Volkswagen interested in APRC customer programme, say organisers

The German manufacturer has pulled out of the World Rally Championship at the end of the 2016 season after four years of dominance since 2013.

In an announcement from the German marque, Frank Welsch, Member of the Board of Management, stated that the brand is focusing on a customer programme in various championships, developing its Polo cars to R5 regulations - rather than make a full-time manufacturer entry.

When asked by Motorsport.com whether there is attraction from any manufacturers, Brown commented on the interest shown from the Hannover-based marque's Indian arm in a potential customer model.

"The only manufacturer showing interest in APRC and commitment to comply with the FIA safety requirements is Volkswagen," he said. "They obviously have a vision for their motorsport involvement and activities in the region.

"At this stage I cant see them entering as a manufacturer in the short term, but they do want to have a presence, possibly with customer cars.

"My initial discussions in 2013 was on the basis that Volkswagen India is making the decisions, with full knowledge and some support from Germany," he added.

Currently, the series has the MRF squad running the Skoda R5 cars, while privateers Cusco Racing uses the Subaru Impreza WRX STI cars homologated as per the NR4 regulations.

During the APRC's season finale in Chikmagalur earlier this month, Volkswagen's Indian arm fielded its Polo R2 car driven by Phalguna Urs, to observe where they stand against the competition in the series.

Urs finished sixth overall in the rally, close to five minutes behind the Subaru and a further three minutes from the eventual winner Gaurav Gill in the R5.

When asked by Motorsport.com, VW India's Head of Motorsport, Sirish Vissa, said that even though they are trying to expand their programme, but it is still at the infancy stage as they are currently in the process of understanding the feasibility of running such a model.

Vissa also stressed on the fact that they will still need to develop its R2 cars, so as to go up against the Subarus, while conceded that the Skoda is out of reach at the moment.

Looking to the 2017 season, Vissa said that they are open to enter in the APRC, should they find the right customers wanting to compete with its R2 cars.