The crew of the SEAT Leon Supercopa since the beginning of the weekend showed that the goal is the highest ranks, which was confirmed during qualifying, when the good times Robertas Kupcikas and Adam Gładysz gave the Polish team a second starting position in the classroom. The fight in the race, however, was not to be easy. At the start of Hankook 24H Dubai appeared in as many as 100 cars, and so long and debilitating rivalry is crucial to maintain the maximum concentration.

On Friday, punctually at. 14:00 local time, the competition started. The RTG to Gładysz Racing responsibility by opening race fell on the shoulders of Robertas Kupcikas that after the first few laps remained in third place in the classroom. After two hours SEAT Leon SuperOP took Adam Gładysz and during their shift was able to break through to the second place. The next in the queue behind the wheel was Marcin Jaros, who managed to take the lead in the class!

During the following laps the team shuffled from rivals on the first and second place depending on the current sequence of visits to the pits. Unfortunately, after about seven hours, when the car sat Jerzy Dudek, there has been a failure of the transmission. Although the SEAT Leon Supercopa has been designed for the express removal of possible defects, and the mechanics of Volkswagen Racing Poland did a fantastic, it was a huge loss of time, so the chances of fighting for victory dropped to virtually zero.

It is, however, little has changed for motorists team who, after problems were even more determined. During any subsequent changes Robertas Kupcikas, Adam Gładysz, Marcin Jaros, Jerzy Dudek and Simon Larsson gave their all so that they could make up at least part of the losses. That made it on Saturday at 14:00 – after 24 hours of murderous rivalry – yellow-blue SEAT León Supercopa entered the finish line in third place in the class A3 giving your team a podium in the Hankook 24H Dubai!

ADAM GŁADYSZ – Hankook 24h Race of Dubai is behind us. We finished it in third place, with which we are very pleased, but of course our goal was to win in the classroom. We had some problems that prevented this, but our mechanics did a great job removing the fault, and besides, the SEAT Leon Supercopa turned out to be a very good car. I would like to thank the whole team, partners, sponsors and my family, the other drivers, which changed the wheel. It was a huge challenge that we managed well myself. We are going home happy, trophy and I hope to meet you here next year!

MARCIN JAROS: - We’re at the finish of this murderous race. For sure it was not easy, but everyone gave their all. Because of the problems we ran the chance of victory, however, and so we managed to get third place. It’s a great way to start the season and we are incredibly happy! I would like to thank everyone who cheered me during the race, the mechanics working hard on our joint success – did a great, as well as drivers for their excellent drive through the whole 24 hours.

Robertas Kupcikas: - The race was very difficult. We had some problems as riding non-stop for 24 hours a demanding car, but in the end the team did well with it all. We reached the finish line in third place, with which we are very satisfied. We hope that the next of our team will be even better!

Jerzy Dudek: - We have just Hankook 24H of Dubai, during which a lot was happening, but we were able to realize our objective was to drive to the finish line. But it’s important to make it to the end will not give up. So we did and we were able to get back to third position. It was my debut in long distance races, as well as a new car that is for me the SEAT Leon Supercopa and I think it came out pretty well. We can say that it is only in third place, but here everything depends not only on the speed, so the whole team is very happy, because in these conditions it is up to third place !!

SIMON LARSSON: - Even though a gearbox failure we managed to finish on a very good third. It was my first 24-hour race and I’m happy with it. My ride during the change was good, my team mates did a great job, so we can enjoy the podium in the class A3.

The post Podium in Dubai appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

Qualifying for tomorrow’s 24-hour marathon at the Dubai Autodrome track started exactly at 13:15 Polish time. While training and free trips as the whole team found that for the best grid positions will compete for the most experienced of the five players: Adam Gładysz and Robertas Kupcikas.

Be the first behind the wheel of a 330 horsepower SEAT Leon Supercopa sat down multiple racing champion Polish – Adam Gładysz. The whole session was scheduled on fairly short 30 minutes because Gładysz left the pit lane just after ignition of the green lights. After 15 minutes, the team captain returned to the pits to refuel the car and exchange of Robertas Kupcikas.

At this stage of the competition the Polish team held a high second place in the classroom A3T and lost to the German team rider BMW E46 M3 just over 0.2 seconds.

