The VW Cup Will Return To Snetterton In 2012, Whilst Also Making A Trip To Spa

The calendar for the 2012 Volkswagen Racing Cup has been announced, with a first ever visit to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium the highlight of a seven event season.

The championship has been invited to Spa by Volkswagen Belgium, the sponsor of the annual 25-hour Fun Cup race, with the VW Cup will sponsor. Alongside this, the championship will have six UK-based meetings, racing alongside the DTM series at Brands Hatch in May and alongside the British F3/GT meetings at Oulton Park, Rockingham, Snetterton, Donington Park and Silverstone.

Volkswagen Racing UK Championship manager Sam Roach said: “The Volkswagen Racing Cup competitors thoroughly enjoyed their first overseas visits in 2010 and ’11, to Zandvoort, and I know that they will be blown away by the opportunity to compete at the best circuit in the world at what will be a large and popular event. It’s great news and a real honour for the championship to have been invited.”

2012 Volkswagen Racing Cup provisional calendar

Zoe Wenham (Photo Credit: Marc Waller)

Hi Everyone! I would firstly like to say how excited I am to be sharing my racing blogs with so many people so a huge thanks to TCF for giving me this opportunity!

For 2011 I have been racing in the Volkswagen Racing Cup in a Mk5 Golf GTi with Slidesports which has given me a brilliant opportunity to be right at the sharp end of the grid and creating a good stepping stone towards my next challenges before hoping to reach the British Touring Car Championship. I was pleased to be carrying on with 2010’s sponsor Supagard where they would help me to achieve success this year.

The season started in April at Oulton Park where I scored my first top 10 result in the championship and from then until now I have been consistently in the top 10 having scored 6 out of 10 rounds. These have taken place at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Zandvoort and Rockingham most recently where a new sponsor joined me – Awesome GTI.

Zoe scored her first podium in Zandvoort, finishing second behind the points leader (Photo Credit: Chris Schontus)

So far I have managed to be the highest qualifying female driver in the history of the championship at Brands Hatch with a 3rd place. Unfortunately the races didn’t go as I had hoped but I still loved the track and was positive heading to Zandvoort in Holland. At Zandvoort I scored my first 2nd place finish which I was extremely happy with after leading part of the race only to be bumper to bumper and finally beaten by the current championship leader. I finally got my first podium under my belt and with that came another three history titles… I am now the highest placed female in a Volkswagen Cup race, the first female on the podium in a Volkswagen Cup race and also the youngest driver on the podium in a Volkswagen Cup race! I now have my targets set high and I hope to be challenging for more podium positions and even a race win before the season is over.

I have two rounds left of the championship and I am currently 6th hoping to move up by the end of the year. Donington Park is on the 25th September and Silverstone is on the 8th October so if anyone is around please feel free to pop over and have a chat!

A little bit more information on me is that I am currently at sixth form in Evesham studying 3 A Level subjects and I am also part of the MSA Academy which has been extremely beneficial to me by enabling me to develop my skills for use in the motorsport world. I can usually be found wandering round the BTCC paddocks too so if you ever see me, please say ‘Hi’ I’m always willing to have a chat.

A new sponsor - Awesome GTI - joined Zoe for the most recent round at Rockingham (Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey)

Best Wishes,

Zoe x

Driven by saloon ace Nick Beaumont, the new Golf sped to its maiden pole position before narrowly missing out on a maiden podium race finish, finishing sixth and fourth around the Northamptonshire circuit.

Beaumont believes there’s more to come, commenting: “The new Golf has been a challenge. We have been developing the car in front of people at the circuits with nothing to hide. The first time the car ran was the Monday before the Brands Hatch race weekend in June, with very good results from the start – the potential was there to be seen in the car.

“Then we went to Zandvoort and found some time in the car, but not enough. For Rockingham the team made a very big step forward to make the Golf very competitive right from the first test on Friday afternoon; this was a shock to a few people in the pit lane. From then on we were really able to show the potential that we knew was there from the outset.”

The cars new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, giving out 250bhp, means the car is totally different to its previous models and it’s a real positive for the car, as Nick adds: “The new engine has very good torque and delivers the power well and, combined with the chassis modifications, it really is a completely new race car, the next generation of Golf GTI, and I believe it will win many races and, in the future, the championship.”

Volkswagen Racing UK Director Melissa Wright is delighted to welcome the car to the grid, concluding:“We are delighted to embrace the new Golf because its technology is exactly that which buyers of new showroom Volkswagen models find in their cars.

“The technology within the Mk V Golf, which is a favourite with many competitors, is 10 years old now, and the Mk VI will take over. That said, older models of Volkswagen will always be welcome in the championship because diversity is one of its many attractions.”

The Corby-based squad uses motorsport as a platform to help 14 to 18 year olds from the local area achieve GCSE-level qualifications in motor vehicle repairs and engineering. The team’s Golf has been converted from a donated road car into a racing machine by the students over the last five months.

The car is set for its debut at the team’s local track Rockingham, though who will drive the car has yet to be decided, with the team working with a number of different drivers. The team, who has previously ran cars in single-seater series, MG Car Club saloon events and, last year, the Fiat Abarth series, hope to expand to run a two-car team in the series in 2012.

Team boss Paul Kneeshaw said: “Since the demise of the Fiat championship we’ve been looking for a suitable series and the Volkswagen Racing Cup ticks all the right boxes in terms of the level of professionalism of the teams and the engineering of the cars. We are really looking forward to it.”

Championship manager Melissa Wright added: “We are over the moon to see Lunar Racing joining the championship. It is a great initiative for grass-roots motorsport and I know that the other competitors will be pleased to see the team and to offer them all the help they can.

“It is great also that Lunar has chosen an older-model Golf for the project, which adds further to the diversity of the grid, something for which the championship is justly famous.”

Round 7

Kieran Griffin continued his good run of form by putting his Scirocco on pole. He got a great start to lead into turn one, but race control deemed it a jump start, giving him a drive-through penalty. He didn’t get to chance the penalty though, when a crash on lap two when defending from James Walker saw his race over.

After a brief safety car period, it was Aaron Mason who held the lead in his Golf GTI, with Chaplin and Walker in close pursuit. A superb restart saw Mason pull a 2.7 second lead, but Chaplin closed the gap within two laps and made a move at the first corner, resulting in Mason running wide and losing places with a trip through the gravel.

This left Chaplin with a clear run to the finish for his second win of the season, 5.8 seconds clear of Joe Fulbrook, who worked his way up from sixth on the grid. Chaplin also played his ‘Joker’ card, giving him double points for the win. On his home circuit, Peter Lettinga put in his best performance of the year to take his maiden VW Cup podium.

Walker ended up fourth, with the impressive Wenham fifth, just ahead of Tim Snaylam. Mike Kurton brought his Scirocco home seventh, ahead of Thomas Wilson, Martyn Walsh and Nick Beaumont, taking the best result so far for the new Mk VI Golf. Simon Elliot in his Caddy took twelfth, with Mason ending up sixteenth.

Round 8

The reverse grid gave Snaylam pole, with the Golf GTI driver holding the lead for five laps ahead of Wenham. Behind, Fulbrook began his charge through the field, moving up to third, with Chaplin passing Lettinga and then Walker to take fourth.

Wenham worked her way into the lead on lap six, but the joy was short lived, with Chaplin working his way through a couple of corners later. Wenham pressured the Beetle in front hard, but couldn’t find a way past, while behind a furious battle emerged for third between Snaylam and Fulbrook.

