Media Release: Legendary Brabham Name Returns To Race In Germany For Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup
London, UK – Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Sportscar legend David Brabham will make his race debut in the Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup, on September 17-19, as the innovative one-make championship takes in double-header rounds at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, Germany.
The reigning American Le Mans Series LMP1 champion and 2009 outright winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will join the series, billed as the world’s most eco-conscious one-make cup, for the penultimate rounds of the season. Each Volkswagen Scirocco R is fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI engine running on bio-CNG, which reduces CO2 emissions by 80 per cent compared with conventional engines. This unit develops a peak of 225 hp and 203 lbs ft of torque and, to ensure close racing, a push-to-pass system is also available providing the drivers with a short 50 hp rise in power. The Scirocco R’s green credentials are a perfect fit for Brabham, who is considered the founder of the American Le Mans Series’ green movement and is a Green Racing Ambassador for the Green Dream Team. His letter to Series Founder Don Panoz and President/CEO Scott Atherton in 2004, suggesting the ALMS seriously consider the strategy of alternative fuels, helped establish the Michelin Green X Challenge. In addition to the regular competitors, Brabham will race at Oschersleben alongside fellow motorsport legend, and his Le Mans 24 Hours Highcroft Racing teammate, Marco Werner, Frank Biela and guest entrant Lucy – one of Germany’s most successful female musicians from the group ‘No Angels’. Brabham currently leads the LMP title battle in the American Le Mans Series for Patrón Highcroft Racing by 16 points. He heads to the Börde plains around Magdeburg just one week before mounting his final 2010 championship challenge in pursuit of back-to-back titles in the 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic - Petit Le Mans on October 2. It’s been a busy month away from his usual Highcroft driving duties. Brabham travels to Germany fresh from a promising Australian V8 supercar debut at Phillip Island with IRWIN Racing last weekend. “It’s a pleasure to return to racing with Volkswagen,” said Brabham. “Our relationship goes back to 1989 when I won the British F3 Championship and the Macau Grand Prix. “It’s also really nice to be heading back to race in Germany - I still have fond memories of my 2000 win at the Nürburgring 1000km with Panoz. In fact, Germany has a special importance to the Brabham family. “My legendary father, triple Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham, raced F1 and sportscars in Germany across three decades and took numerous German Grand Prix wins particularly throughout the 1960s. So, it’s great to be bringing the Brabham name to Germany once again and also to race against my 2010 Le Mans teammate, Marco. “The eco credentials of the Volkswagen Scirocco R are truly impressive. As a Green Racing Ambassador, it’s something that means a lot to me. It’s certainly an area the motorsport community needs to focus on and Volkswagen has been setting the standard. “The great thing about this stage in my career is being offered such wonderful opportunities to race in high profile events across the world. I’ve just come back from a four-week trip and touring car race in Australia. Although driving the front-wheel drive Scirocco will be a new experience for me, I am very much looking forward to driving a car with such impressive green technology in a series that boasts really close racing.” Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, commented: “We’re very happy to have David Brabham as a legend driver here in Oschersleben and I’m confident he will do a great job. The legends have been delivering extremely thrilling and spectacular races this year. And many renowned racers realise that the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup is great fun - not only in the race but in the team with the drivers of the other classifications off the track as well.” Brabham will take the wheel of the Scirocco R for the first time in the 30-minute free practice session at Oschersleben on Friday, September 17, at 2.25pm (local time). Qualifying at 12.10pm on Saturday precedes the first 14-lap race, covering 51.744km, at 5.10pm. Race two takes place on Sunday, September 19, at 4.15pm. For the full event schedule and the latest news from the Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup visit http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.com -Ends- Please click on the thumbnails below to download the images. For further information on David Brabham, including his career history and biography, visit www.davidbrabham.com Media Contact Emma Spearing, Hazel PR: Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828 E-mail: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com
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