Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2014 season kicks off with Drivers’ Selection at Kari Motor Speedway

– Out of hundreds of enquiries, 23 drivers were shortlisted for final Drivers’
Selection round that was held in Coimbatore.
– 12 new drivers selected through this programme for the 2014 Polo R Cup season.

Pune/Coimbatore, March 08, 2014: The chronicles of the fifth season Volkswagen Polo R
Cup kick–started with participation from several aspiring drivers nationwide. During the
two–day comprehensive selection programme organized by Volkswagen Motorsport
India, drivers were put through rigorous tests. Based on this, 12 drivers were chosen
who would soon join the previous season’s drivers to battle for the top honours in the
Polo R Cup 2014 season.

The Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2014 season commenced with a two–day Drivers’ Selection round
held at Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore on March 05th
& 06th, 2014. Through hundreds of
enquiries received, 23 participants were shortlisted for the two–day programme that had all the
necessary elements for gauging the performance of the participants.

Day 1: First impressions of circuit driving
The participants were given a brief introduction of race cars with respect to the modifications
done to the car for performance as well as safety along with familiarization of controls. The
participants were then put into the cars for braking and slalom exercises where their basic
control on car and responsiveness were judged. Following these, exercises were driving
sessions around the full circuit under the guidance of Polo R Cup driver coach and multi –
National Karting Champion, Rayomand Banajee. After getting enough information on racing
lines, braking markers and other essential aspects of track driving, the participants were sent
out for two timed sessions. At the end of the day, 16 out of 23 drivers were selected for the next
day based on not only their lap times but also their consistency, racing lines, ability to tackle
corners with technique and driving smoothness.

Day 2: Improving techniques added by fitness test
The selected 16 drivers were put through four more driving sessions on the second day where
they were yet again judged on various aspects. The most important criteria for selecting the
final 12 was the willingness and readiness of the drivers to grasp and implement what the
coaches had been teaching in addition to the criteria that were implemented the earlier day. All
the participants were judged on various attributes like braking techniques, acceleration, racing
lines, aggression and fitness abilities. The lap times were also given consideration in the final
selection process. At the end of the second day, all the drivers were put through a fitness test
which included muscle–strength exercises, cardio exercises and running. This was the final
factor counting in for the selection.

Commenting on the occasion of Polo R Cup 2014 Driver Selection, Sirish Vissa, Head of
Volkswagen Motorsports India, added, “This year we are going further in depth with driver
development. Through the Drivers’ selection programme , we have handpicked the ones who have not only shown good pace in driving around a circuit, but also showcased hunger to learn
what the driver coach had been teaching. Along with that, we will also be focusing deeper on
physical and mental fitness of the drivers throughout the season.”

The selected 12 drivers from the Drivers’ Selection Round for Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2014:

 


Motor sports enthusiasts interested in getting further information can log on to the website,
www.polocup.in. This website displays information about Polo R Cup format, race updates and
driver profiles.