Chaplin crossed the line 1.5 seconds clear to take his second win of the weekend, while Wenham took second for her maiden podium finish in the VW Cup. Snaylam finished third for his first podium, with his points score boosted as he played his joker car pre-race. Fulbrook took fourth, ahead of Walker, Lettinga and Mason, who rose from the back of the grid to seventh. Griffin, Wilson and Kurton completed the top ten.

Provisional championship standings
1 Chaplin 376 points

2 Mason 306

3 James Walker 300

4 Fulbrook 268

5 Steve Wood 250

6 Lettinga 242

7 Snaylam 206

8 Wenham 198

9 Richard Walker 176

10 Wilson 166 etc.

A superb start at the beginning of Round Five saw Griffin leap from fourth on the grid into the lead by the exit of Paddock Hill in his Addison Lee-backed Scirocco R. Pole sitter Steve Chaplin slotted into third place in his Beetle RSI, with the Golf GTI of James Walker also finding its way past.

Teenager Zoe Wenham held fourth place in her Golf, just ahead of Richard Walker and Peter Wyhinny in his Seat Cupra R. Losing out on the opening lap was Mason, who had qualified second but dropped to ninth on the opening lap. He mounted a superb comeback though and was up to fourth by the end of lap four, with Wenham slipping out of contention after a lap two pit stop.

A change for second took place on lap five, with Chaplin passing James Walker at Surtees, before chasing down Griffin ahead. He went for a move on lap eleven at Druids, but was thwarted by a yellow flag caused by the stranded Golf of Mark Howard.

This allowed Griffin, brother of BTCC racer Liam, to take the win from Chaplin, with Mason finishing third. James Walker took fourth just ahead of Joe Fulbrook in his Bora, with Richard Walker sixth ahead of Steve Wood, Wyhinny, Thomas Wilson and Dutch racer Peter Lettinga. Sadly the debut of the new Mk VI Golf GTI was cut short with driver Nick Beaumont retiring after a melee at Paddock Hill on lap one.

Griffin, whose win was his first in three season in the series, said: “It was a great race, and a great feeling to have secured my first win in the championship. The start was key, after that it was a matter of keeping it steady and balanced. I’m sure there is still a lot more to come from the car.”

Round Six Winner Aaron Mason

 

With the top six reversed for race two’s grid, Richard Walker started on pole alongside Mason. Walker just held on to the lead in the wet conditions ahead of Mason and a fast starting, who gained three places on the start, but the lead was short lived as he retired soon after. This gave Mason the lead from Wood and James Walker, while behind a furious battle emerged for fourth, led by Wenham who had worked her way up from fifteenth on the grid.

Wenham was to drop back as the dry line developed though, leaving Griffin holding off Wyhinny, Fulbrook and Chaplin. Griffins race ended in the gravel on lap eight, with Chaplin now up to third ahead of Wood. The man on the move was Fulbrook though, his slick tyres coming into their own as the race reached its conclusion, letting him lap over two seconds a lap quicker than anyone, allowing him to wrestle into third place. 

Ahead, Mason was getting caught by James Walker, but held on for the win, with Fulbrook third, setting the races fastest lap comfortably Chaplin took fourth from Wyhinny, Wood, Lettinga, Wenham and Howard, with Simon Elliot completing the top ten in his New Caddy Racer.

Mason commented: “My tyres were suffering towards the end and really didn’t think I could hold on, but obviously James was in a worse situation than I was. One lap longer, it might have been different.”

Mason holds a 12 point championship advantage heading to the next rounds in Zandvoort, Holland, with Wood second and Chaplin third. In addition to title backer FUCHS Lubricants, the Volkswagen Racing Cup is supported by Hankook Tyres, Paragon, Milltek Sport, Superchips, Ceva Logistics and ECM Vehicle Delivery.

The car will make its debut to celebrate the 35^th birthday of the Golf GTI and will be running a special ‘Golf GTI 35’ livery for the weekend. The car, prepared for the track by Volkswagen Racing UK, will be driven by former BTCC driver Nick Beaumont.

Melissa Wright of Volkswagen Racing UK said: “The original Golf GTI was launched in June 1976 and so our June meeting at Brands Hatch seemed the appropriate moment to launch the latest racing version of the car. It is early days to expect the Mk VI to be taking the fight to the Mk V model, which has become the mainstay of the championship, but the new car has tested well and shows lots of promise.

“It’s important that we, as the championship promoter, help to keep the series fresh with the introduction of new models and technology, especially the new engines being introduced to road models by Volkswagen.”

With the first four races producing four different winners, the VW Cup is consistently producing close, unpredictable racing, while also boasting the healthiest grid size of any upper-level national saloon championship.

Steve Wood heads the standings heading to Kent, despite being the only driver in the top four yet to have won a race, with the Golf driver picking up a double podium result last time out. Eight points behind is Aaron Mason, who took a win at Snetterton in his Golf GTI, with reigning champion Steve Chaplin not far behind in his ‘Herbie’ Beetle RSI, taking one win so far and not finishing off the podium all season.

The other race winners are James Walker and double champion Joe Fulbrook, both of whom took a win at the season opener at Oulton Park on Easter Monday. Golf driver Walker sits fourth in the points, just ahead of his dad Richard, while Bora driver Fulbrook lies sixth after a disastrous weekend in Norfolk, however he hopes to repeat his double Brands win from 2010.

In addition to title backer FUCHS Lubricants, the Volkswagen Racing Cup is supported by Hankook Tyres, Paragon, Milltek Sport, Superchips, Ceva Logistics and ECM Vehicle Delivery.

Maidenhead-based Fulbrook dominated qualifying to take pole position by almost half a second for the opening race, with Walker alongside him in his Golf Mk V GTI. A good start for Fulbrook saw him lead into the first corner, from Walker, Peter Felix, reigning champion Steve Chaplin, Steve Wood and Kieran Griffin.

An early battle emerged between Felix and Wood, with the latter getting past at the hairpin on the opening lap, before Golf driver Felix hit back at Old Hall on the next lap, before defending hard into Cascades to maintain the position.

Capitalising from this was Griffin, brother of BTCC racer Liam, with a good run to Island Bend seeing him gain two places for fifth, with Wood dropping back to seventh behind Richard Walker, who had worked his way up from thirteenth on the grid. Griffin quickly lost one of those places again on lap three though, with Walker finding his way by at Old Hall on lap three.

As the action cooled, it was left to 2008 and 2009 champion Fullbrook to cruise home for victory in his Bora, with James Walker and Chaplin completing the podium. Fourth place went down to the wire, with Felix just holding off Richard Walker, ahead of Griffin and Wood. Mike Kurton finished eighth in his Scirocco, with SEAT Cupra R driver Jamie Corstophine and Tim Snaylam completing the top ten. Aaron Mason, who was expected to challenge at the front, finished thirteenth after brake problems forced him to start from the pitlane.

Race two was set to see Griffin line up on pole, but a loss of drive forced him into retirement at the end of the green flag lap. This allowed fellow front row start Richard Walker to lead into Old Hall, ahead of Felix, Chaplin and Fulbrook.

Losing out early on was Chaplin in his ‘Herbie’ Beetle RSI, getting passed by Fullbrook and then to James Walker. At the front, Felix grabbed the lead from Richard Walker at Lodge on the opening lap, before the places switched back at Old Hall at the beginning of lap two.

The front four began to bunch up, with Fullbrook pressuring Felix for second, but unable to find a way past. He was quickly focusing on defending rather than attacking though, with James Walker pressuring him hard, eventually finding his way past on lap five, before gaining another place when Felix was forced to pit from second on lap nine with a damaged wheel and suspension.

