably be a funny feeling to compete against her. It’s a totally new experience for me and we’re both looking forward to it very much,” added 45-year-old driver from Neuss, who won the Le Mans 24 Hour race 5 times in the past.