APR Volkswagen Racing Cup race winner Jim Cartwright will launch a full-time campaign for the new season with a self-prepared Golf to challenge for the 2013 championship.
The former Ferrari sports car racer was mightily impressive last season and caused a stir by winning on his debut in the championship, and will now return to the series for a serious championship challenge.
The 25-year-old missed four rounds last year, but scored a brilliant victory on his maiden appearance at Brands Hatch last May in what was also his first outing in a front-wheel-drive car. Cartwright then went on to score a further three podium finishes, eventually finishing sixth in the final standings.
Cartwright’s efforts will be very much Independent as he will take on the duties of preparing and running his Golf machinery through the year with the help of an experienced mechanic, but has his sights set on acquiring bigger and quicker machinery should the opportunity present itself.
“I had never even tested the car before Brands Hatch, so I was as surprised as everyone,” said Cartwright. “It was also my first time racing on slick tyres, so it was a massive boost to win. Unfortunately my season did not really go too well from then on because we suffered a recurring gearbox niggle.”
“Ideally I would like to buy a Scirocco, but for the moment I will have to make do with the Golf and see what we can do with that. The competition this season looks awesome and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