Refuel and change drivers ran very smoothly and after less than a minute Robertas Kupcikas was on the track warming up new tires. Volkswagen Golf Cup champion from 2014 years defeated two fast wheels, which managed to improve X-ray unit time to Gładysz Racing by 0.1 seconds. This was not enough to hop on a virtual pole, so Kupcikas opted for another exit into the pits just before the posting of the flag in white-checkered. 4 minutes before the end of Guillaume Roman of Peugeot established a very good 0.4 seconds slower time than the Polish team, which is why Kupcikas decided to test one more lap, where he received the best time of 2: 15.164

Tomorrow’s task that stands before representatives of the class A3 will certainly not be an easy one. In this year’s edition of the 24H Dubai race Hankook will be attended by a record number of entrants. At the start of state for 100 cars. Under these conditions, focus and concentration will be needed by the whole distance competition. Tomorrow’s struggles start Robertas Kupcikas that Adam Gładysz change. Subsequently, the SEAT Leon Supercopa will be hosted by Marcin Jaros, Jerzy Dudek and Simon Larsson.

Polish team competing in Dubai can be traced through the official website http://www.24hseries.com/24h-dubai.

ADAM GŁADYSZ - just completed a qualification for today’s 24-hour race in Dubai. We took a very high second place with minimal loss for the first team, which went very fast BMW E46 M3. In this session, our team represented the me together with Robertas. We managed to obtain very similar times with a difference at the level of 0.150 seconds. At the end of the day, there were two last hours of night training, in which more of us rode Marcin Jaros, Jerzy Dudek and Simon Larsson. In general, today the whole team did a great job. Tomorrow we start with a short warm-up, but about hours. 11.00 Polish time we start the 24-hour race, which I hope, will result in success for us.

Robertas Kupcikas: - It was a good session for us, have done a decent job. Thanks to the mechanics of the Volkswagen Racing Poland our the SEAT Leon Supercopa was perfect and established a second time in our class, with a small loss to the fastest. However, this was not important, because the race is very long. The main objective is to win the race tomorrow and we will try to do everything in our power to make it happen.

The post Just behind pole position appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

The 310 brake horsepower cars were produced in Wolfsburg with maintenance by Volkswagen Racing Polska, the organizer of the Volkswagen Golf Cup, in tight cooperation with Volkswagen Motorsport.

After season 2015 of VW Golf Cup the cars were reviewed, parts were changed for new. The cars are in absolutely perfect condition- ready to race!

Each car has own Sport Car Technical Passport, confirmed by Polish ASN affiliated in FIA.

Specification:

• engine: four cylinder, turbocharged, multipoint injection, four valves per cylinder, stiff engine and gearbox support
• capacity: 1984 ccm
• power: 310 bhp
• design – racing aero kit: wide body, fenders, bumpers, rear wing
• telemetry: AIM – Memotec data logging system – full car data analysis, GPS sensors
• exhaust system: modified, ɸ75 mm
• drive: front wheel drive
• gearbox: DSG with Drexler Limited Slip Differential, modified software,  change of gears by  paddle steering wheel

• front suspension: modified racing McPherson, uniballs,
• rear suspension: multi-link, uniballs
• shock absorber front and rear: Bilstein- racing,
• springs: springs/regulated anti-roll-bars – Eibach- racing
• steering: modified steering rods
• brake system: special racing ABS system
• brakes: AP Racing
• front: 6-pistons calipers AP Racing , ventilated disks with floating bell, ɸ 362 mm
• rear: OEM 1-piston, disc ɸ 272 mm,
• rims: ATS DTC 8,5×18”
• tyres: Hankook 240/640 x18 (slick or wet)

INTERIOR:

• competition steering wheel VW,
• OMP racing seat, 6-point safety belts,
• OMP extinguishing system,
• roll cage (CRO-MO) Wiechers Sport – homologation FIA, DMSB.

The price per car  is 29 900 euro net, it’s approx. 21 000£ net (included extra 8 wheel rims). In case of more cars’ purchase, the price can be negotiated.

If you are interested, please contact us:

Volkswagen Racing Polska Sp. zo.o.

Krakowska 15 street, 33-113 Zgłobice

e-mail: info@volkswagenracing.pl

tel.: +48 14 674 12 04 at time: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm

mobile: + 48 602 343 551

You can see the cars in Headquarter of our company, address above.

The post Racing Golfs on sale appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

The prestigious 24-hour race in Dubai has always brought a lot of interest to many international teams, as apart from the wheel-to-wheel rivalry it is a perfect way to conduct some pre-season testing. In the 2015 season fans and supporters could admire a 96 crew grid – which, this time will be even bigger, as on the start of the race we will see precisely 100 cars representing different classes!

There will be also some slight changes in the Volkswagen Racing Polska team, which this year will battle behind the wheel of Seat Leon Supercopa in the A3 class. The car, well-known from the European cups, will be driven by the team of 5 drivers – three of them already has experience from the Dubai circuit. Adam Gładysz, Robertas Kupcikas and Marcin Jaros will be joined by Jerzy Dudek and Simon Larsson – drivers known from the Volkswagen Golf Cup.

