Volkswagen newsletter 2008-06-22

Rallye dos Sertoes 2008
Volkswagen successfully finishes first half of Rallye dos Sertoes

After five of a total of ten legs, Volkswagen drivers Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (RSA/D) and Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/RSA) are clearly leading the field at the Rallye dos Sertoes in Brazil. The Race Touareg 2 powered by a 280-hp TDI diesel engine was victorious on each of the legs driven so far at South America's most important cross-country rally. Four of the stage wins and the prologue went to Giniel de Villiers, while Mark Miller celebrated one stage victory. After ten legs and a total distance of 4,500 kilometres, the rally will finish in the north-east, in Natal, on 27 June.

Volkswagen GTI Cup Japan
Two victories for Kamasaki

Hiroshi Kamasaki won the two opening races of the Volkswagen GTI Cup Japan at Tsukuba. On the circuit located some 60 kilometres northeast of Tokyo, last year's champion, in difficult weather conditions, prevailed twice in his Golf against Ken Kubo. Third places were clinched by Toru Maruyama and Kenichi Suzuki, respectively.

Volkswagen Racing Circuit Trial Japan
Season opener with big field of contenders

Some 50 vehicles started to the season opener of the Volkswagen Racing Circuit Trial Japan at Tsukuba. Divided into four classes, two drivers - respectively - compete against each other on the race track in this amateur racing series. The drivers setting the total best times are the winners. On the just under two-kilometre-long circuit, the Volkswagen Golf drivers Nachi Fukuda, Hideaki Kato, Yasushi Inoue and Kazuhiro Kawauchi shone with best-in-class times.

Formula 3 Euro Serie
Volkswagen comes to Norisring as leader of the sstandings

With tests on the Grand Prix circuit at Monza on Tuesday the Volkswagen Team RC Motorsport is preparing for the two forthcoming races of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the Norisring. During the tests, drivers Congfu Cheng, Jens Klingmann and Martin Plowman will primarily concentrate on aerodynamics, ride height and brake cooling in order to adapt the Dallara F308 Volkswagen specifically to the special characteristics of the city street circuit in Nuremberg. There, Volkswagen driver Edoardo Mortara (Team Signature), who most recently clinched the first victory for Volkswagen on the city circuit in Pau (F), will defend his lead of the standings in the world's most important Junior racing series.

Coming up next...

17- 27 June
Rallye dos Sertoes 2008 in Brazil (BR)

23 June
Press conference on the occasion of the DTM race at the Norisring with Volkswagen Formula 3 driver Maximilian Gotz (Uffenheim) and Polo Cup contender Elia Erhart (Rottenbach) in Nuremberg (D)

28 - 29 June
7th and 8th round, Formula 3 Euro Series at the Norisring (D)

29 June
6th round, ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup at the Norisring (D)

29 June
3rd round, Volkswagen Polo Cup Denmark in Padborg (DK)

-credit: volkswagen-motorsport.com