Pictured: David Fairbrother. Click to open hi-resolution version

NEWS RELEASE: 10 APRIL 2014

NEW SLIDESPORTS SCIROCCO FOR CUP RACER FAIRBROTHER

David Fairbrother is to return to the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup this season at the wheel of an all-new car. A DSG semi-automatic Scirocco has been built for him by race-winning team SlideSports; it will carry the distinctive livery of Pall-Ex, the award-winning palletised freight network founded by TV entrepreneur Hilary Devey.

Halifax-based David has opted for a new car after a frustrating season in 2013 with his original Scirocco. “I had the speed, as I showed in qualifying at Silverstone,” said Fairbrother, “but it just seemed like every time I was getting going I’d either spin off or I'd go into the barriers. I spun so many times I can’t remember how many… It wasn’t the best of years and I was very disappointed with things.

“I am hoping that the new car will make the difference – it is to the same specification as the one that Ross Wylie won with three times in 2013, complete with DSG gearbox, which I like very much. I am hoping that the semi-auto ’box will help my starts.

“I have tested the Scirocco already and it feels completely different to my car of last year – there’s a whole new braking configuration and it feels amazing.”

Fairbrother made his car-racing debut in 2012 in the VW Cup after several years competing on two wheels and then moving into race team management; he finished the 2013 season 17th overall. In addition to Pall-Ex, he is supported by Doodson Broking Group, ADD Express LTD, north-west MAN truck dealership Steadplan and by CN Trading.

Fairbrother joins young up-and-comer David Sutton and racing novice James Pile in the SlideSports squad; Sutton will race a Scirocco and Pile a Mk VI Golf GTI.

“David collected all the bad luck going last year,” said SlideSports boss Mark Jenkins, “and that affected his confidence towards the end of the year. Hopefully the new car will restore that confidence and we will start to see him recording the results of which he is more than capable.”

The opening rounds of the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup are on Easter Monday (21 April) at the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire, alongside the British GT Championship.