This allowed James Walker to chase down his father Richard in the lead, with the latter offering no opportunities for him to get through until the final lap, when he went wide on the grass, which allowed Walker Jnr through the take the win, with Fullbrook and Chaplin also getting through to complete the podium. Walker Snr recovered for fourth, with Wood fifth and Mason working his way to sixth from thirteenth on the grid. Kurton took seventh, with Zoe Wenham, the series youngest competitor, taking a superb eighth, ahead of Snaylam and Martyn Walsh.

Provisional championship standings
1= Fulbrook 86pts

1=James Walker 86

3 Chaplin 76

4 Richard Walker 72

5 Wood 64

6 Kurton 58

7= Mason

7=Snaylam 52

9 Walsh 48

10 Wenham 46 etc

46 year old Howard hung up his helmet after winning the title, but returns to make history by giving the Mk VI Golf GTI it’s British racing debut at the Cheshire circuit.

Nottinghamshire-based Howard said: “I’ve always wanted to come back to racing. But I knew that I was addicted, so I stayed away while I built my business and started a family. Then I started to look around at what I could do and considered several options, not knowing whether I had been away too long and whether I still had ‘it’.

“Then I found the Volkswagen Racing Cup, which is a brilliant and very friendly series, and within three weeks of seeing the plans for the new Golf, here I am, all signed up and raring to go.”

The new Golf will feature a special ’35 years of the GTI’ livery, as Melissa Wight, of its creators Volkswagen Racing UK, explains: “We like to do a ‘new car project’ every season and also wanted to do something to celebrate 35 years of the Golf GTI; it seemed appropriate to turn the latest incarnation of what has become an iconic breed into a racing car. We had almost completed the build when Mark came along so, as we were looking for someone to drive it, it seemed perfect timing.

“We have had enormous experience with building Mk V Golf GTI models, so it was not a difficult operation for us, and the engine in the Mk VI is the same as that seen in the racing Sciroccos, so that was a help also. The car looks awesome and we are delighted that Mark has come out of retirement to drive it.”

Howard will join a bumper grid for the VW Cup season opening at Oulton, with twenty four cars set to take to the grid. Fourteen Golfs will be taking part, competing against Sciroccos, Beetles, a Bora and a new GTI-engined Caddy van.

Ones to watch will be last year’s champion Steve Chaplin in his ‘Herbie’-liveried Beetle, 2009 title-winner Joe Fulbrook returning in his turbocharged Bora, 2010 championship runner up Peter Felix, race winners from last season Aaron Mason and Richard Walker and the youngest member of the grid, 16 year old Zoe Wenham.

In addition to title backer FUCHS Lubricants, the Volkswagen Racing Cup is supported by Hankook Tyres, Paragon, Milltek Sport, Superchips, Ceva Logistics and ECM Vehicle Delivery.

VOLKSWAGEN RACING CUP with Fuchs Lubricants, Oulton Park provisional entry list

2  Peter FELIX  (Derby)  Edynamix/20Ten Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
4  Zoe WENHAM  (Tewkesbury)  SlideSports  Golf GTI Mk V
6  Mark HOWARD  (Westborough)  Volkswagen Racing UK  Golf GTI Mk VI
7  Tim SNAYLAM  (Bolton)  Allied Nippon  Golf GTI Mk V
8  Aaron MASON  (Doncaster)  Comline/AWM  Golf GTI Mk V
9  Jamie CORSTOPHINE  (Teddington)  Volkswagen Racing UK  SEAT Leon Cupra
13  Joe FULBROOK  (Maidenhead)  Warranty Direct Racing  Bora
20  Mike KURTON  (Corse Lawn)  SlideSports  Scirocco R
21  Richard WALKER  (Tuxford)  KPM Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
24  Phil MORRIS  (Congleton)  KPM Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
31  Thomas WILSON  (Castle Combe)  Driver  Golf GTI Mk V
32  Kieran GRIFFIN  (Essendon)  Addison Lee/SlideSports  Scirocco R
33  Simon ELLIOTT  (Coggenhoe)  Volkswagen Racing UK  New Caddy
38  Steve WOOD  (Ashleworth)  Driver  Golf GTI Mk V
44  Robin RILEY  (Milton Keynes)  KPM Racing  Beetle RSI
46  Andrew SMITH  (Sale)  Vis-Tuning  Beetle TDI
48  Richard MORGAN  (Chichester)  Driver  Golf GTI Mk V
50  Peter LETTINGA  (Bentveld/NL)  KPM Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
51  Simon ANDREWS  (Liphook)  Warranty Direct Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
53  Steve CHAPLIN  (Maisemore)  Complete Utilities  Beetle RSI
69  James WALKER  (Normanton)  KPM Racing  Golf GTI Mk V
92  Martyn WALSH  (Chipping Norton)  AWM  Golf GTI Mk V
96  Cameron THOMPSON  (Warwick)  KPM Racing  Beetle RSI
99  Mark CLYNES  (Manchester)  SlideSports  Golf GTI Mk V

The 16 year old competed in a Polo last year and is looking to move up the grid this season, hoping to pick up a podium finish and end the year in the top six in the championship.

Wenham said: “We opted for the Golf this year because it’s a proven car, so I can concentrate on my driving and improving my results rather than developing the car.

 “I was the only girl in 2010 and I think I will be again this year, which is a shame in one way but at least it makes me unique and offers me the opportunity to capitalize on that individuality. I’m pleased that the guys treat me as they would any other competitor, though it’s clear that some don’t like it too much when they are beaten by a woman.”

The Supagard and Geometric Manufacturing backed driver passed her ARDS track license aged 13 and competed in the junior Saxmax series for two years, before joining the VW Cup last year. Alongside her racing, she is taking the MSA’s Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence at Loughborough University.

Championship manager Melissa Wright said: “Zoe made a really positive start to her Volkswagen Racing Cup career and we very much hope that she will progress to become not only the most successful woman driver we have seen in the series but also the youngest race winner.”

Wiltshire-based Wilson moves from his background in motorcycle racing after seeing family friend and reigning champion Steve Chaplin racing whetted his appetite for car racing. He has brought a RacingLine built Mk V Golf GTI, which he and his father, Jonathan will maintain meetings, with help from Chaplin.

Thomas said: “I have raced karts and bikes off road and seeing Steve at the wheel whetted my appetite for circuit racing.”

53 year old Morgan, from Chichester, has also acquired a RacingLine-built Mk V Golf GTI to use in his debut season in car racing.

Richard commented: “I have been racing bikes for years, but the problem is that as you get older it takes longer to pick yourself up when you fall off. But I still have a burning desire to compete and have been looking around for something to race.

“The Volkswagen Racing Cup is ideal for me because it is a very friendly championship, the cars need not cost a fortune to own and race, and yet it is very competitive.”

Commenting on the attraction of two new drivers, Championship director Melissa Wright said: “Over the championship’s 11 seasons we have provided a great environment in which dozens of novice racers have taken their first steps in racing. Many have gone on to win races and championships, and that is a great honour. We are sure that Thomas and Richard are going to have a superb time and gain valuable experience.”

The Volkswagen Racing Cup has proved a superb starting place for drivers looking to move up the tin-top ladder. This is confirmed with two former series regulars making the step up to the British Touring Car Championship in 2011, with Liam Griffin signing for Airwaves Racing and 2007 champion Tony Gilham joining Triple Eight.

Reigning champion Chaplin will defend his title in his ‘Herbie’ liveried Beetle RSI, his sixth season in the car. Mason, will challenge in his Golf GTI which took him to three wins on his way to third in the championship last season, though for the new season, will be run with a DSG semi-automatic gearbox.

Doncaster based Mason explains: “Nobody seems really to have explored the potential of the DSG in a front-running car, so we thought we’d give it a try to see if it gains us some time. We have tested it once already but the system needs more work before we can be sure it is an advantage.”