The Polish team, which was granted with the starting number #21 has already practiced hard on many different European circuits. As soon as on Thursday the car together with all necessary staff will be transported to the United Arab Emirates.

The post Next start in Dubai appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

Even before the start it was clear that it won’t be easy for Dylan Pereira to attack the leader of the points classification. To title fell into the hands of Luxembourg, Kruger would have to finish in position in the second ten.

When the lights went out on the main straight Pereira rushed to fight and at each of 14 laps gave it his all. Purple and dark blue Golf, prepared by Volkswagen Racing Polska, crossed finish line with a gap of more than six seconds over the second driver. Unfortunately for Pereira, it turned out to be Jeffrey Kruger, who made no mistake from the first race and without problems remained in the second position. The finish on these positions meant that a driver from South Africa holds the title with 26 points advantage over his nearest rivals.

The top three in the race completed Simo Muhonen, before Marcin Jaros and Andre Giese, who until the very end fought for fourth place and were separated at the finish line by less than a second! Sixth was Marcus Fluch, whom this place was enough to keep the third position in the general classification. The Swede had the easier task, since his main rival, Michał Gadomski did not finish the race due to a collision with Piotr Parys. Seventh place accounted for the only woman in the competition, Gosia Rdest, which has finished in front of Sebastian Arriola, Adam Rzepecki and Bartosz Palusko.

For this year it’s the end of the excitement of the Volkswagen Golf Cup. However, we already know, that the third season will not be the final one – cars will return to the track next year in the new formula, which will raise Polish racing to the next level!

Quotes after second race on Tor Poznań: 

Dylan Pereira: - It was a perfect weekend. I did everything I could trying to chase Jeffrey, but he did not commit any serious mistake and not squandered his points advantage. But I am happy with second place. It was an amazing season in which many times I stood on the top step of the podium, I made a lot of progress and I hope that in future years I will maintain this trend.

Jeffrey Kruger: - It was an amazing season. It started well, but with every race was getting better and better. Good that it happened that way, because in the end I lost a bit of pace, but the points gathered to this moment proved to be sufficient. It was a crazy ride. I hope that next year I will be racing again in some European series. I want to thank the family for their support, the Volkswagen Racing Polska for a great racing series and the new friends whom I met here. 

Marcin Jaros: - During the second race, the Volkswagen Golf Cup on Tor Poznań I scoored the best result of the season. Defence of fourth place, however, was not easy, because in the end I had almost no tires and Andre Gies was pushing me hard. Thanks to all of you for your support during this season. Though not always arranged it my way, but overall I am happy and I hope that the next will be even better. 

Janusz Gładysz, president Volkswagen Racing Polska: - I am very pleased with the third season of the Volkswagen Golf Cup. Cup organization required a lot of work, but its effects compensate it in 100%. I am glad that our series attracted many drivers who fought in style to the very end. Everything like last year resolved the in the last race, so I hope that the fans were pleased with the show, which we made for them. It is also nice that everyone safely lasted until the end of the season, because racing is an extreme sport and there is a risks associated with it. I would like to thank all the employees of Volkswagen Racing Polska for the hard work at the cup, partners for their support, without which the organization project of this size would not be possible, as well as my family, who always supports me in my passion for motorsport.

The post Kruger becomes champion of Volkswagen Golf Cup 2015 appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

The Saturday morning was once again quite cold, thanks to which drivers had to cover two formation laps, giving them an opportunity to heat up the tires before the wheel-to-wheel battle.

When the lights went down the situation in the top didn’t change – Dylan Pereira was leading the race in front of Jeffrey Kruger, Piotr Parys and Simo Muhonen. The fourth lap was though the crucial one, as Parys managed to finalize a brave overtaking maneuver on the overall standings leader, jumping into the 2nd place. Later on, the red and white Golf GTI was very close to the rear bumper of Pereira, but the Polish driver was unable to attack the leader. What was really important, four laps before the end of the rivalry, Piotrek started to lose his pace and had to focus on defending his position, rather than attacking the leader.

At the end of the day, Jeffrey Kruger was the last driver to cover the podium, finishing ahead of Simo Muhonen and Adam Rzepecki. Andre Gies crossed the finish line on the 6th place, overtaking Marucs Fluch who also lost his pace and had to defend his position, as Marcin Jaros was really flying and eager to overtake the Swede. The last drivers to finish in the top 10 were Sebastian Arriola and Jerzy Dudek.

