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Launched in 2000, the Volkswagen Racing Cup is widely
regarded as the most exciting saloon car championship in
the UK and for 2009 it remains the sole saloon support
race in the prestigious British Formula 3/British GT
Championship package.
Open to any model of racing Volkswagen, the Cup has
attracted drivers of the Beetle RSi, Corrado, Vento &
Golf VR6, Golf GTI of every generation, Polo, Lupo and
Bora models. For a car to be allowed to race in the
Championship, it will need to be issued with a
Volkswagen Racing logbook. To be eligible for this, it
must either be a car that has competed in the
championship in the past two years, or if it is new to
the championship, it must be less than 10 years old.
Engine usage has been as varied as car choice, with
turbocharged and even turbodiesel power joining the
established four and six cylinder engines. This variety
of machinery, representing Volkswagens of all ages, has
made for one of the most colourful and diverse grids in
motorsport, and is always a real hit with spectators.
The innovative regulations put all cars into a single
class based on power to weight ratios. The idea of a
lightweight Polo GTI challenging a powerful V6 Beetle
and a torquey TDI Golf for overall victory is a real
experience for drivers, teams and spectators alike.
2008 sees continued stability of the regulations, which
is a fundamental principle behind the championship. For
unlike 'one-make' championships, cars developed for the
Volkswagen Racing Cup can be assured of many years of
racing under stable regulations. This means that teams
and drivers can invest in the cost of a new car
confident in the knowledge that the car will remain
eligible and its value will be retained over years to
come.
With Volkswagen Racing UK running the series, direct
manufacturer involvement ensures the stability and
profile that the championship deserves over future
years. The championship features the major benefit of
Sky Sports television coverage, plus a high quality
hospitality service, and other benefits for competitors
throughout the season.
The double header race format of the racing features
seven weekends in the UK, which keeps the time and cost
commitment of teams and drivers lower than most other
series, and provides spectators with a very full day of
Volkswagen action.
High standards of driving and presentation befitting a
championship with manufacturer backing and television
coverage are expected of all participating drivers and
teams. But above all, the Volkswagen Racing Cup remains
a friendly championship where team spirit and
camaraderie in the paddock count for more than on-track
heroics.
Press quotes
evo, Simon Harrison: 'I've never seen anything quite
like the Volkswagen Cup. Boasting an example of just
about every type of VW model and powertrain, from
normally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines to
surprisingly potent turbo diesels... the regulations are
a clever piece of work.'
Autosport, Marcus Pye: 'Volkswagen Racing's championship
has blossomed into the best-looking and most competitive
multi-model marque series on the current national
calendar.'
Car magazine, Jason Barlow: 'The Volkswagen Racing Cup
is a ferociously competitive championship... everyone
should take to the track at least once in their life.
They might just get hooked.'
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