Volkswagen Racing Cup News
Josh Caygill

Pictured: Scirocco R Cup action at Hockenheim. Click to open hi-resolution version

NEWS RELEASE: 8 OCTOBER 2014

FULBROOK READY FOR HOCKENHEIM SCIROCCO CUP PRIZE DRIVE

Three-time Volkswagen Racing Cup Champion Joe Fulbrook will make an appearance in the international racing arena next Saturday (18 Oct) when he swaps his familiar Golf GTI for a Scirocco at the Hockenheimring in Germany.

Joe’s drive in the final round of the Scirocco R Cup is his prize for clinching outright victory in the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup; the 43-year-old from Berkshire secured his third crown last month in a tense final round at Donington Park.

It’s a step into the unknown for Fulbrook, who has never driven the German Grand Prix circuit before and whose pre-event practice will be limited to 45 minutes of familiarisation. “It’s all going to be a very new experience for me,” said Joe, “although I have an idea of what to expect because I went along with Aaron Mason last year to Hockenheim to see him race. The track looks great and the Scirocco will be very different to what I am used to, but I’ll give it my best shot and we’ll see what happens. I’m out for an enjoyable weekend and a good experience and hopefully that’s what I’ll get.”

Joe’s target is to beat the 14th-place finish scored in 2013 by Mason, and Aaron – Joe’s team-mate in the Warranty Direct/AWM squad – will be on hand in Germany to offer advice. Their colleague Josh Caygill, who has undertaken the full season of Scirocco R Cup events, will be tackling the Hockenheim finale also.

The Cup Scirocco is billed as the most eco-friendly racing car in the world: its 2.0-litre TSI engine is powered by natural gas, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent in comparison with conventional fuels. For racing use, the Volkswagen technicians have optimised the TSI engine to run on compressed natural gas. The result is 235 bhp and an impressive 275 Nm of torque.

One particular highlight is the innovative push-to-pass system: at the touch of a button, the drivers can briefly increase the charging pressure and release an extra 50 horsepower, resulting in thrilling overtaking manoeuvres and uncompromising wheel-on-wheel duels.

The Scirocco R Cup is a supporting event to the massively popular German touring car championship, the DTM.

Joe Fulbrook
Joe Fulbrook. Click to open hi-resolution version