Today on the Tor Poznań we will witness the finale of the season, when precisely at 2:00 p.m. the second race will start. Half an hour later we will know, who is the new champion of the Volkswagen Golf Cup!

Quotes after the first race on Tor Poznań:

Dylan Pereira: - The race was really great. On the first laps we fought hard with Jeffrey and I tried to keep my concentration and not to make any mistakes. When I saw Parys overtaking Kruger I knew it is a good information and I tried to control the rivalry and do my job.

Jeffrey Kruger: - The race was quite well for me. At the beginning I fought with Dylan, but later on I did a mistake and let Piotr Parys overtake me. Later on he drove very well and I was unable to catch him, he really deserved this 2nd place. Congratulations to both him and Dylan, their drive was excellent. 

Piotr Parys: - I am really happy with how the first race went. I started well and was able to keep the good pace. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to beat Dylan Pereira. Afternoon we will fight in the second race and I hope the result will be at least that good.

The post First race for Pereira appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

The qualifying session before the last round of the Volkswagen Golf Cup were held afternoon, which meant conditions were the best on the very beginning of the session. Everything was caused by the temperatures falling down, as well as the grip. The key was to find the perfect match in the very first minutes of the time trial and drive an optimal lap without looking for one’s pace.

Dylan Pereira was the best in those conditions – he was also the pace setter in the earlier practice sessions. The driver from Luxembourg did a one lap with time 1:43,730, being faster than Jeffrey Kruger, who lost 0,196 second. The leader of the overall standings was also the only driver to fight with Pereira, as the foreign duo went far away from the whole grid. The last driver to finish in top 3 was Piotr Parys, being also the best Pole on the starting positions. The driver from Lublin also managed to beat his closest rival – Simo Muhonen. The fifth place went to Marcus Fluch and behind his back the only female driver in Volkswagen Golf Cup – Gosia Rdest. The top 10 was closed by Andre Gies, Sebastian Arriola, Marcin Jaros and Michał Gadomski, who used the spare car after the crash in the practice session.

After checking the second best lap times it turned out that the pole position to the afternoon Sunday race also went to Dylan Pereira’s hands. Behind his back we will see Kruger, Parys and Muhonen. However, Gosia Rdest managed to overtake Marcus Fluch and will start from the fifth place on the grid. Marcin Jaros managed to advance to 7^th, while to last top 10 finishers were Sebastian Arriola, Andre Gies and Michał Gadomski.

Tomorrow drivers will have to face two races, which will decide about the final positions in the overall standings. The first of them is scheduled at 9:45 a.m., while the second one will start precisely at 2:00 p.m.!

Quotes after the Volkswagen Golf Cup 2015 qualifying session on Tor Poznań:

Dylan Pereira: - I am extremely happy as I managed to get on the pole position twice. I hope tomorrow I will be able to keep those places until the last metres of the rivalry. The battle in the championship won’t be easy, though I am still in the game and you can’t predict what happens tomorrow. Let’s hope things will end up my way.

Jeffrey Kruger: - The qualifying went quite well for me, as to both races I will start from the 2^nd place. In front of me there is my main rival in the overall standings – Dylan Pereira, so tomorrow we will have an interesting fight. I have a big advantage in points, so it will be crucial tomorrow to drive carefully, as the title is very close.

Michał Gadomski: - This weekend is unfortunately not going my way. Due to the crash in the practice session I had to start with a spare car in the qualifying – though it didn’t change my fortune. I don’t know why, but I had a flat tire on my front left wheel, which is the most important here. It caused I was able to finish only on the 10^th place. Tomorrow I will try to minimalize my lost positions.

The post Pereira keeps his pace appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

The weekend in the capital city of Wielkopolska is extremely busy and the first practice session began precisely at 10:00 a.m. Then as many as 25 Golf GTI’s roared their engines before the preparations to the last weekend of the season. However, the beginning wasn’t easy, as low morning temperatures meant the track was very slippery and getting the tires to their optimum work range was quite a challenge.

Dylan Pereira was the one who managed the morning cold the best setting a lap time of 1:44,887 seconds, being the fastest on the Tor Poznań. The rest of the grid wasn’t far behind though, as Piotr Parys was only 0,091 seconds adrift, helding a good position before the fight for the unofficial title of the best debutant with Simo Muhonen. The last driver who finished in the top 3 was Andre Gies, who lost less then 0,1 of the second to the driver supported by Sonax. It is also worth mentioning that differences between the drivers were really small, which resulted with the top 11 finishers divided by less than a second. In this group we could see Simo Muhonen, who overtook 5^th Jeffrey Kruger, Michał Gadomski, Marcin Jaros, Sebastian Arriola, Adam Rzepecki and Zbigniew Szwagierczak, who was the last finisher in the top 10.

