Formula 3 MastersGiovinazzi claims dominant victory at the renowned Masters in Zandvoort
Antonio Giovinazzi celebrated a commanding win at the 25th Formula 3 Masters in Zandvoort, Netherlands. The Italian from the Jagonya Ayam with Carlin team first won the twelve-lap qualifying race on Saturday by 8.803 seconds in his Dallara F315, finishing ahead of Markus Pommer (D) of the Motopark team. His team-mate Sergio Sette Camara (BR), who was also “powered by Volkswagen”, was third. Pole-sitter Giovinazzi then claimed a dominant victory in the 25-lap anniversary race. George Russell (GB) of the Carlin team finished runner-up, 8.427 seconds behind the winner. Camara held on to his third place. All of the top nine drivers were driven by a powerful Volkswagen engine. The Formula 3 Masters in Zandvoort is one of the highlights of the season, but does not form part of the official FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
FIA World Rallycross ChampionshipKristoffersson runner-up in the Polo WRX – Foust is fifth
Johan Kristoffersson presented Volkswagen with a stunning second place at the tenth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Barcelona (E). The Swedish driver from Volkswagen Team Sweden, at the wheel of his Polo WRX, was beaten only by World Championship leader Petter Solberg (N, Citroën). “It feels awesome to be a part of the winner’s press conference again. I would like to thank my team: they did a fantastic job with the car, which worked magnificently and just keeps getting faster,” commented Kristoffersson. The flying Swede remains third in the overall standings with 182 points. Tanner Foust (USA) also put on a magnificent display in front of the 25,000 fans at the Formula One circuit in Barcelona. The TV star and two-time Formula Drift champion finished fifth in the Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar fielded by the Marklund Motorsport team. Fellow Marklund driver Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen (FIN) went out in the semi-final, as did Kristoffersson’s team-mate Tord Linnerud (N). The next round will take place in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul from 2 to 4 October.
FIA European Rallycross ChampionshipVolkswagen driver Veiby wins in Barcelona – Rustad remains championship leader
Ole-Christian Veiby of Volkswagen Team Sweden won the Barcelona (E) round of the FIA European Rally Championship in the Polo WRX. The 19-year-old benefitted from a penalty handed to Tommy Rustad (N), who had crossed the finish line first in the final. The jury subsequently relegated him to sixth place. The Norwegian driver from the Marklund Motorsport team had won the previous two races in the continental championship at the wheel of the Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar. Despite his penalty, Rustad was still able to defend his lead in the European Rallycross Championship. He tops the overall standings with 105 points, followed by France’s Jérôme Grosset-Janin (99/Peugeot). Veiby is fourth (67).
Touringcar Racer International SeriesTwo top-ten finishes for Mikhail Grachev
Mikhail Grachev twice finished seventh in the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) as the new Volkswagen Golf for the racetrack made its second outing. The Russian was on course for a place on the podium for long stretches of Sunday’s second race, which formed part of the support programme for the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, but dropped back towards the end of the race. Victory went to Spain’s Jordi Gené (Seat). In Saturday’s opening race, Grachev missed out on a better result after an aggressive attack from a rival car. Sweden’s Tomas Engström finished twelfth and ninth in the second Golf. He had started race two from pole position.
Volkswagen Polo Cup RussiaRostilov/Ignatov triumph in Pskov
Denis Rostilov and Alexey Ignatov won the seventh rally of this year’s Volkswagen Polo Cup Russia, which took place around the picturesque city of Pskov (RUS). After six special stages and 80.28 kilometres on gravel, the Russian duo finished ahead of their compatriots Yuriy Arshansky/Mikhail Soskin. Andrey Vavilin/Denis Pimanov (RUS/RUS), the winners of the last round of the Volkswagen Polo Cup in St. Petersburg (RUS), had to settle for fourth in their Polo.
South African Rally ChampionshipTwo podiums and victory in the Manufacturers’ Championship for Volkswagen Sasolracing
With two podiums and victory in the Manufacturers’ Championship, Volkswagen Sasolracing was the dominant team at the sixth round of the South African Rally Championship. Gugulethu Zulu/Hilton Auffrey (ZA/ZA) claimed their best result so far in the Volkswagen Polo on the roads around Cape Town (ZA). Third place went to their South African team-mates Hergen Fekken/Pierre Arries, who made it onto the podium for the second event in succession. Henk Lategan/Barry White (ZA/ZA) came home fourth in another Polo to complete an outstanding result for Volkswagen. They dominated the second day of the rally with three stage wins, but missed out on a better result due to damage sustained to their car on the 13th and final special stage. “A fantastic performance from the Volkswagen team,” said Mike Rowe, head of Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa. The final round of the season in the South African Rally Championship will take place in Polokwane (ZA) on 16 and 17 October.
Next up:
25/09–27/09/2015FIA Formula 3 European Championship, Nürburgring (D)
26/09/2015Volkswagen Fun Cup UK, Anglesey Coastal (GB)
