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Double four-way fight in the Polo Cup: nail-biting suspense up to the chequered flag
08.10.2007 |
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Double finale: The two title decisions in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup will be made in the tenth and ultimate race of the season this weekend (13/14 October) at Hockenheim.
The spotlight will be on the duel between Cup leader Constantin Dressler from Göttingen and his closest rival, the Norwegian Stian Paulsen. Both of them have the chance of clinching the title by winning the race, and thus based on their own ability. Lying in wait are the Bavarian Andreas Pfister (Obersfeld) and Andreas Simonsen from Sweden. Both of them could technically win the Championship on account of their current points score as well, but they would have to benefit from a weak result of the two front runners. In the rookie classification the competition remains thrilling all the way to the end too: In addition to front runner Darius Röhling (Wiesbaden), Stefan Kolb (Karlsruhe), Elia Erhart (Röttenbach) and Bastian Graber (Niddatal) have chances of winning the Rookie title that is just as fiercely contested.
"A captivating finale is the icing on the cake of a great Polo Cup season. The talented youngsters, however, are being put to a tough test in such a race: Only the driver who shows a perfect performance under great pressure will ultimately be able to hold the Champion's Cup in his hands,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.
The situation before the crucial race is clear: "There will be no tactical squabbling. The title belongs to whoever of the two of us that finishes in front on Sunday," says Constantin Dressler, not beating about the bush at all. The driver from Göttingen has been leading the standings since May, but his advantage has shrunk to eight points after Paulsen clinched victory twice in a row. "The stakes are high already in qualifying. If our positions on the grid are close, the race will be as hard as nails. I'm fit for the finale,” states the 18-year-old A-levels student. Stian Paulsen, as well, exudes self-confidence: "With a total of four victories I've got every reason to be satisfied with my season – but now I want to win the title," announces the 20-year-old Norwegian. "Hockenheim suits me well; I've always been among the front runners at this circuit so far. But it's also clear that the Polo Cup field includes a number of quick drivers, who all have the chance of winning. It won't be easy, neither for Constantin nor for myself."
Exchange programme: talent from Europe, Africa, Asia to contest the finale
Additional diversity in the 29-strong field will be provided by four guest entrants, who are part of Volkswagen's international exchange programme: Jiajun Huang and Yu Xia will travel to the DTM's season's last weekend from China, Miguel Pasqualli and Gennaro Bonefede normally contest the South African Polo Cup. This means that contenders from three continents will be racing this weekend. The exchange programme for junior racers links the Volkswagen racing series around the globe; partnerships exist between China, Denmark, Germany, Japan and South Africa.
ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup: the "touring car school”
The ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup ranks among the most popular one-make cup series and, what is more, as a "touring car school” enjoys the reputation of providing an ideal stepping stone for professional racing. The racing series, which made its debut in 1998 – then using the VW Lupo – is based on a unique set of regulations offering maximum equality of opportunity at reasonable costs for all participants. Participants are aged 16 to 24 and have to qualify for the Polo Cup via an evaluation and qualification training seminar. Talent instead of money determines participation and success. The youngsters' championship is contested with Polo cars featuring identical technology. They are powered by a 150-hp FSI four-cylinder engine – derived from the production version – with 2.0 litres of displacement. The cars are swapped among the drivers. In the 2007 season the Polo Cup encompasses ten races at eight DTM weekends.
Points score, drivers' standings after nine of ten races
1. Constantin Dressler (Göttingen), 349 points; 2. Stian Paulsen (Norway), 341; 3. Andreas Pfister (Obersfeld), 305; 4. Andreas Simonsen (Sweden), 301; 5. Shane Williams (South Africa), 207; 6. Niclas Olsson (Sweden), 190; 7. Alexander Rambow (Zehdenick), 182; 8. Sebastian Voges (Beckum), 180; 9. Nico Bastian (Hemsbach), 164; 10. Marleen Seilheimer (Mettenheim), 160; 11. Darius Röhling (Wiesbaden), 141; 12. Laurent Calkoen (South Africa), 140; 13. Bastian Graber (Niddatal), 138; 14. Elia Erhart (Röttenbach), 125; 15. Stefan Kolb (Karlsruhe), 107; 16. Felipe Fernández Laser (Uelzen), 90; 17. Jaro Bapp (Friolzheim), 86; 18. Heiko Gerth (Niedernwöhren), 73; 19. Malte Sandmeyer (Oberndorf), 72; 20. Michael Schöch (Austria), 66; 21. Julian Nager (Langenbach), 53; 22. Tim Kuhlmann (Mülheim/Ruhr) and Thomas Kern (Füssen), 50 each; 24. Markus Kern (Füssen), 48.
Points score, rookies' standings after nine of ten races
1. Darius Röhling, 314 points; 2. Stefan Kolb, 296; 3. Elia Erhart, 288; 4. Bastian Graber, 274; 5. Jaro Bapp, 240; 6. Heiko Gerth, 214; 7. Felipe Fernández Laser, 206; 8. Malte Sandmeyer, 195; 7. Thomas Kern, 191; 10. Markus Kern, 163; 11. Julian Nager, 160; 12. Tim Kuhlmann, 118.
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