The 31-year-old has clear aims for the new season, adding: “The objective in 2010 was the podium, and our first podium was a win, which was absolutely brilliant. The plan for 2011 is to bag a few more wins and, above all, to be consistent.”

Joining Mason in the AWM Comline squad will be Tim Snaylam and Martyn Walsh, the drivers who won the teams championship prize alongside him last season. Both drivers will also race Golfs, with Walsh looking to build on a strong rookie year in 2010 that saw him come 12^th in the championship.

Fuchs Lubricants UK marketing manager Richard Barrett said: “We enjoyed a great first season with the Volkswagen Racing Cup and continue to be thrilled to be title sponsor of such a competitive high calibre series. Our premium Titan Race range has been developed significantly through our links with top level motorsport. This ongoing development process ensures FUCHS customers continue to enjoy maximum performance and protection on the road and on the track.”

Championship director Melissa Wright added: “We are delighted that Fuchs Lubricants remains a partner of the Volkswagen Racing Cup for 2011. It has been a good association and a popular one with competitors.”

The VW Racing Cup is set for another strong season in 2011, with a regular slot alongside the British GT Championship. It will support the series at six UK rounds, as well as returning to Zandvoort in the Netherlands in July.

Wright added: “The championship enjoyed an average grid of 25 cars in 2010, and we have every expectation that this figure will grow in the coming season. Many of last year’s competitors are returning, and there will be an influx also of novices, underling the championship’s reputation as a great place to begin a racing career.”

Volkswagen Racing Cup with FUCHS Lubricants
Provisional calendar 2011
25 Apr  Oulton Park
15 May  Snetterton 300
19 Jun  Brands Hatch GP
02 Jul  Zandvoort (NL)
04 Sep  Rockingham
25 Sep  Donington Park
09 Oct  Silverstone Arena

The championship will line up alongside the British GT Championship at six of its UK dates, as well as returning to Zandvoort in the Netherlands for a special summer event.

“This year, the championship’s 10th anniversary, was its strongest yet,” said series manager Melissa Wright. “The Volkswagen Racing Cup average grid size was 25 cars, and we know from advance enquiries that we are very likely to exceed that figure in 2011.

“The continued stability of the excellent regulations and a good calendar are key to the championship’s success, and we are delighted to have been invited to return to Zandvoort, the venue this season for our first overseas foray. Competitors will also welcome the chance to race the new Snetterton ‘300’ circuit, as well as the ‘Arena’ track at Silverstone.”

Fans of the series will get their first taste of the series at the 2011 Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC on 15-16 January, with cars from the series featuring in the Live Action Arena shows.

Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants
Provisional calendar 2011
25 Apr  Oulton Park
15 May  Snetterton 300
19 Jun  Brands Hatch GP
02 Jul  Zandvoort (NL)
04 Sep  Rockingham
25 Sep  Donington Park
09 Oct  Silverstone Arena

Chaplin headed into the final weekend with a comfortable margin over nearest rival Paul Taylor, but still needed a strong showing to secure the championship. There was a scare in race one, contact with Richard Walker spinning Chaplin off track, but the Maisemore-based driver recovered to take fourth. He wrapped up the title in the final race with a solid drive to second place, his eighth podium of the season, including one victory.

After five years of campaigning ‘Herbie’ in the VW Cup, Chaplin is relieved to have finally got the silverware: “We have been hunting it down for a while. This is a hard-fought championship and it seems like an awful long time that we have been plodding away at it. The way the points work, one minute you seem miles in front and the next you are right back in the mix again. I haven’t enjoyed defending my lead all year. I go to races to win, to do my best, and this defending business isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“I couldn’t have done it without the help of my  team, and in particular John Dowds, Craig Davis and Chris Jones, nor without the support I have received from Power Station, AST and Complete Utilities; I’m very grateful to everyone who has assisted along the way.”

Looking ahead to 2011, Chaplin hopes to come back and defend his title, but is also looking to use the experienced he has gained to move into GT-racing: “This is an excellent championship with some wonderful people in it, and I’ve made some great friends. It’s like a holiday going to the races; you come away from work, see all the familiar faces, and I always get the feeling that an awful lot of people are willing me to do well.”

How old are you?
I’m 16 and the youngest ever competitor in the championship.

Photo credit: Marc Waller

How long have you been racing?
I’ve been racing karts since I was 9 (so 7 years) and cars since the age of 14.

What was your first race?
My first kart race was in a Honda Cadet at Llandow Kart Club. & My first car race was in the Saxmax Championship at Pembrey, South Wales.

What is your best racing memory?
My best racng memory has to be either my first place at Rye House when I received the biggest cheer ever when I was awarded my trophy or when I qualified 3rd at Oulton Park in Saxmax as it was so close at the top.

How has your 2010 season been so far?
My 2010 season hasn’t been great, my Polo that was built is not right at the moment and so I’ve been really far off the pace. To prove to myself and others that I can actually be a good driver on the 28th August I raced a Golf instead and on the test day I was 5th quickest. Unfortunately from then on it went down hill but I did regain a lot of my confidence.

What are your plans for 2011?
For 2011 I will continue in the VW Cup and hopefully gain some podiums, wins and ultimately the championship. This all depends on the performance of the Polo between now and then and any financial backing I can get to help me.

Photo credit (top): Chris Gurton Photography

Mark Blundell showed he had not lost his ability behind the wheel in qualifying as he took third place on the grid. Herbert qualified sixth and Brundle tenth, whilst Bell had struggled and took the penultimate grid slot on 23^rd. Pole was taken by German Kris Heidorn ahead of fellow countryman Jann-Hendrik Ubben.

It was Heidorn who headed the pack into the first corner at Paddock whilst Blundell had dropped into the clutches of Herbert. Aditya Patel, who started fourth paid an early visit to the gravel at Paddock Hill bend which finished his race and bought out the safety car to bunch up the pack. When the safety car took to the pit lane, Heidorn set about building a lead on the chasing pack. With battles going on all the way down the pack, thanks to the push to pass facility enabling an extra 50bhp which can be used 15 times during the race, it was the fight between Mark Blundell and Johnny Herbert for fourth which caught the attention of the crowed.

Blundell was keeping Herbert at bay despite having used none of his push to passes in the early stages. Martin Brundle had made up a few places further back but was unable to catch his fellow ex formula one drivers. Meanwhile, Derek Bell was battling it out at the back of the pack looking unlikely to make up many places.

As the race progressed into the second half if looked like the tactics of Mark Blundell were going to pay off. He had the most push to passes available to him than the rest of the pack. Whilst they had been using them in the jostle for positions in the early stages, Blundell had saved his to help him mount a charge towards the end. He was pulling away from Herbert and was reeling in Maciek Steinhof. It didn’t take long for the former McLaren F1 driver to pass the Polish driver for third place enabling him to set about catching Ubben in third.

With the gap closing and the laps counting down it was going to be too little too late. Mark had saved one final push to pass for the last lap and with a small gap to the car ahead, he used it exiting clearways on the blast up to the finish line. He was just a little bit too far back though as Ubben pipped him to the post for second place with the gap between the two, just four hundredths of a second.

Four and a half seconds ahead of the battle for second, Kris Heidorn had taken his first win of the season with a mature drive from lights to flag. Johnny Herbert claimed fifth place ahead of Martin Brundle who took the chequered flag in seventh. Derek Bell who had been lapped by the leaders crossed the line in 22^nd place.

