Volkwagen at The Race Of Champions

Following its debut last year, the Scirocco R-Cup racer returns to the Race of Champions to be driven by some of the world’s leading drivers this weekend, 3-4 December.  Among them will be double Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, who will be keen to get revenge for last year’s defeat to US motocross star Travis Pastrana in the 275 PS biogas-powered coupé.

The Scirocco R-Cup racers will line-up on the specially constructed track inside the Düsseldorf Football Arena, with some of the world’s greatest racing drivers taking part.  Alongside Vettel and Pastrana will be the new Volkswagen rally factory driver Sébastien Ogier, Formula One world champions Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button, eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx,and DTM champions Timo Scheider, Martin Tomczyk and Mattias Ekström, among others.

‘We’re proud that the organisers of the Race of Champions have again selected the Racing Scirocco as a car to be fielded at the event. This shows the prestige which the Scirocco R-Cup enjoys worldwide as a one-make cup,’ said Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Kris Nissen.

In 2010, it was a Scirocco of all cars in which Formula One world champion Vettel had to accept one of his few defeats, so he will want to make amends this year. In a direct duel, motocross star Travis Pastrana, not least thanks to clever use of the push-to-pass button that allowed each driver to activate an additional 50 PS for four seconds four times during the race, had achieved a surprise victory against Vettel.  ‘The push-to-pass button is a brilliant idea. By using it I was able to beat Sebastian as late as on the finish straight,’ said Pastrana last year, as he expressed his enthusiasm about the power boost at his fingertips.

Thanks to the use of bio natural gas, the 2.0-litre engine of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup reduces the overall carbon footprint, consisting of the fielding at the race and logistics, by 80 per cent – compared with conventional petrol fuels.  At the Race of Champions, the Scirocco R-Cup is the only vehicle featuring an alternative drive concept.

The Scirocco R-Cup enters its third season in 2012, being held as part of the DTM programme. Spectacular races are guaranteed by the Pro, Junior and Legends Cup, and the innovative push-to-pass system.


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