Volkswagen Motorsport International Newsletter

With Volkswagen participating in so many forms of Motorsport around the world, it’s often difficult to keep track of their performance. Luckily for us, Volkswagen Motorsport goes through the trouble of rounding up all of the key information from their various race series, and puts it all in one press release. Let’s get started.

FIA World Rally Championship

2015 Essen Motor Show: World Champion Ogier crowned rally driver of the year

Sébastien Ogier (F) was crowned rally driver of the year at the Essen Motor Show (D). The three-time World Rally Champion received the award presented by “Auto Bild Motorsport” in front of more than 600 guests at the “Race Night”. Ogier’s co-driver Julien Ingrassia (F) was awarded best rally co-driver. This was the third time in as many years that the French duo received this award. “It was an exciting season that we were able to round off by winning the title,” said Ogier. “To be crowned best rally driver here again is a great honour. Many thanks to the fans who supported us throughout the season and voted for us.” Ogier and Ingrassia staked their early claim on the world championship title at the Rally Australia in September. Volkswagen was the most successful manufacturer in the WRC for the third time. The two Frenchmen will make their next appearance in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC at the 2016 season opener, which will be the legendary Rally Monte Carlo (22/01–24/01/2016).

FIA World Rallycross Championship

Kristoffersson clinches third place

Johan Kristoffersson (S) of Volkswagen Team Sweden clinched third place in the drivers’ standings at the season finale of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in Rosario (RA), Argentina. The Swede was eliminated in the semi-final at the Circuit Juan Manuel Fangio, but the two championship points he picked up were enough for him to assert himself over Andreas Bakkerud (N, Ford) in the World Championship. The two drivers were separated by just two points at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Petter Solberg (N, Citroën) clinched the World Champion title and relegated Timmy Hansen (S, Peugeot) into second place. Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen was the best Marklund Motorsport driver in Rosario. The Finn in the Volkswagen Polo RX finished in fourth place in the semi-final, which saw him narrowly miss out on making the final. Heikkinen finished ninth in the championship standings.

Volkswagen Vento Cup India

Reddy clinched title win – Vaidyam best junior driver

Excitement down to the final race of the season in the Volkswagen Vento Cup India: Anindith Reddy (IND) had to wait until the final in Greater Noida (IND) to clinch the title win. Two podium positions in the three races held were enough for last year’s winner of the junior standings to win the championship. “I am extremely happy with the 2015 title and looking forward to the next steps in 2016,” said Reddy. “The competition was tough and I knew it was going down to the wire for the final title honours.” Meanwhile, the award for best junior driver of the season went to Pradeep Rao Vaidyam (IND). This victory sees Vaidyam secure a starting position in the 2016 season of the Volkswagen Vento Cup.

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