50 years of Volkswagen MotorsportSpecial exhibition in Berlin attracts more than 190,000 visitors
“50 Years of Excitement” was a resounding success: more than 190,000 visitors flocked to the special exhibition to mark the 50th birthday of Volkswagen Motorsport. The retrospective featuring historic Volkswagen Motorsport vehicles ran from 5 September to 30 October 2016 at the “DRIVE. Volkswagen Group Forum” in Berlin. Its informative insights and interactive exhibits covering various aspects of the sport impressed visitors from around the world and brought the fascination of motorsport to life, making it tangible for young and old alike. Hands-on exhibits included a slot car track and a WRC simulator offering the public a chance to try and beat the time set by Volkswagen’s rally driver Sébastien Ogier (F).
FIA World Rally ChampionshipAustralia: one-two victory for Volkswagen at its final event
Bowing out in style: Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger (N/N) and Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) gave Volkswagen a one-two victory at the car maker’s last event in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Mikkelsen/Jæger claimed their second season win at the 13th and final leg in Australia, giving them third place in the overall championship standings. Ogier/Ingrassia had already secured their fourth title in the Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ Championship back at the Rally Spain, when Volkswagen also clinched its fourth title in the Manufacturers’ Championship*. For Volkswagen, the end of the Rally Australia brings to a close an extremely successful era in the elite class of rallying. Since first entering the WRC in 2013, the Volkswagen Polo R WRC has taken part in 52 rounds and claimed a total of 43 overall wins. This makes the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg the most successful vehicle in the history of the WRC with a win rate of 82.7 per cent.
FIA Formula 3 World Cup in MacauTriumph for Volkswagen: Félix da Costa wins the season’s flagship event
Macau remains kind to Volkswagen: António Félix da Costa has given the German car maker its ninth win at the flagship event of the Formula 3 season. In a thrilling race overshadowed by several safety car phases, the Portuguese driver from Team Carlin relegated Felix Rosenqvist (S, Prema) to second place. It is the second time since 2012 that Félix da Costa has claimed victory powered by Volkswagen at the classic race meeting in the “Las Vegas of Asia”. This puts Volkswagen at the top of the list of the all-time best engine suppliers. Sérgio Sette Câmara (BRA, Carlin) finished third, giving the Wolfsburg-based marque another place on the podium.
TCR International SeriesComini takes the trophy in a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
Stefano Comini (CH) from the Volkswagen customer team Leopard Racing has claimed overall victory in the TCR International Series at the season finale in Macau. The Swiss driver paved the way for this triumph by winning the first of the two races – which was overshadowed by a number of accidents – at the legendary street circuit in his Golf GTI TCR. This meant Comini only needed to finish the second race fourth to be crowned champion, as in the previous season. Team Leopard Racing’s second driver, Jean-Karl Vernay (F), had reason to celebrate in Macau too. The Frenchman took second place in both races to move up into third position in the overall standings. This marks the end of a successful first season for the Golf GTI TCR. The compact, 325-horsepower car based on the seventh-generation Golf was only presented to the public in July 2015.
* Subject to confirmation by the FIA.
Next up:
25/11–27/11/2016FIA World Rallycross Championship, Rosario (RA)
26/11–27/11/2016TCR Portugal, Estoril (P)
26/11/2016Engen Volkswagen Cup South Africa, Zwartkops (ZA)
26/11/2016Global Touring Cars, Zwartkops (ZA)
