FIA World Rallycross ChampionshipFirst podium for Volkswagen RX Sweden

Seventh time lucky: Johan Kristoffersson (S) presented Volkswagen Team RX Sweden with its first podium in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX) courtesy of third place in Trois-Rivières (CDN). Team-mate Anton Marklund (S) also made it into the final, where he finished sixth. Canada remains a happy stomping ground for the 600-hp Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar, which now has three podiums in a row there. “We have often come so close this season, but now we have finally done it,” said a pleased Kristoffersson, who is now just three points off third place in the Drivers’ Championship. The next WRX event takes place in Lohéac (F) from 2 to 4 September.

TCR GermanyLeuchter picks up valuable points

Benjamin Leuchter (D) scored valuable points towards the TCR Germany Drivers’ Championship with the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR at his home event at the Nürburgring. The driver from the Racing One team finished sixth in Saturday’s opening race in the Eifel region. He then went one better on the Sunday, finishing fifth. Tom Lautenschlager (D) of the Engstler team also had cause for celebration in the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, ending both races as the best-placed junior. The next race weekend in TCR Germany takes place from 19 to 21 August in Zandvoort (NL).

Volkswagen Polo Cup RussiaBukhantsov wins the Rally Wyborg

Aleksandr Bukhantsov (RUS) won the third race of the season in the Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia. The Russian won the 81.2-kilometre Rally Vyborg in the Russian oblast of Leningrad. Over two days, the participants had to master eight special stages on demanding gravel routes. Bukhantsov eventually came out on top, finishing ahead of his compatriots Evgeny Malakhov in second place and Anatoly Scherbak in third. The next round of the Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia will take place from 15 to 17 September in the region around Saint Petersburg (RUS).

Volkswagen Racing Cup UKHouse moves into the overall lead

Phil House (GB) moved to the top of the overall standings at the fifth race weekend of the Volkswagen Racing Cup UK. House, at the wheel of a Volkswagen Scirocco, emerged from a thrilling battle with pole-sitter Dennis Strandberg (S) to take victory in the first of the two races at the 4.81-kilometre circuit in Snetterton (GB). Rob Allum (GB, Golf) completed the podium. House also had every reason to celebrate in race two: third place saw him wrest the championship lead from Bobby Thompson (GB), who finished outside the points. Victory in race two went to Tom Witts, ahead of Kenan Dole (both GB, both Golf). The next race weekend of the Racing Cup UK will be held in Donington (GB) on 10 and 11 September.

VAG TrophyStrandberg grabs his first brace

Dennis Strandberg won twice in Snetterton (GB) in the VAG Trophy. The Swede dominated from start to finish to win race one, seven seconds clear of Darelle Wilson (GB) in second place. Third place went to Kenan Dole (GB), who had been embroiled in a fascinating battle for second with Wilson for long stretches of the race. Race two went down to the wire. Paul Taylor (GB) and Wilson were scrapping for the win going into the final corner. However, they then collided, opening the door for Strandberg to charge through and take victory in the final few metres. Oulton Park (GB) hosts the next races in the VAG Trophy on 20 August.

GTI Challenge South AfricaDu Toit wins both races in Killarney

Nian du Toit (ZA) made his mark on the GTI Challenge race weekend at the Killarney circuit in South Africa. He won both races in the Volkswagen Jetta. Du Toit started race one from pole position and soon pulled clear of the field, ultimately finishing two seconds clear of Jano van der Westhuizen (ZA, Polo) and Mario Roux (Polo). Race two also went to du Toit, again ahead of van der Westhuizen. The GTI Challenge returns to the racetrack in Killarney for its next races on 3 September.

Next up:

13/08–14/08/2016British Touring Car Championship, Knockhill (GB)