In the second free practice sessions it was once again Pereira, who turned out to be the fastest on the Polish circuit, improving his lap time from the morning session by 0,3 seconds. Other drivers, however, didn’t manage to repeat his achievement – most of them noted worse times then in the first session of the day, despite hotter weather and ability to do the flying lap since the very first stages of the 30-minute training. The second driver this time was Marcus Fluch, who lost to the competitor from Luxembourg 0,272 seconds. The last driver from the top 3 were Adam Rzepecki, in front of Bartosz Palusko and the leader of the overall standings – Jeffrey Kruger. Sixth time was yet one another great drive from Zbigniew Szwagierczak, the Guest driver, while the rest positions from the top 10 went to Jerzy Dudek, Andre Gies, Patryk Strzesak and Jędrzej Szcześniak.

Drivers will have to face one more session today which will bring us the pole position winner before both Sunday races. We will know the pole-setter precisely at 3:35 p.m.

Quotes after the Volkswagen Golf Cup 2015 practice sessions on Tor Poznań:

Adam Rzepecki: - The beginning of the weekend in Poznań was very good for me. The morning session was a tough one due to very low temperatures and the circuit was very slippery, but nevertheless I was able to do a quick lap. In the second free practice I found my optimal pace, which enabled me to finish 3^rd. I hope in the qualifying session I will be able to run as good as I did here. 

Jeffrey Kruger: - I began the final round with 5^th time in both sessions. I like the circuit in Poznań and I have already won here, but rivals are very fast too, so we will have a very fierce battle during the weekend. It is important not to make any mistakes and avoid losing important points.

Dylan Pereira: - The weekend started very well. Two first times are a positive sign before the rest of this round. In the morning practice session we had some issues, but probably this was a result of the low temperatures. I hope during the next sessions we will be able to maintain the same pace.

The post Fantastic start for Pereira appeared first on Volkswagen Racing Polska.

Where did the idea of creating the international racing cup came from?

It is difficult to point one special moment or a factor that pushed us to begin the work under the Cup. My whole family for years felt that special kind of love to motorsports and with each stage we always tried something new. Racing has become an integral part of our dealer activity in the Gładysz and Sons company. On the very beginnings we participated in various series and observing the German organization we have decided to transfer it to the Polish ground – firstly in organizing the Golf TDI Cup in years 2005 – 2006, while later on after additional experience from the Scirocco Cup, where my younger son used to start, we hit on an idea of organizing the Volkswagen Golf Cup. The initiative came from the directors of motorsport and marketing of that time in the Volkswagen company and were strictly connected with the import changes on the Polish market. I have received a proposition of organizing the sport cup, which target was, apart from supporting young talents, to build an image of the company to young generation. In the year 2012 we went full throttle with our work to be ready for the start of the season 2013.

The third season of the Volkswagen Golf Cup has just finished. Are you happy with how things went?

By all means. The organization of such big international event wasn’t an easy task, but in my opinion we faced the challenge really well and proved that in Poland the racing initiative can also rise, matching the competition from countries with much bigger experience. The interest in the cup has been bigger and bigger with every season, what proves our commitment and level of the Volkswagen Golf Cup. Our cars were racing on the western circuits, matching the high standards of such series like Formula 1 or World Touring Car Championship. In the result drivers received a better product, while the supporters could follow more interesting races itself. We were also the first ones in Poland to bring the live-streaming to the Internet, we were leaders in many areas.

Could you compare the Golf Cup to the Volkswagen Scirocco Cup? Did the Polish series outrun the German one in some areas?

The Scirocco Cup was our role model, but we faced a lot of opinions from the drivers who participated in the German competition, that we did our job with more passion and heart. Drivers told us many times there was more enthusiasm, the famous Polish hospitality and a better scoring system. We tried to honor each driver so he could have a souvenir for life, while the best ones received big money prizes, which were the support of their further careers. I think we need to thank the management of the Volkswagen Group Polska, who sponsored those rewards, supporting young talents.

What is the opinion of the central of Volkswagen Motorsport about your initiative?

The opinion of Volkswagen Motorsport was one of the most touching and nice moments during those three years with the Cup. Jost Capito, the leader of the German’s company sport department, during the last season’s Scirocco R-Cup finale on the Hockenheimring said that the organization of our cup is on the highest world class and is on the same level as the cup supported by the headquarters. I am really proud and happy that the idea we had few yours ago during a meeting with Stefan Moser, the director of marketing in VW Motorsport, as well as with the chief of motorsport Kris Nissen, with a support of the German company and Volkswagen Group Polska, has grew so much and brought such benefits to VW’s image in Poland.

