Scirocco R-Cup returns to Brands Hatch

WITH LEGENDARY LINE-UP

Prominent names from the world of motorsport will again be a valuable addition to the field as the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup visits the UK.  At the upcoming DTM weekend (2-4 September) at Brands Hatch, the grid of the world’s most eco-conscious one-make cup will feature three former Formula 1 drivers – Mark Blundell, Johnny Herbert, and Tiff Needell – and the three-time British Rally Champion Mark Higgins in the Legends classification.With Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell on the grid, two of the most well-known British Formula 1 racers of the 1990s are once again contesting the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup. In 2010, both caused a sensation at Brands Hatch as Legends entrants with Blundell finishing third overall and taking victory in the Legends classification, while Herbert crossed the line in fifth. In June, both contested the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring for Volkswagen at the wheel of a Golf24.Herbert won three Grand Prix events throughout his career and in 1995, as Michael Schumacher's team-mate, took fourth place in the World Championship. Blundell contested the top-class racing series from 1991 to 1995 at a total of 61 rounds.Tiff Needell has Formula 1 experience as well with the 59-year-old racer driving his first and only Grand Prix event in Belgium in 1980 in an Ensign-Cosworth. Afterwards he made a name for himself as a sports car and touring car driver. His track record includes 14 runs at the Le Mans 24 Hours. In parallel to his racing commitments he started his TV career, hosting Top Gear from 1987 on. Needell has since become one of the best-known faces on British television co-hosting Fifth Gear since 2002. The fourth Legend at Brands Hatch will be 40-year old Welsh racer Mark Higgins who won the British Rally Championship in 1997, 2005 and 2006. In 2008 he took part in the James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’ as a stuntman, pursuing Daniel Craig in the spectacular pursuit at Lake Garda. The father and brother of Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton are prominent names competing at the seventh round of Volkswagen's innovative one-make cup as guest entrants. His father, Anthony Hamilton, is the manager of last year's DTM champion and current Force India Formula 1 driver Paul Di Resta while his brother Nicolas started his racing career in a British one-make cup in 2011. For the only regular British driver in the Scirocco R-Cup, Daniel Lloyd, who currently lies second in the championship standings, the round at Brands Hatch marks the highlight of the season. The 19-year-old knows the circuit well as he has previously competed there in various British racing series. In 2008 he finished a round of the Ginetta Junior Championship at the circuit in the county of Kent in second.All races of the 2011 Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup can also be watched by live streaming on the iPhone app or on the internet. Live broadcasts of the racing action are available at volkswagen-motorsport.com/livestream


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