VW Cup: Castle Combe’s Temple of Speed Awaits the Volkswagen’s

This weekend see the Maximum Networks Volkswagen Racing Cup return to the track, with rounds three and four taking place at Castle Combe Circuit on Bank Holiday Monday (31^st May). For the first time the event will produced live by Motorsport Media, who will broadcast it live on the championships YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as IsItFast?, Motorsport.TV and here on Motorsport Radio.

With only two hard breaking points, the 1.85-mile track has a legacy of extremely close racing and bumper-to-bumper slipstreaming. But with very little room for error due to ‘compact’ run-off areas, the circuit represents a true challenge for drivers, whatever their level of experience.

Last on the VW Cup calendar in 2005, the Wiltshire venue has been overdue a visit by one of the country’s longest running and prestigious single-make saloon car championships, now in its 21^st season.

Leading the championship after the first two rounds at Silverstone is Jack Depper. Having won three races on the bounce at the end of last year, including the Tom Walker Memorial Trophy, he continued his successful form, leading unchallenged from start-to-finish in round one, his progression made easier after key rival and polesitter Olly Turner experienced drive shaft failure on the grid.

Driving his JM Racing VW Golf, Turner would claim his revenge in round two, going head-to-head with Depper’s Maximum Motorsport supported Scirocco, as the two traded paintwork throughout the race. The round one winner would again cross the line first, but only after pushing Turner out of the way on the penultimate lap, resulting in a time penalty that relegated him to second. The outcome means both drivers head into this weekend with a win apiece and a determination to score a second and thereby establish an advantage in the standings.

As they do in Goodyear Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK, which is incorporated into the VW Cup and runs on the same gird, PowerMaxed Racing will run multiple entries, the team fielding a pair of Volkswagen Golf’s. Russell Joyce will again be chasing a podium finsh after recording a personal best second place weekend at Silverstone. A stalwart of the series, Joyce will be joined by PMR Golf teammate Chris Wallis, who quickly found his feet first time out in the VW Cup at Silverstone and intends to continue his champoinship learning curve this weekend.

Also supported by Maximum Motorsport is VW Cup regular Jeff Alden. After posting a pair of third places at Silverstone in his Golf, his strong performance sees him just five points behind the championship leader. Potential title contenders, Alden and Joyce will be expected to be locked in battle this weekend and be ready to take advantage should Depper or Turner faulter.

“It’s great to be back at Castle Combe for the first time in the modern-era of the VW Racing Cup. Now, 16 years on, I hope our drivers will enjoy the experience and especially as spectators will be allowed to attend for the first time this year, I hope they’ll enjoy the return of the Championship too!”

Stewart Lines, Championship Owner

Cars will venture onto the track at 8.30 for Free Practice, followed by Qualifying at 10.10. The first 20-minute race gets the green light at 14.00 with the second at 17.10. All of the action, together with driver interviews and exclusive behind the scenes insights, will be live streamed on the Volkswagen Racing Cup Facebook page and You Tube channel.