What are those benefits for the Volkswagen brand in Poland?

One of the ideas of organizing the cup, apart from the sport values, was also the fact that I am continuously a dealer of Volkswagen and my goal is to bring positive results for the image of the brand in Poland and all dealerships. During all this years I have noticed that cars from my brand are bought mainly by older people, or middle-aged. For the time being, the Volkswagen has worked on opinion of a very solid company, but in my opinion we still need to show that it can also fulfil younger generation needs. The sport is strictly connected with emotions, temper and attractiveness. People mind’s remember this and can attract younger people to the brand.

Do you think the Cup is a good way to encourage new clients to buy Volkswagens? 

In my opinion the Cup is a perfect way of realizing this goal. The sports rivalry shows that our cars, which are mostly built with original parts, can manage even the toughest conditions. This builds the awareness that Volkswagens are solid and reliable. The truth is however, in Poland this potential is not used to its limit. I think there are few factors which cause this situation. One of them is the fact we have only one racing venue and therefore it is hard to show our Cup to the Polish fan, as we are racing mainly abroad. In my opinion, this way is still very good and may not bring instant effects, but in few years we will see the result among the young generation.

Why the cup has met with such a big interest? What is so special about it?

During the organization of Volkswagen Golf Cup we have introduced an innovative approach, according to which all cars belong to the organizer, who is responsible for a respective preparation of the machines. In each sport discipline those who lose, are always trying to implement the competitors’ cars were more powerful, sometimes even contrary to the rules – here this issue has been solved. Each Golf prepared by the Volkswagen Racing Polska is identical, which makes the driver skills even more important, the drivers have to take care of beating their rivals on their own, as the machine doesn’t give any advantage. This was also one of the reasons, which had influence on the cup’s popularity. Undoubtedly, the big plus were also the financial rewards, which helped drivers to do next step in their racing careers. Very important was also the climate, which Volkswagen created for the drivers, sponsors and partners.

You have mentioned a fierce rivalry. Can you think of any driver during those three years, who deserve to be highlighted?

My role is to treat all drivers equally, so it would be inappropriate to signalize, one is better than the others. For me, every driver who participated in the Volkswagen Golf Cup was great. Both gentleman and the ladies, who are always racing in our cup since the beginning. The fight is really, really fierce and very often a dozen or so can finish the session split by only a second – the grid is more equal than in Formula 1!

During first two years the rivalry has been known as the Volkswagen Golf Cup, but now it is the Volkswagen Golf Cup. Why did you change the name? 

Before the first season we have conducted talks with many potential partners and at the end of the day we chose to cooperate with Castrol. We hoped that strategy partnership will last for the whole three years, but for some reasons not quite clear for me the Castrol brand decided to withdraw after the 2^nd year. I would lie to tell it had not affected us, as the smaller budget had a lot of repercussions and organizing difficulties. To finish the answer and close the topic, I can say this decision was painful for us, organizers, as well as the drivers. We had to cut down the amount of rounds, support for the drivers, especially the Polish ones and the marketing activities. We regret that Castrol, which has great roots in the motorsports, withdrawing from their declaration on a three-year relationship, therefore broke the rules, declared by them since years in those areas.

Does the experience gathered during organization of the cup has some influence on the dealership activity?

Obviously, yes. For us motorsport is a very important part of promotion and marketing, that’s why during sells of our cars we are always trying to benefit from racing, to show the reliability of Volkswagen and their ability to challenge even the toughest conditions. More than that, our racing crew is also made of mechanics and engineers, who are working in the dealer companies every day. Thanks to work done with racing cars and the state-of-the-art technologies they can improve their skills, also improving the quality of service.

How did the cup influenced on Polish motorsport?

In my opinion quite moderate. When I was organizing the Golf TDI cup in years 2005 – 2006 I was hoping it would be some kind of a motor which bring changes in our country, especially that our local initiative met with a big success of Robert Kubica on the world arenas. The time goes on and during past 10 years not much has changed. I don’t know the reason, but in our country people still perceive motorsports differently than other sport disciplines. It’s a pity, especially that there are still more and more cars on the roads, young people have more opportunities to buy their own car and education in the automotive culture should be very important – as well as giving those people a chance to try their skills in other, safe conditions, not only on the public roads. We also hoped other companies to get a positive stimulus and participate in motorsports, improving the Polish market. Surely our activity brought some changes, but the effect is quite delicate, because all initiatives, not only ours, didn’t give us new circuits and bigger media interest.

