Baumschlager Rallye & Racing have ordered two brand new Volkswagen Polo R5’s to take part in the 2019 FIA European Rally Championship.
BRR, managed by 14 time Austrian Rally champion Raimund Baumschlager, had been running Skoda Fabia R5’s in the championship and in 2018 ran former GT driver Albert Von Thurn und Taxis on selected ERC events, but they will switch to Polo power for 2019.
Baumschlager commented on the deal: “Two Polo GTI R5 are already earmarked for the ERC. We have at least a handful of potential interested parties for the third car.”
“We have had a lot of enquiries from customers who enjoy a close association with Volkswagen and are very pleased that this manufacturer is now also offering a rally car.”

aimund Baumschlager and Juliane Grundl.
Photo Credit: Volkswagen Motorsport.
ERC co-ordinator Jean-Baptiste Ley added: “This really is very exciting news. We’ve followed closely the work Volkswagen Motorsport has put into developing its first R5 challenger and we’re delighted at least two cars are set to compete in the ERC in 2019.”
“It’s also great that a highly capable and professional organisation like Baumschlager Rallye & Racing is continuing its ERC participation with this all-new car.”
The team plan to have the first of its cars competing on the Prague Rallysprint in the Czech Republic on December 1 before entering the 2019 ERC championship next year, with the first round, Azores Airlines Rallye, set to take place between March 21-23.