It was a great drive to take third place from Blundell who seemed to surprise himself when he spoke after the race. “I’m surprised that I’m the best Legend because I drove the car for the first time this weekend.” He said. “Experience is very important at Brands Hatch. That also goes for my overtaking manoeuvre in Paddock Hill Bend. Passing someone on the outside there is always exciting. All in all it was a great weekend. Many thanks to Volkswagen. Well done to the young drivers who drove a very good, clean race.”

Johnny Herbert was pleased with his performance saying, “My start was very good and then I had a nice fight with Mark. But he was simply too quick for me. The Scirocco is very good to drive as soon as you’ve gotten used to the car a bit. Then you can fight some splendid duels, not least thanks to the clever push-to-pass system.”

Another legend pleased with his performance was Martin Brundle, “It was a fantastic race and great fun competing against the young talent and my old colleagues. Obviously, we all wanted to beat each other – once a racer, always a racer. But Mark did the best job this time. He was really very quick here. I fell short a little this time compared with Hockenheim, but I’m pleased nevertheless.”

With three of the four legends in the top seven places, the top ten looked like this:

Photo credit: Chris Gurton Photography

A wet morning had led to slippery track conditions and the drivers having to make difficult tyre choices. With some choosing wets, some slicks and others a combination of both, it was going to be a thrilling and hard fought race in round 9.

It was Didge Dziurzynski on pole with his Mk IV Golf Gti and the Beetle RSI of Chaplin alongside who had opted for slicks on front. This seemed to be the wrong choice at the start as they were both slow getting away. This enabled Taylor, who was running all wets on his 4wd Golf Mk IV, to get a great start and take the lead straight away.

Whilst Taylor was powering away at the front and building a comfortable lead, Chaplin was struggling and dropping down the order. A spin at Sear hadn’t helped matters either. Dziurzynski was managing his cars rubber well and holding on to second place with Peter Felix in third, who had moved up from seventh on the grid.

Chaplin & Felix Battle It Out

A number of drivers were being caught out by the wet conditions with a few spins but the leaders were looking comfortable. Felix in the 20Ten Racing Mk V Golf GTi was really getting into the groove and was starting to reel in Dziurzynski who by lap four had a four and a half second lead over him. This was down to almost nothing by lap 11 and the prospect of a second place battle was on the cards. This battle soon turned out to be a first place battle as Taylor had been handed a drive through penalty for not observing the track limits at Sear.

On lap twelve, Taylor, who had over a five second advantage took his penalty and Felix struck, taking the lead from Dziurzynski who’s tyres were now shot. Taylor emerged from the pit lane in fourth place behind James Walker, now in third with just two laps remaining. These positions were to remain giving the win to Peter Felix. The Volkswagen powered Seat Leon Cupra of Peter Wyhinny had passed both Chaplin and Aaron Mason on the penultimate lap to claim fifth.

Afterwards Didge Dziurzynski said ‘There was no way I could live with Peter’s pace, but it was an awesome race for me, even though I was on the wrong tyres.’

Peter Felix also commented after the race by saying, ‘I saw the penalty being issued so I knew that if I could get past Didge it would be for the lead.’

Peter Felix had a good weekend at Snetterton

Despite the track being dry for the second race in the afternoon, there was no less action. Steve Chaplin had got a good start from pole in the ‘Herbie’ liveried Beetle, but it was Taylor in the 4wd R32 Golf who got a great start again and took the lead by going around the outside at Riches from third on the grid. Behind, a spin from Simon Elliott in the Caddy Racing Van meant avoidance action had to be taken by those behind but there was no major contact.

It was a major incident on lap two which had caused trouble however. Whilst Taylor had opened up a two second lead, others were battling for positions behind. A tangle between Wyhinny’s Seat Leon and Dziurzynski’s Golf had sent them both into the barrier on the run up to Riches. The resulting debris and damage to the barrier led to the race being red flagged.

The grid formed up again for the restart, minus Dziurzynski and Wyhinny, and again it was Taylor who took the lead ahead of Chaplin. Peter Felix had slotted in to third ahead of James Walker, who thanks to contact before the restart was sporting a lot of tape to hold his bonnet in place.

As Taylor was once again storming ahead, the safety car was deployed on lap two thanks to a three car incident involving Michael McInerney’s Jetta, Kieran Griffin’s Scirocco and the Golf of Tim Snaylam. The safety car headed in on lap seven and Paul Taylor powered away unchallenged over the remaining three laps. Felix had passed Chaplin and managed to hold him off over the remaining laps with just half a second between them.

Mason & Walker Collide

Daniel Walker took the flag in fourth whilst brother James suffered a last corner collision as he and Aaron Mason were battling hard for fifth. Both Golf’s collided and spun, but Mason recovered well enough to take the fifth spot leaving James Walker languishing in tenth.

After taking his first win of the season, Paul Taylor told the awaiting media, ‘There were plenty of incidents out there and I was fairly lucky at the restart as I had clear track ahead of me on the grid with Peter (Wyhinny) not there. I made the jump, got a good lead and then when the safety car came out I backed them all up, got away well and finished the job. It’s nice to end the weekend like this, I’m delighted.’

Chaplin leads by 60 points at the top of the standings, picking up six podiums so far this season, including one win. He will be hoping to add to his tally at Snetterton, but may find it difficult, with the track not known as a traditionally Beetle friendly circuit. Since the series began racing there in 2005, a Beetle has never won a race at the track, with Golf’s, Vento’s and Bora’s picking up the wins.

With Golf’s seemingly the car to have for Snetterton, those driving them head into the weekend looking favourites to perform well. This group includes Didge Dziurzynski, who won at the track last year and heads into the weekend on the back of a good performance at Silverstone last time out. Another Golf driver coming to the meeting off the back of a good showing at Silverstone is GTI pilot Peter Felix, who won Round 17 to record his second win of the season and will be hoping to add to this at Snetterton. One of the favourites for the weekend has to be Paul Taylor. The Golf R32 driver has won four times at Snetterton in five seasons and comes into the weekend lying joint second in the championship, despite not winning a race so far this season. Other Golf drivers looking for success include Walker siblings James and Daniel in their KPM Racing GTI’s and 2010 Race winner Aaron Mason and his AWM team mates Tim Snaylam and Martyn Walsh.

The Racing Cup grid is well known for fielding cars of all shapes and sizes and this is once again on show at Snetterton. As well as Chaplin’s Beetle and the fleet of Golf’s, there is the Polo of the competitions youngest competitior, 16 year old Zoe Wenham, the Caddy van of Simon Elliot, Micheal McInerney in his Jetta, Mike Kurton and Kieran Griffin in Sciroccos and the SEAT Leon Cupra of SEAT UK boss Peter Wyhinny.

Due to the event falling on the Bank Holiday, grid numbers are down from the 28 that raced at Silverstone, but despite this, fans can look forward to two exciting races as Chaplin looks maintain his advantage at the top of the standings.

The Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants is additionally supported by Augustus Martin, Ceva Logistics, ECM Vehicle Delivery, Hankook, Milltek Sport, KW Automotive, Superchips and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Provisional championship standings after Round 8
1  Steve Chaplin  Beetle RSI  322
2= Sam Edwards  Golf GTI &
Paul Taylor  Golf R32  262
4  James Walker  Golf GTI  244
5  Peter Felix  Golf GTI  234
6  Didge Dziurzynski Golf GTI  226 etc

It was Walker who was the quickest of the 28 car field in qualifying, claiming pole position by 1.2 seconds ahead of Felix in second. Championship leader Steve Chaplin came third, only 0.093 seconds adrift of Felix, with Didge Dziurzynski joining him on row two. Aaron Mason and Sam Edwards locked out row three in their Golf GTI’s.