Will the 2015 season be the last for Volkswagen Golf Cup?

A lot of people ask me this question, both the drivers, teams and other sport organizations. Our main idea is focused on two years. We would also like to focus mostly on the Polish market, where despite having only one circuit we’d like to organize two or three rounds. The concept also assumes a big change of the format, as we are planning to organize races according to one of this two options:
- one 1-hour race with an obligatory pit-stop for a 2-3 minute tire change or the possible change of drivers or
- two races, 30 minutes each with a break between them maximally lasting for 3 hours, also with a possible opportunity to switch drivers.
Cars would also be significantly modified to adapt them to different type of rivalry, what is most important, they will arrive in the driver’s or team’s hands, so they can take care of the service on their own.

Why drivers should be interested in such an option? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the current format, where you don’t have to worry about servicing the car?

Experiences gathered during past three years give us the possibility to support technically all teams, and guarantee a full control over restricting the equality of the car rule. This system would be even cheaper, giving a chance to the drivers with smaller budgets. This also make the practice easier, as the driver won’t be dependent from the organizer, as well as the team will be able to present their car in motorsport events, making it easier to find sponsors and establish new relationships.

In which areas Volkswagen would still be involved, after the teams takeover the racing Golfs?

We still want to support the development of the motorsport and the racing drivers. We would still be responsible for the racing weekends, especially in organizing and regulating ways, obviously we would also take care of the technical control, advice in servicing the cars and supplying the spare parts – tires, fuel, etc. The Volkswagen city would also be awaiting for the drivers – pits, hospitality and hopefully still very interesting and high awards for the drivers.

Could you betray a bit more about the format of the new Volkswagen Golf Cup?

Just like I said, we will try to keep the racing weekend a bit more condense. One practice session would be held on the Friday afternoon, while the next day would be assigned for the qualifying session and race. All this due to reduce the logistic costs and make the starts easier for the drivers, who are realizing other duties during the week. It is also worth mentioning, that shorter weekend doesn’t mean less driving.

Is it already known on which circuits will the new cup be held?

The above plans are still in a phase of a concept. If we realize them, we’d like to have 6 rounds in the calendar. Two, or three of them would be held in Poland, while other abroad. We are thinking here about the Lausitzring, which is a modern, located near the border venue, also hosting the DTM series. We would surely visit Brno in the Czech Republic, while the other locations could be Hungaroring in Hungary, Red Bull Ring in Austria or some other known and prestigious track.

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Final scene of this year’s struggle

 25 drivers representing as many as 10 different countries will come to the circuit located in the capital city of Wielkopolska – Tor Poznań. A visit on the fast and twisty lap of the circuit is always providing a lot of emotions, as this is the place where the championship  organized by Volkswagen Racing Polska is always at its finish. This season, as many as  four drivers still have a chance to reach the dreamed-of title. The best situation currently has Jeffrey Kruger who scored precisely 400 points. With a loss of 46 points, Dylan Pereira will begin the Poznań round on the 2^nd place overall, while the third fastest this season is Marcus Fluch, whose loss to Kruger is 50 points. Just behind them, mathematical chances still have Michał Gadomski, who extended his chances by winning a race number one in Brno. It is worth to remember, that in two races during each round drivers can score maximum 100 points, which means the emotions will be present until the very last meter of the rivalry. Apart from numerous money prizes and awards, the winner of this year’s edition of the Volkswagen Golf Cup will meet an opportunity of a great surprise. He will have a chance to have a guest start in the final round of the Audi Sport TT Cup, which will be held 16^th – 18^th October on the German venue Hockenheim.

Practice sessions, qualifying and races

 The beginning of the last racing weekend of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Cup will be very busy. The rivalry in Poznań is scheduled for two days, which means they will be quite tight. Most of the drivers know the Tor Poznań really well, that’s why the biggest challenge in the practice sessions would be setting their Golf GTI’s.

The racing weekend will begin on Friday, October 2^nd – this would also be the day of the first practice sessions, first of which is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Half an hour sessions are important for the whole grid, as among the others, the drivers are trying to find a perfect setup of the pressure in their tires provided by the Korean company Hankook. After a short break and the first analysis of the lap times, the drivers will once again seat in their Golf’s at 12:55 p.m. during the second free practice, which will be a direct test before the qualifying session, scheduled at 3:35 p.m the very same day. At 4:05 p.m. we will know the starting positions of the whole grid before both Saturday races.

