FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipPodium finishes for Eriksson und Kari
Joel Eriksson (S) and Niko Kari (FIN) earned two podiums for Volkswagen in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The two youngsters each finished third at the Nürburgring (D) – Eriksson of Volkswagen customer team Motopark in race two, team-mate Kari in race three. Seventh place in the opening race and sixth in race three saw Eriksson (341 points) extend his lead in the Rookie competition in the most important junior series in Europe. Victory in the Eifel Mountains went to Lance Stroll (CDN), who won twice, and Maximilian Günther (D).
50 Years of Volkswagen MotorsportTake on the world rally champion: special exhibition well attended in Berlin
“50 Years of Excitement”: The special exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of Volkswagen Motorsport has attracted visitors from all over the world in its first week. The retrospective, which features vintage vehicles from throughout the history of Volkswagen Motorsport, can still be seen at the “DRIVE. Volkswagen Group Forum” in Berlin until 30 October 2016. Admission is free. Informative insights into various themed areas and interactive exhibition pieces bring the fascination of motorsport to life for visitors large and small. As well as a slotcar track, guests can also try their hand in a driving simulator, in which Volkswagen rally driver Sébastien Ogier (F) himself has set a time to aim at.
Global Touring CarsThird place for Volkswagen driver Hodges in Port Elizabeth
Matthew Hodges (ZA) was the best-placed Volkswagen driver on the second race weekend of the Global Touring Cars (GTC) series in Port Elizabeth (ZA). The South African, at the wheel of a Volkswagen Jetta, finished third to claim a spot on the podium in race two. Hodges came home sixth in races one and two in extremely wet conditions at the Aldo Scribante Race Circuit. Graeme Nathan (ZA, Volkswagen Jetta) was fourth in race three. Victories in Port Elizabeth went to Audi driver Michael Stephen (ZA). The next races will be held in Cape Town (ZA) on 24 September.
Japanese Formula 3 ChampionshipVolkswagen driver Takaboshi wins in Okayama, Mardenborough with one hand on title
Celebrations in Okayama (J): Volkswagen driver Mitsunori Takaboshi (J) tasted success in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. The Japanese won race two at the former Formula One circuit. A further two Volkswagen youngsters also claimed top ten results, in the form of Ye Hongli (CHN) in sixth and Jann Mardenborough (GB) in eighth place. Takaboshi finished runner-up in the opening race, just 0.552 seconds behind winner Kenta Yamashita (J, Toyota) after 18 laps of racing. Mardenborough narrowly missed out on a podium finish in race one, coming home fourth. Hongli was seventh. Mardenborough (88 points) leads the overall standings with three races remaining, followed by Yamashita (80).
Volkswagen Polo Cup RussiaPalkin wins in Saint Petersburg
Pavel Palkin (RUS) was successful on the fourth race weekend of the Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia. The man from Moscow won the rally in the region around the Russian metropolis Saint Petersburg, finishing ahead of his compatriot Evgeny Malakhov (RUS). The event was held on gravel and asphalt, with the drivers taking on nine special stages and a total of 85.82 kilometres against the clock.
Volkswagen Fun Cup FranceTeam TFE wins scorcher in Le Castellet
Team TFE won round seven of the season in the Volkswagen Fun Cup France in Le Castellet (F). The team’s number 219 car triumphed in the eight-hour race at the Circuit Paul Ricard, coming home ahead of the Défi Baticonfort and Milo Racing teams. Scorching temperatures in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region ensured there were plenty of beads of sweat under the drivers’ helmets. The next race weekend will take place from 30 September to 02 October in Lédenon (F) and features two races, each of which is three and a half hours in length.
Next up:
17/09/2016Global Rallycross, Seattle (USA)
16/09–18/09/2016FIA World Rallycross Championship, Barcelona (E)
16/09–18/09/2016TCR International Series, Singapore
17/09–18/09/2016British Touring Car Championship, Silverstone (GB)