As round seven began, Walker led into Copse, ahead of Felix. In third was the quick starting Paul Taylor, his lightning getaway moving him up from ninth on the grid in his Golf R32. As they progressed around the opening lap, Walker was comfortable, ahead of Felix, Taylor, Dziurzynski and Chaplin. Down the order, contact between Scirocco drivers Rob Daniels and Michael Kurton at Brooklands forced Daniels into an early retirement.

As they moved onto lap two, Felix began to pressure Walker for the lead. At Abbey, he saw a gap and made his move, pushing Walker wide, with Taylor benefiting to move into second, Walker slotting back into third. Behind, despite constant pressure from Chaplin, Dziurzynski held fourth, with Edwards and fellow Golf GTI driver James Walker battling hard for sixth.

At the front, Felix began to pull away, with Taylor holding his own for second. Third place was about to change though, with gear selection problems dropping Walker to fifth, with Dziurzynski moving up a spot. Once in fifth, Walker had to work hard to hold on to it, with his son James pressuring him hard. Dziurzynski was under pressure from Chaplin in third though, with the pair beginning to exchange the place between them as the race headed to its conclusion.

At the front though, Felix was finding it easy going, never threatened for the win, crossing the line to win by 2.7 seconds, in the process recording his second win of the season. Second went to Taylor, with Dziurzynski winning the battle to finish third, in the process posting the fastest lap of the race. Chaplin came home fourth, with Walker holding onto fifth ahead Edwards and son James. A great eighth place went to Alex Dziurzynski, the Corrado driver working his way up from 21^st on the grid to make amends for gear troubles ruining his qualifying. Tim Snaylam finished ninth, with Kurton rounding off the top ten after his lap one incident.

Dark clouds moved overheard as Round eight approached, but conditions remained dry for the drivers. Courtesy of the ‘reverse top six’ grid, it was Edwards who began on pole, ahead of Richard Walker, Chaplin, Didge Dziurzynski, Taylor and Felix.

Once again it was Taylor who made the best start as the lights went out, the Golf R32 man shooting into the lead, ahead of Walker and Chaplin, with Edwards dropping to fifth by the end of lap one. Two drivers on the move on lap one were Howard Fuller and Mason, who both moved up nine places on the opening lap after starting a lowly 24^th and 25^th on the grid respectively.

Taylor wasn’t able to hold onto his lead at the front for long, with Walker moving past at Club. Behind, Chaplin was beginning to be put under pressure for third by Dziurzynski, while race one winner Felix was looking to work his way towards the podium, moving past Edwards for fifth.

Taylor and Chaplin began battling hard for second, with Chaplin gaining the upper hand on lap four and moving past, with Dziurzynski following through for third. Behind, the fight for fifth continued to rage, with James Walker joining Felix and Edwards to make it a three way battle, moving past the latter on lap four, before dispatching Felix on lap five to take fifth.

At front though, Walker began to pull well away at the front, crossing the line to record his second win of the season by nearly seven seconds. The fight for second place reached its conclusion on the penultimate lap, with Taylor taking the spot after Chaplin and Dziurzynski managed to slow each other up. Chaplin finished third, after nipping past Dziurzynski at Priory on the last lap. Dziurzynski picked up double points in fourth, after playing his ‘Joker’. Fifth place went to James Walker, with Felix holding off Edwards for sixth. Director of SEAT Cars UK Peter Wyhinny finished eighth in his Leon Cupra, with Alex Dziurzynski ninth. Mason rounded off the top ten after a great drive up the field, with Fuller finishing 12^th after an equally impressive drive.

The Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants is additionally supported by Augustus Martin, Ceva Logistics, ECM Vehicle Delivery, Hankook, Milltek Sport, KW Automotive, Superchips and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

As they head to Snetterton on 29/30 Aug for the next two rounds, another competitive weekend from Chaplin has seen him extend his lead at the top of the standings to 60 points, with only six races remaining.

Provisional championship standings
1 Steve Chaplin 322

2= Sam Edwards & Paul Taylor 262

4 James Walker 244

5 Peter Felix 234

6 Didge Dziurzynski 226

7 Aaron Mason 212

8 Michael Kurton 198

9 Tim Snaylam 184

10 Daniel Walker 170

As a former competitor in the BRSCC’s T-Car series, the switch to tin tops won’t be an alien experience for Howard. “T-Cars was superb training and although I’m having a fantastic time in FPA I’m really interested in racing in saloons again,” says Fuller. “As I’ve never raced at Rockingham before, this was an ideal opportunity. I was blown away when I tested the Golf – I wasn’t expecting it to be so quick and so good. I’m very impressed by the whole set-up.” The seventeen year old, who is a Motorsport student at Brooklands College, will be hoping to make a good impression on his series debut.

Fuller will not be the only debutant on the grid next weekend as the championship continues to attract a host of new drivers, such as Martyn Walsh, who will make his debut in a AWM-prepared Golf GTI. Meanwhile Rockingham instructor and local resident Doug Ross will also be making his seasonal debut in his Polo GTI.

As they head to Rockingham, it’s Steve Chaplin who heads the championship. Despite not winning a race yet, last years championship runner up Chaplin holds an 18-point advantage at the top of the standings, after finishing on the podium in every race so far. He will be hoping to take his ‘Herbie’-liveried Beetle to victory at the Rock.

Golf GTI driver Didge Dziurzynski led the standings after the opening rounds at Oulton Park, courtesy of a win and a second place, but a problematic weekend at Zandvoort has seen him drop to seventh in the standings. The other race winner at Oulton was Peter Felix, his maiden victory in the series, with fellow Golf GTI driver Aaron Mason picking up his first ever VW Cup win at Zandvoort. Richard Walker became the fourth different winner in four races with victory in the second race at Zandvoort in his Mk V Golf GTI.

As well as Chaplin and the four different race winners so far, there are plenty of other potential race winners for Rockingham. These include Golf GTI drivers Sam Edwards and James Walker, second and fifth in the championship standings respectively, as well as Scirocco drivers Kieran Griffin and Mike Kurton, who both sit in the top six of the championship.

One to look out for at Rockingham will be the youngest competitor in the field, 16-year-old Zoe Wenham. She made a promising debut in the series at Zandvoort in her KPM Racing Polo, despite mechanical problems leaving her unable to finish a race, and she will be looking to move up the field at Rockingham, a track she knows well.

With a host of different winners already, the Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants is proving its competitive and unpredictable nature. With such a wide variety of drivers and cars gunning for victory, fans can look forward to two more exciting, action packed races at Rockingham.

Provisional Championship Standings after Round 4
1  Steve Chaplin  Beetle RSI  158
2  Sam Edwards  Golf GTI  140
3  Aaron Mason  Golf GTI  132
4  Kieran Griffin  Scirocco R  130
5  James Walker  Golf GTI  122
6  Mike Kurton  Scirocco R  120

The traditional Easter Weekend British Formula 3 season opener sees 9 Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 International Series cars being powered by the Volkswagen power plant, while the VW Racing Cup has its first races of the season. The VW Cup is featuring a capacity grid for this season, the 10^th season of the popular one make series.

The Fuchs Lubricants backed VW Racing Cup will be run over 14 races at 7 different tracks, including the Championship’s first visit to an European circuit, when they race at Zandvoort, Holland. The Championship is on the support bill of the Formula 3 series for 5 of the 7 race weekends, with the season finale being held at Donington Park in October.

The grid for the 2010 VW Cup features some of the most iconic makes and models from the manufacturers collection, including the new VW Scirocco, a ‘Herbie’ liveried VW Beetle RSi as well as numerous examples of the VW Golf GTi – 2 of which will be piloted by drivers with disabilities.