Saturday, 3^rd October, will be the day of a fierce battle in two races, during which we will know the new champion of the Volkswagen Golf Cup. The beginning of the first rivalry is scheduled at 9:45 a.m., while the drivers will take their starting positions before the second race precisely at 2:00 p.m. The culmination of the final round of the Volkswagen Golf Cup will be an official, solemn end of a 2015 season gala, scheduled at Saturday afternoon.

Push – to – Pass

The thing that will make overtaking easier on the Polish venue, as well as bring more colors to the rivalry during the final Volkswagen Golf Cup round is a Push – to – Pass system. It is a solution used in the Golf’s prepared by the Volkswagen Racing Polska since the very beginning of the cup. During this round drivers will have possibility to increase power of the engine with extra 50 hp (up to 310 hp) 19 times during single race. Every time the system will increase the power for 10 seconds, but the next “shot” will be able to use only after the 10 seconds brake. Last season we have seen that the proper usage of the system can be crucial in fighting for the win. At the beginning of the season drivers who used the Push – to – Pass system last year will be in a better position, but during the previous round we have seen that each contestant has learnt very quickly how to make a good use of it. The number displayed on the side wind-shields shows how much shots each driver has left. Activation of the Push – to – Pass system is signalized with a blue lamp placed on the front windscreen of each Golf GTI.

Familiar Poznań

 During the sixth round of the Volkswagen Golf Cup drivers will have to face a lot of challenges. All sessions scheduled on Friday and Saturday will surely provide a big physical effort, but the racing drivers have already proven this year that they are perfectly prepared, fit and with great stamina.

The first races on the Tor Poznań have been organized since a year 1977, when on the beginning of December the new venue destined both for cars and motorcycles have been opened. Three years later, in the area of the lap, a new karting track have been built. The venue in the capital city of Wielkopolska is located on the old airstrip of the Airport Poznań-Ławica. A lap which the Volkswagen Golf Cup drivers will drive on is over 4-kilometers long and have 14 fast, long and technical corners. Fans and supporters who were on the Tor Poznań in the past could admire such fames like Robert Kubica, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jackie Stewart.

Volkswagen Golf Cup 2015 – 6^th round – time schedule

 Friday, October 2^nd    

10.00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. – 1 practice session

12.55 p.m. – 1.25 p.m. – 2 practice session

3.35 p.m. – 4.05 p.m. – qualifying session

Saturday, October 3^rd  

9.45 a.m. – 10.25 p.m. – race 1

2.00 p.m. – 2.40 p.m. – race 2

Quotes before the 6^th round of Volkswagen Golf Cup 2015 in Brno:

Adam Gładysz, sporting coordinator of Volkswagen Golf Cup: - The 2015 season have passed really quickly! We had barely started the year with a preseason tests on Slovakia Ring and now we are heading to the final round on Tor Poznań. We have witnessed an incredible season and a great rivalry of the drivers from 10 different countries all over the world. The last round will take place on our home track in Poznań and there will surely be a lot of emotions – as many as four drivers still have a chance of winning the title! I would like to invite all of our fans to follow the rivalry and feel the emotions on your own. Personally, I keep my fingers crossed for all of the drivers and I hope sport and a fair-play fight will be the winners!

Jeffrey Kruger: - I am heading to Poznań thinking about the overall standings situation – my main target this weekend will be scoring a championship title of the Volkswagen Golf Cup. I will also try to win a race, but the priority will be to avoid any unnecessary adventures and contact with other rivals. After a tough round in the Czech Republic I hope to present a better pace. Last season we have been on Tor Poznań twice, so a knowledge of the track shouldn’t be an issue. I already can’t wait until the round starts!

Piotr Parys: - The last round of my first season in the Volkswagen Golf Cup is in front of us. The Tor Poznań is one of my favorite venues, that’s why I will do my best to reach the finish line on the best possible place. I am very happy with my pace during the last weekend in Brno, where I was able to get good positions in both races. Obviously, I will also try to keep the good momentum and fight with Simo Muhonen for the title of the best debutant in the 2015 season. It is the only round held in Poland and it is always very emotional. I have good memories with the Tor Poznań, as last year I finished two races of the KIA Lotos Race on second places. This time though, getting such result will be a much bigger challenge – I will fight until the last meters and do all it takes to improve this result, keep your fingers crossed!

Simo Muhonen: - I will do my best before the next round in Poznań and try to eliminate the mistakes that cost me podium finishes in Brno. The target will be of course to return to the podium, but according the overall standings I will be focused on a fight with Piotrek Parys on becoming the best debutant of the year. Many drivers have much bigger knowledge of the track then me, but in Brno I also lost a day of preparation and nevertheless was able to present a good pace. I will do my best and we will see what my pace will be in comparison to others.

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