Volkswagen Motorsport Weekend Rally roundup

Global RallycrossTwo second places for Scott Speed in Detroit

Scott Speed (USA) enjoyed a strong race weekend in the Volkswagen Beetle GRC. Speed finished runner-up in both races at the double-header in Detroit, in the US state of Michigan. The two podium finishes were enough to secure fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship. “To stand on the podium twice is very important to us, in terms of championship points,” said Speed. “We will now look ahead to the next round in Washington, D.C., where we will hopefully be in contention to win.” Only Ken Block (USA) crossed the finish line ahead of Speed in race one. In the second race, Patrick Sandell (S) just had his nose in front. Meanwhile, Speed’s team-mate Tanner Foust (USA) endured a disappointing race weekend. Foust was unable to complete race one, after breaking a suspension in a collision with an opponent. He was unfortunate again in race two, when he was hit by a rival and unable to continue. “The car has been faster in every race. That is the good news. Obviously we did not get the result we were hoping for. I will have to get back to challenging for the win in the coming races, in order to make up for the points we lost this weekend.” Foust is currently ninth in the Driver Championship. In the Manufacturer Championship, Volkswagen is second with 20 points, just behind Ford (24). Round seven of the Global Rallycross season will take place in Washington, D.C. on 15th August.

FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)Successful tests for Volkswagen ahead of the Rally Finland

Volkswagen has completed five days of testing around Jämsä, Finland. With the Rally Finland just around the corner (30th July – 2nd August), all three driver/co-driver pairings – Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) – have been preparing for “Formula One in the Forest” on three different sections of route. The test focussed on set-up work for the unique rally in central Finland. The routes around Jyväskylä are renowned for their fast, flowing sections and many blind crests with big jumps. The average speed is usually above the 120 km/h mark. After the Rally Poland, the Rally Finland now forms part two of the “speed weeks” in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The one-two achieved by Ogier and Mikkelsen three weeks ago means Volkswagen is undefeated at the two fastest rallies on the WRC calendar.

Next up:

30/07–02/08/2015 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Rally Finland (FIN)


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