The director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Simon Elliott, will be making his debut in a crown pleasing Volkswagen Caddy TDi van, and he said about his forthcoming debut: “The Volkswagen Racing Cup is a fantastic championship to be involved with and I cannot wait to get out on track.  During the year we visit some fantastic circuits and with such a wide range of vehicles and drivers making up this year’s grid, the season is sure to provide some fantastic entertainment.”

For the Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 International Series runners, they are faced with a whole load of new rules and regulations for the 2010 Campaign. The biggest one is the change to a triple header of races over a weekend, of varying lengths and grid reversals.

The series will have 3 races per weekend over 10 weekends, taking in some of the finest tracks in Europe and the UK. The European races will visit Magny Cours, Hockenheim, and Spa, as well as 6 of the best tracks in the UK.

Carlin Motorsport, the 2009 Champions have continued their relationship with the German brand, and will run 6 of the Dallara-Volkswagen cars in the Championship, while Hitch Racing from Buckinghamshire will run a brace of the cars. BBC’s Formula One Commentator Martin Brundle’s son, Alex, will pilot the 9^th Volkswagen powered car on the grid, with T-Sport.

Championship dates:

VW Racing Cup:

Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 International Series:

During the first 10 years of the Championship, the series has seen a number of different pieces of machinery – as well as the first ever diesel powered win and the first VW Caddy Van to be raced in the series. Now, ahead of the 2010 season, it has been confirmed that former VW Caddy racer Peter Wyhinny will have a new car – a Seat Leon Cupra.

Wyhinny raced the crowd pleasing VW Caddy while he worked for VW, as the Director for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, to promote the brand and to show that a van can be used in motorsport and be competitive.

Now, Wyhinny is Director of Seat UK and he felt it was time to make a different statement, by entering a Seat into a VW Championship. His 2 litre turbo Cupra is being used as a promotional tool so isn’t eligible to score points, meaning Championship points aren’t taken away from the VW Cup runners. Wyhinny believes the car will be a competitive proposition: “The SEAT Leon Cupra is very similar to the Golf GTI in many important respects; not least that it essentially shares the same engine. I’m looking forward to going out there and flying the flag for an important member of the Volkswagen Group.”

The VW Racing Cup Championship Manager, Melissa Wright, added: “This is the latest in a long line of promotional vehicles which Volkswagen Racing UK has built and introduced to the championship. The first was the Golf TDI in 2002, which distinguished itself by becoming the first-ever diesel race winner in Britain, and it was followed by the four-wheel-drive Golf R32, the Caddy, the first of the Mk V Golf GTIs and most recently the Scirocco. We’re sure that the SEAT Leon Cupra will prove a popular addition to the field.”

Seat UK plans to use the Cupra as the main centrepiece for all of the company’s promotional activities at the circuits, such as Club Seat, which offers members (who don’t have to be Seat owners) the chance to enter competitions and attend car related events.

The Fuchs Lubricants backed VW Racing Cup’s 2010 season starts at Oulton Park alongside the British F3/British GT on the 3^rd and 5^th April.

Oulton Park has a maximum capacity of 34 cars on the grid, and within the confirmed entries are a mixture of series regular, series debutants and racing novices. Notable entries include the 2009 Championship runner up, Steve Chaplin in his Beetle, as well as the third placed runner, Aaron Mason in his Golf GTi.

The 2006 Champion, Paul Taylor returns in his Golf R32, and from the midpoint of the season, father Tony will join the field in his recently acquired Gold VR6.

The Taylors aren’t the only father and son team on the grid – Barrie Culley in his Vento VR6 will be supporting his son Martyn in his Beetle RSi.

2008 and 2009 race winners James Walker, Mike Kurton and Darren Blumson are returning for another year in the Championship, while the driver with the most wins in the 2009, Didge Dziurzynski is returning for the 2010 season in his Golf GTi, with older brother Alex returning as well in his Corrado.

There are a number of Golf GTi’s entered by series front runners Anna Walewska, under the Alan Blencowe Racing banner, as well as the Golf’s of Tim Snaylam and Peter Felix. The crowd pleasing Caddy TDi will also be back, being piloted by Simon Elliott, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director.

“We can start a maximum of 34 cars at Oulton Park,” says championship manager Melissa Wright, “and we have already reached the magic 30. We couldn’t be more delighted by this affirmation of the strength and popularity of the Volkswagen Racing Cup at a time when other series are struggling to maintain numbers.

“It’s pleasing also that although many old friends are returning to the championship there are quite a number of newcomers also, some of them completely new to motorsport.”

Wright then added: “It’s a superb field, with Golf’s of all shapes and ages, a Jetta, two Sciroccos, several Beetles, a couple of Polo’s, the Caddy and even a venerable Vento. In fact, the championship’s 10th anniversary season is set to be its best yet.”

The provisional 2010 VW Cup with Fuchs Lubricants entry list:

2  Darren Blumson  Adrenalin Motorsport  Polo GTI
3  Paul Taylor  Adrenalin Motorsport  Golf R32
4  Tony Taylor  Adrenalin Motorsport  Golf VR6
5  Doug Ross  Milestones Motorsport  Polo GTI
7  Tim Snaylam  Comline/AWM  Golf GTI
8  Aaron Mason  Comline/AWM  Golf GTI
9  Peter Wyhinny  Volkswagen Racing
10  Martyn Culley  Adrenalin Motorsport  Beetle RSI
11  Barrie Culley  Adrenalin Motorsport  Vento VR6
12  Tony Harberman  TGR Racing  Beetle RSI
14  Peter Felix  20Ten Racing  Golf GTI
17  Michael McInerney  RacingLine  Jetta Sport
20  Michael Kurton  SlideSports  Scirocco R
21  Daniel Walker  KPM  Golf GTI
24  Phil Morris  RacingLine/Team Fuchs Titan Race  Golf GTI
27  Andrew Smith  Smithsport  Beetle TDI
32  Kieran Griffin  SlideSports  Scirocco R
33  Simon Elliott  Volkswagen Racing  Caddy TDI
41  Didge Dziurzynski  West End Precision  Golf GTI
42  Alex Dziurzynski  West End Precision  Corrado
44  Robin Riley  KPM  Beetle RSI
49  Richard Styrin  RacingLine  Golf GTI
51  Simon Andrews  RacingLine  Golf GTI
53  Steve Chaplin  Complete Utilities  Beetle RSI
66  Richard Kingsnorth  Adrenalin Motorsport  Golf R32
69  James Walker  KPM  Golf GTI
77  Steve Walker  RacingLine  Golf GTI
99  Mark Clynes  SlideSports  Golf GTI
Anna Walewska  Alan Blencowe Racing  Golf GTI
James Cortes  Alan Blencowe Racing  Golf GTI
Cameron Thompson  Beetle RSI

The 23 year old Walewska, who is based in Surrey, will be racing a VW Gold GTi for the Alan Blencowe Racing team in 2010, took part in the event organised by the MSA, the governing body for UK Motorsport. The event was part of the International Women’s Day.

Motorsport is just one of a very few opportunities where men and ladies are on a level footing, yet only 8% of the registered racing licence holders are actually ladies. This statistic is one which annoys the ambitious Walewska, as she explains “There are not nearly as many women involved as there should be. I think that’s just down to poor promotion. There’s a need to make access to motorsport a lot easier than it is.”

“A lot of women come to me at race circuits and ask ‘How do I get into it? How do I start? Can I race against the guys?’ It’s a shame they even have to ask those questions; the answers should be easy to find.”

“The Silverstone event was a good get-together, a chance for women in motorsport to meet and discuss what we are doing and the hurdles that we face; it was very enjoyable and I was glad to attend.”

