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NEWS RELEASE: 28 MARCH 2014

GRID FULL: VW CUP HAS 34 ENTRIES FOR SEASON OPENERS

With three weeks in hand before the Oulton Park opening rounds of the 2014 season, the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup has declared a full grid. Thirty-four cars are permitted to race on the Cheshire circuit, and championship promoter Volkswagen Racing UK received its 34th confirmed entry today.

“A grid of 34 will be a record for the VW Cup,” said championship manager Matt Walker, “and to have arrived at that number with three weeks to go is a remarkable achievement which underlines the support and faith that competitors have in the series. It is a great way to welcome our new title sponsor Milltek Sport to the championship and it bodes well for a great season of racing ahead.

“Thirty-four is the limit for racing at Oulton, but more than that number may take part in qualifying, so we are still able to accept reserve entries if there are any other drivers out there looking to take part.”

There are nine drivers completely new to the championship within the Oulton entry, including former BTCC racers Matt Hamilton and Harry Vaulkhard, and four returning champions in the shape of Philip House, Joe Fulbrook, James Walker and reigning title holder Aaron Mason.

The Oulton field will be split almost exactly 50/50 between the Scirocco R and Golf GTI, with 16 entries for the former and 17 for the latter, with a sole Beetle for championship stalwart Andrew Smith.

One of the last to confirm his entry for Oulton Park is former BTCC racer Nick Beaumont. He will pilot the ex-Chris Levett JWB Scirocco with which he scored a race victory last year at Brands Hatch, with backing from GBS Aviation Group.

“I’m really pleased to be racing again at Oulton,” said Nick, “and hopefully beyond. We have the budget to get us well past the first weekend, so I might end up having a bit of a go for the championship. Hopefully I stand a pretty fair chance at Oulton, having worked there for many years. The VW Cup field is looking really excellent this season and very competitive, and that is testament to all the hard work that has been put in over the years by Volkswagen Racing UK.”

Both Oulton Park races are scheduled for Easter Monday (21 Apr); they will be the first of 14 scheduled rounds staged as a support to the British GT Championship at all of England’s top tracks as well as the Belgian Grand Prix circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.