FIA World Rally ChampionshipStanley Cup winner at Volkswagen test in Finland
Jumps, Stanley Cup winners and surprise visitors – the Volkswagen drivers prepared for the Rally Finland (28 – 31 July) with an eventful test weekend. Test driver Marcus Grönholm (FIN) and the regular driving duos of Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger (N/N) all drove the Volkswagen Polo R WRC from the current season and the 2017 car in Jämsä, Finland. “That was my kind of test,” said Latvala. “The conditions were ideal and we were able to prepare for the numerous jumps that await us at the Rally Finland. The large number of spectators shows once again just how much enthusiasm this country has for rally sport.” Olli Määttä was just as enthusiastic. The Finnish ice hockey pro, who won the Stanley Cup this year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, took a ride in the passenger seat of the Polo R WRC with his compatriot Latvala at the wheel. “That was a unique experience,” said Määttä. “It’s crazy how Jari-Matti has the car under control.” Another Finn provided the biggest surprise of the weekend: rally legend Ari Vatanen dropped in unannounced to pay the Volkswagen team a visit.
TCR GermanyLeuchter and Lautenschlager best-placed Volkswagen drivers in Styria
Four finishes in the top 10 – that was the story of the fourth race weekend of the TCR Germany season for the Golf GTI TCR. Benjamin Leuchter (D, Racing One) and Tom Lautenschlager (D, Engstler Motorsport) were the best-placed Volkswagen drivers. Leuchter claimed sixth place in the first race on Saturday afternoon. Tim Zimmermann (D, Engstler Motorsport) finished ninth in the 330 HP touring car from Wolfsburg. Victory went to Josh Files (GB, Honda). Lautenschlager finished fifth in the second race in Styria, while Kai Jordan (D, JBR Motorsport) also recorded a top 10 finish as he crossed the line in ninth place. Steve Kirsch (D, Honda) was victorious in the second race.
Next up:
28/07–31/07/2016FIA World Rally Championship, Finland
28/07/2016Global Rallycross, Washington, D.C. (USA)
28/07–30/07/2016FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Spa-Francorchamps (B)
30/07–31/07/2016British Touring Car Championship, Snetterton (GB)