The views of Walewska are also reflected by Melissa Wright, who is a director for Racing Line, the Championship Promoter, and the Championship Manager of the Fuchs Lubricants backed Volkswagen Racing Cup. Wright is one of a few women involved in motorsport at a senior level.

“Motorsport is the perfect environment for women to compete alongside men,” says Melissa. “The Volkswagen Racing Cup welcomes female competitors and we are delighted that it attracts drivers of Anna’s calibre. The championship has no need of a ‘ladies cup’, because the women are in any case up there and doing well against the men.”

2010 will see Walewska building on her 2009 performances as she looks to use the VW Cup as a platform for a British Touring Car Championship Drive by 2012.

The opening rounds of the 2010 Volkswagen Racing Cup with Fuchs Lubricants takes place at Oulton Park on the 3^rd and 5^th April, Easter weekend.

Photo credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

The Fuchs Lubricants backed series has broken new ground for 2010 as the grid will features two race drivers with disabilities.

Phil Morris and Simon Andrews will both pilot specially adapted VW Golf GTi’s, these adaptations see both cars fitted with DSG semi-automatic gearboxes and steering wheel-mounted gear change paddles.

50 year old Morris, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, has also had specially adapted foot pedals, while 31 year old Andrews, who has been wheelchair bound for 11 years after his pedal cycle was  in a collision with a truck, has a hand operated throttle and brake.

Both drivers have had to prove to the governing body of UK Motorsport, the MSA, that they have the fitness to compete, and after a tortuous process for both the guys but both have now passed their ARDS test and can make their racing debuts, something which both drivers are looking forward to.

For Morris, he has had the Golf GTi for three years, and has experience of being on circuits after doing a number of track days in the car. Morris commented on his racing debut, saying: “I’ve had great fun with it, but I wanted to take it further, so I started to check things out with the MSA, I had to prove that in the event of an accident that I could quickly evacuate the car. I did that and they cleared me to take the ARDS test; I passed and now I’m ready to race at Oulton Park on 5 April for the first time.

“I’m very much a complete yellow-badge/black-cross novice and at 50 I’m one of the oldest-ever novices. I’m racing for fun.”

Morris is the Purchasing Manager for Fuchs UK, The Championships title sponsor and his GTi will feature the companies’ colours.

For the Hampshire based property developer Andrews, the battle to get on to the VW Cup grid has been a 3 year battle, and one that he is glad to have won. Andrews explains why it’s been such a long battle: “I’ve had to be very persistent; I’ve had to go before the MSA’s medical panel a number of times, and had to prove I can escape a car in less than 10 seconds. Last year they permitted me to go sprinting in my Golf, and that all went well, so here I am, the first paraplegic to race in the VW Cup.

“I’m planning to do most of the routine maintenance myself, and to get the car to the circuits, and then Racing Line will help me at the track. I’m really looking forward to it, and to racing against Phil and the other drivers.”

Melissa Wright, who works for Racing Line, the company that has helped develop the cars for Morris and Andrews, has paid tribute to the 2 guys on their efforts to become racers: “Motorsport is difficult enough to get into, but Simon and Phil have shown true grit to overcome their problems and get on to the grid. The Golf GTI with DSG gearbox is an ideal track machine for a driver with a disability, and I’m sure that both of them are going to have a great time in the championship.

“We have loved developing these cars with the guys and making sure that the specifications were just perfect for their requirements. We have been as apprehensive as them over the last few months while they went through the various procedures required for them to get their licences.

“Both Phil and Simon are seasoned track day participants so I am confident that they will be right in the thick of it in a championship which is perfect for novices of all abilities.”

Both Phil and Simon will make their VW Cup debuts at Oulton Park over the 3^rd to 5^th April.

44 year old Paul will be racing the same 4 Wheel Drive VW Golf R32 which he took the title in back in 2006, while his 64 year old father, Tony, will enter a Golf VR6.

Paul had this to say about racing his father this season: “Dad has been racing for years and he got me into it as a boy in karts. We’ve raced together in all sorts of things over the years, but never in the VWs. He always says that he’s not going to win anything but that as long as he is not at the back and is enjoying himself, then he’s happy.”

The Taylors won’t be the only father and son team on the grid, as within the same team, Adrenalin Motorsport, will be the father and son team of Martyn and Barrie Culley. Alongside them will be Darren Blumson in a VW Polo.

Paul is hoping that a weight break given to the 4WD Golf R32 will help to improve its reliability, and he commented: “The problem last year was that it was running so heavy parts kept breaking under the strain. The reduced weight should help. It still won’t be the fastest car out there but it will suit some tracks, and I’ll be driving it 101 per cent, as I normally do.”

The commitment showed by Taylor Jnr brought him a win on his Championship debut in 2005, before taking the overall crown in 2006, taking 5 race victories on the way to the title, and he finished 3^rd in 2008. In total, Paul has taken 14 race victories; his closest rival is retiring double Champion, Joe Fulbrook.

Taylor Jnr will be on the grid at Oulton Park for the opening rounds of the season over the Easter Weekend, 3^rd to 5^th April, while Taylor Snr will join the series at Zandvoort, rounds 3 and 4 of the Championship, in the 2.9l Golf VR6, raced by Tony Harberman.

Anna commented “I’m hoping that this year will be very successful. It’s the same car and with Blencowe running it, with his wealth of knowledge and experience, I really hope that it’s going to be successful. My long-term plan is to do well in VW Cup, maybe tackle the Renault Clio series next year and then BTCC the year after.”

Anna made her debut in the series in 2009 and as the season progressed, the results improved, and at the season finale, top six finishes were achieved. “It was very much a learning year for me. In terms of sprint racing and front-wheel-drive, it took me a while to get my head into gear; towards the end of the year it wasn’t so much of a problem.”

Anna started off her career in Karts at the age of 10 before gaining her racing licence at the age of 14, and thus becoming the youngest ever female holder of a UK racing licence when she started off in the T-Cars Championship. Anna is backed by Spacars.co.uk and Nitron and races in support for Scope, the Cerebral Palsy charity.

Alan Blencowe has confirmed that his team will run two or three cars in the Championship this year, and that Anna is driver signing number one. Alan said “Anna is our first signed driver, and we hope to sign at least one other. Team-mates push each other on a bit and it’s the best way to make progress in a championship. Anna got on well in 2009 and hopefully we can build on her experience and progress a bit and have a good, successful season.”

The 2.0-litre Caddy TDI, tuned by RacingLine to produce 260 PS and more than 500 Nm of torque will be driven by Elliot who whetted his racing appetite last year in a couple of outings in a Golf GTI and will sport the bright orange livery of the familiar breakdown recovery vehicles.

Talking of his 2010 challenge he said: “I started racing last year and realised this was something I really wanted to do. My wife has now given me permission to do the full season, and I’ve managed not only to persuade my predecessor, Peter Wyhinny, to let me take over driving the van, but more importantly we have new sponsors for this high profile Caddy van.”

Championship director Melissa Wright added: “The Caddy is a spectator favourite and, as Peter Wyhinny proved, a seriously competitive machine on its day. It will be great to see it racing in RAC livery and with Simon at the wheel.”

The championship, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, kicks off at Oulton Park at Easter (3-5 Apr) and features double-header races at Snetterton, Rockingham, Donington Park and the Grand Prix circuits at Silverstone and Brands Hatch, as well as its first overseas event, at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

Provisional 2010 calendar
03-05 Apr Oulton Park
21/22 May Zandvoort, Netherlands
17/18 Jul Rockingham
14/15 Aug Silverstone GP
29/30 Aug Snetterton (revised date)
25/26 Sep Brands Hatch GP
16/17 Oct Donington Park