FIA World Rally ChampionshipOgier wins his fourth world championship title
Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) have won the FIA World Rally Championship* (WRC) for the fourth time in a row. The Frenchmen won the Rally Spain in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC to open an unassailable lead with two rallies remaining. The other two Volkswagen drivers’ hopes of victory in Catalonia were dashed before the final day of the rally. Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) damaged his suspension on the Friday, but went on to score three bonus points courtesy of victory on the closing Power Stage. Andreas Mikkelsen (N) crashed out on Saturday. Both he and co-driver Anders Jæger (N) were unhurt. Volkswagen is also on course to win the Manufacturers’ Championship and could be crowned world champions next time out at the penultimate rally in Great Britain. Volkswagen’s lead over its closest rival, Hyundai Motorsport, currently stands at 62 points. The penultimate rally of the season takes place from 27 to 30 October.
FIA World Rallycross ChampionshipBad luck for Kristoffersson in the finale at the Estering
A puncture in the finale at the Estering (D) scuppered the chances of Volkswagen RX Sweden driver Johan Kristoffersson (S) at round eleven of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Starting from the back of the grid, Kristoffersson had climbed four places on the opening lap of the race before a puncture to the rear-left tyre cut short his fightback. This also brought Kristoffersson’s hopes of winning the title to an end. Fifth place in the finale at the Estering was sufficient for rival Mattias Ekström (S, Audi) to wrap up the 2016 world championship title with one race still to come. The final round of the season will start on 25 November in Rosario, Argentina.
FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipEriksson wins 2016 Rookie competition with two second places
Joel Eriksson (S) was the best new driver in this year’s FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The Swede finished runner-up in Saturday’s second race of the final race weekend at the Hockenheimring (D). This was enough to earn him the title of best rookie in 2016. The driver from Volkswagen customer team Motopark produced another strong display on Sunday, finishing runner-up for the second day in a row. Jack Hughes (GB, Carlin) also made a good impression, coming home fourth and third in the final two races. This weekend’s event brought the 2016 season to a close. Canadian Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) had already wrapped up the overall title before the final round at the Hockenheimring.
GTI ChallengeWeyers and du Toit win after spectacular show
Kosie Weyers (ZA) and Nian du Toit (ZA) put on a spectacular show at the GTI Challenge race weekend at the Killarney circuit, fighting it out between themselves for victory in both races. Weyers, at the wheel of a Golf I GTI, benefited from the fact that du Toit had to start the first of the two races from the pit lane in his Jetta. Despite this, du Toit still managed to fight his way back to finish second. Race two was no less exciting: this time, du Toit had his nose in front, crossing the finish line just 0.8 seconds ahead of Weyers to take victory.
* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA.
Next up:
22/10–23/10/2016TCR Benelux, Assen (NL)
22/10/2016Engen Volkswagen Cup South Africa, Kyalami (ZA)
22/10/2016Global Touring Cars, Kyalami (ZA)
22/10–23/10/2016Volkswagen Fun Cup France, Nogaro (F)
