The second season of the innovative Volkswagen Castrol Cup racing series will start on April 25. Venue of the first round will be Hungarian Hungaroring – a race track well known from Formula 1. A total of 14 races will be held in five countries. 21 drivers from eight countries will compete, including Jerzy Dudek – one of the most successful Polish footballers and famous VIP Drivers.

– For the second time I decided to take the challenge in Volkswagen Castrol Cup. This time, however, I will compete in all seven rounds of the Cup Volkswagen Castrol Cup. Emotions reach its peak as I countdown to the first race continues. Along with the other drivers I take part in the tests and pre-season workshops and briefings. I try to discover where my limits are. With every race I gain more and more confidence on the track. Undoubtedly, motorsport has become my new passion, which I intend to develop. Keep your fingers crossed – says Jerzy Dudek, Castrol brand ambassador.

The organizers of the series are the Volkswagen Racing Poland, Volkswagen Group Poland. The strategic sponsor is Castrol brand, which for many years globally supports Volkswagen in motorsport.

New quality in racing

The innovative formula of Volkswagen Castrol Cup, developed with the clear motto – „Racing is our life”, puts emphasis on a clean, sporting competition and talent development. Volkswagen Castrol Cup is ticket to a further racing career for many young athletes. Cup winner not only will be crowned Polish Champion, he (or she) will receive other prizes: Car of the Year 2013 – Volkswagen Golf VII and 30 000 euro to spend on developing career in motorsports. The second of the contestants will receive 20, and the third – 10 000 euro. Like the winner, financial rewards are supposed to ease going to next career levels. Prizes are not the only element of support and training for young drivers. Training is supported by electronic systems mounted in cars as well as worldwide drivers exchange program between Volkswagen racing series.

– Drivers during the season can improve their skills through the use of a car telemetry system. When analyzing the data, the driver can compare with the fastest driver and check how and where he looses time. The system is very accurate. For example it can provide information that driver starts to brake, about 0,5 seconds too early. At a speed of almost 200 km/h reached by the cars at the end of the pit straight in Poznan, it causes the loss of up to 28 meters. And this is just one example, as Tomasz Tonder, Volkswagen PR Manager explains.

In the Volkswagen Castrol Cup competitors can focus exclusively on sportsmanship. Other issues, such as logistics, preparation and service of racing cars during each of the seven rounds of the cup are the responsibilities of the organizer. Competitors race in identical, specially prepared racing Volkswagen Golfs GTI.

The cars were built in Tarnow in Volkswagen Racing Poland. Its specification has been developed in collaboration with Volkswagen Motorsport. Golfs are equipped with a 2,0 TSI petrol engine with 260 bhp, lubricated by Castrol EDGE Professional Longlife III 5W -30 motor oil. All of the cars were adapted to extreme driving on the racetrack. Extra equipment includes Push – to – Pass system, which increases engine power to 310 bhp for a short period of time. Telemetry system and sports suspension also was fitted in.

– We look forward to real racing emotions, rivalry and commitment of the competitors. For us Volkswagen Castrol Cup is a strategic sponsorship project in Poland, through which we promote our partnership with Volkswagen and develop the Polish automotive industry, said Dorota Staszewska – Kumiszcze, Castrol Sponsorship & Public Relations Manager.

Rivalry fair play and tactics

True sports rivalry is kept even by limited possibilities of individual car modifications. The driver or his engineer can only adjust the tire pressure and front anti-roll bar setting. In addition, during one race, competitors several times several times the Push-to- Pass system, which is activated with a button on the steering wheel. This system increases engine power from 260 to 310 hp for 10 seconds.

– This system not only makes overtaking easier, but also gives more thrill, by adding a tactical element. Skillful use of this system often determines the outcome of the race. Push – to – Pass teaches players how to be smart on the race track. The number of visible side windows indicates how many Push – to – Pass shots are left. In addition, behind the windscreen of the car there is a blue light. When it goes on it means that the PTP system is active – explains Adam Gladysz, Volkswagen Racing Poland.

New tracks in the calendar

During each race weekend two practice sessions and qualifying session are held (30 minutes each). Then the drivers compete in two races. Unlike last year, this season the starting order for the second race is determined by the second-best time scored in qualifying session. Points are awarded in every race for the first twenty drivers. In the 2014 season race winner will receive 50 points, and 20th driver will get 2 points.

This year’s edition of the Volkswagen Castrol Cup will be held on six tracks in five countries. Volkswagen Castrol Cup 2014 calendar:

* April 25-27 – Hungaroring (Hungary)
* May 23-25 – Lausitzring (Germany)
* June 13-15 – Tor Poznan (Poland)
* August 8-10 – Autodromo Most (Czech Republic)
* August 22-24 – Slovakia Ring (Slovakia)
* September 12-14 – Brno (Czech Republic)
* September 26-28 – Tor Poznan (Poland)

Fight to the last meters

21 drivers from 8 countries will start this season of Volkswagen Castrol Cup. Among them are the drivers known from the 2013 season. Jerzy Dudek – Castrol brand ambassador enjoyed last year guest appearances so much, that he decided to take part in the whole season. So far, apart from Jerzy Dudek there were other famous VIP drivers. Among them were popular boxer Przemyslaw Saleta, Volkswagen rally driver Andreas Mikkelsen and multiple speedway champion Tomasz Gollob. This year, we will se some well known TV presenters as a VIP drivers including Agnieszka Szulim, Marcin Prokop or Filip Chajzer.

Castrol supports the best

As part of a global partnership, Castrol and Volkswagen for many years have been developing together innovative technological solutions, motor oils and other fluids that are used in the Volkswagen group cars. Cooperation also means joint projects in motorsports and many successes such as Sebastian Ogier’s World Rally Champion title.

Main sponsors: Castrol, Hankook, VW Bank Polska oraz STS Car Distribution Center.

Partnership: VW Motorsport, Volkswagen R GmbH, PZM, ATS, OMP, Bilstein, Eibach.

Visit our social media channels: