Oschersleben: Volkswagen preview

Motorsport youngsters go to Volkswagen home race highly motivated

Wolfsburg (24 July 2009). For some it is unknown territory, for others it is a special racing double-header. Volkswagen's home race at Oschersleben from 31 July to 02 August is truly a highlight of the season for the talent in the Formula 3 Euro Series and the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup promoted by the Wolfsburg automobile manufacturer. After three years, the Euro Series is returning to the "Borde" flatlands near Magdeburg for the first time, thus marking a maiden race for the Volkswagen drivers. For the male and female racers of the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup on the other hand, Oschersleben represents familiar hunting grounds. This is where Volkswagen holds the introductory courses of the "touring car school". At a distance of just a few kilometres from Wolfsburg, the young drivers of both series are under special scrutiny. In addition to board members of the Volkswagen brand, numerous athletes have announced their attendance.

Formula 3 Euro Series at Oschersleben: new territory for Vernay, Maki and company

New territory for the drivers, new territory for engine supplier Volkswagen: The Wolfsburg automobile manufacturer is contesting the Formula 3 Euro Series at Oschersleben for the first time. For the drivers of the three partner teams Signature, Carlin Motorsport and Kolles & Heinz Union, this event represents their racing debut in the Magdeburg flatlands as well. "Although, after a three-year absence, the race at Oschersleben marks the return of the Euro Series to this venue, Volkswagen has gathered plenty of experience in the ATS Formula 3 Cup at our home circuit," says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "In the Euro Series we'd like to continue the five victories and nine podium places we've so far celebrated here at eight Cup races."

Before the Formula 3 Euro Series' visit to the Magdeburg flatlands the Frenchman Jean Karl Vernay from the Volkswagen partner team Signature is ranking third in the standings, 20 points behind leader Jules Bianchi. "In the past race at Zandvoort we scored important points for our fight for the championship but stayed far below our potential," said the 21-year-old from Villeurbanne. "We were strong there in qualifying and want to continue that at Oschersleben. The top drivers will be racing for the first time on this circuit; nobody has any real experience values."

Jake Rosenzweig wants to continue his exploit achieved at Zandvoort: The American from Team Carlin Motorsport celebrated his first podium place - his second in car racing - in the Euro Series "powered by Volkswagen" in Sunday's run. "I still need to learn a lot, but I'm hoping to have already broken my duck," says Rosenzweig.

ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup: everyone is chasing Steinhof, football meets handball

Four races this season, four times the same winner. At Volkswagen's home race at Oschersleben the question in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup will be whether or not anyone will put an end to Maciek Steinhof's winning streak. And, if so, who will be the rival thwarting the Pole's record plans? As many as four "home players" are likely candidates at the double-header staged in the Magdeburg "Borde" flatlands not far from Volkswagen's main plant in Wolfsburg. Felix Tigges from Wolfsburg, Marcel Belka from Lehrte, Kris Heidorn from Wunstorf and ProTalent winner Jann-Hendrik Ubben from Ihlow want to shine in front of a large sporting audience. In addition to the three local heroes, the "normal suspects" Elia Erhart, the runner-up in the standings, and Max Sandritter, the third in the standings, are considered candidates for their first victories of the season.

The field of the 26 "touring car students" who regularly compete in the Polo Cup will be complemented by three guests at Oschersleben. Football meets handball: The "white Brazilian" Ansgar Brinkmann, who in his active days was deemed one of Germany's last street footballers, will fight a duel with Frank von Behren, the former captain of the German national handball team. Both have already tested the 150-hp Racing Polo at Oschersleben. Another guest entrant comes from overseas: The half-time champion in the American Jetta TDI Cup, who will be determined by the race in Chicago this weekend, will receive the unique opportunity by Volkswagen to compete in the German Cup.

The field of 29 contenders will be under scrutiny by numerous top-level athletes. As well as quadrathlete Silke Harenberg, sport shooter Hans-Jorg Meyer and canoeist Julian Rohn the teams of the Braunschweig Lions (American football), SV Lengede (association football/soccer) as well as Eintracht Braunschweig, who wants to get a first whiff of DTM air following its DFB Cup match against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Friday, have announced their attendance.

-credit: vw