wikedgolf
08-23-2004, 05:27 PM
VW Racing Cup set for quickest meeting of season.
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The Volkswagen Racing Cup is set for its fastest meeting of the season at Thruxton over the Bank Holiday weekend as the battle for championship continues to hot up.
Although several drivers head into the weekend with a mathematical shot at claiming title honours, it's shaping up to be a two-way duel to the wire between reigning title-holder Rob Carvell in his nimble Scirocco GTI and the powerful Beetle RSi of Philip House.
Carvell has won three rounds - two at Donington in April and at Oulton Park last month - House has racked up two victories, at Croft and also at Oulton. Thirty-two points separates title favourite Rob from his pursuer.
House, whose Ripley Caravan Park-backed Beetle has just undergone a ground-up rebuild, is relishing the Thruxton challenge.
"It's a very, very fast circuit and it should suit my car's gearing perfectly,†he said. “Thruxton is all about driver bravery, and I firmly intend to close my eyes and go for it.
"When I started the season I was not expecting to be so competitive; I was aiming to be in the top 10 but not in a position to challenge for the title. Now that I am I have to give it my best, but it will be a tall order to overhaul Rob."
Carvell has an outside chance of wrapping up his title double this weekend, but that would depend on House and his other close challengers failing to score, while Rob would need to win both races. More likely is that the championship won't be settled until October's Brands Hatch races.
Thruxton should suit Carvell's Scirocco down to the ground, but it will also certainly favour Ken Lark's Corrado VR6, a winner three times already this year. The 2001 champion, Michael Neuhoff, is another contender for Thruxton victory after a double podium at Oulton Park in his Corrado.
Neuhoff was the double winner at Thruxton in 2002, when he made UK motorsport history at the wheel of the Golf TDI now handled by Canadian Mark Thomas.
Championship third-place man Craig Inskip has been knocking on the door of victory all season with his Golf turbo, while the similarly powered Bora of Mark Smith should also be a frontrunner.
Alex Dziurzynski will be hoping for good things on what passes for his home circuit in the Mk II Golf GTI as will Martyn Culley, currently ninth overall in his Vento VR6, and his father Barrie.
Other cars certain to figure include the new Caddy van, handled by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Peter Wyhinny; the new Polo TDI of Paul Lloyd-Roach and Golfs of every vintage, including Claire Tippet's venerable Mk I GTI and a large selection of Beetles, including the Europcar-backed car driven by TV motor journalist Jason Barlow.
Championship standings:
1. Rob Carvell Scirocco 164 points
2. Philip House Beetle 132
3. Craig Inskip Golf 102
4. Ken Lark Corrado 100
5. Mark Smith Bora 84
6. Ray MacDowall Beetle 58
7. Alex Dziurzynski Golf 54
8. Steve Walker Golf 52
9=. Grant Woodhatch Vento 48
9=. Martyn Culley Vento 48
http://crash.net/pictures/headline/79423.jpg
http://www.crash.net/pictures/view/79424.jpg
The Volkswagen Racing Cup is set for its fastest meeting of the season at Thruxton over the Bank Holiday weekend as the battle for championship continues to hot up.
Although several drivers head into the weekend with a mathematical shot at claiming title honours, it's shaping up to be a two-way duel to the wire between reigning title-holder Rob Carvell in his nimble Scirocco GTI and the powerful Beetle RSi of Philip House.
Carvell has won three rounds - two at Donington in April and at Oulton Park last month - House has racked up two victories, at Croft and also at Oulton. Thirty-two points separates title favourite Rob from his pursuer.
House, whose Ripley Caravan Park-backed Beetle has just undergone a ground-up rebuild, is relishing the Thruxton challenge.
"It's a very, very fast circuit and it should suit my car's gearing perfectly,†he said. “Thruxton is all about driver bravery, and I firmly intend to close my eyes and go for it.
"When I started the season I was not expecting to be so competitive; I was aiming to be in the top 10 but not in a position to challenge for the title. Now that I am I have to give it my best, but it will be a tall order to overhaul Rob."
Carvell has an outside chance of wrapping up his title double this weekend, but that would depend on House and his other close challengers failing to score, while Rob would need to win both races. More likely is that the championship won't be settled until October's Brands Hatch races.
Thruxton should suit Carvell's Scirocco down to the ground, but it will also certainly favour Ken Lark's Corrado VR6, a winner three times already this year. The 2001 champion, Michael Neuhoff, is another contender for Thruxton victory after a double podium at Oulton Park in his Corrado.
Neuhoff was the double winner at Thruxton in 2002, when he made UK motorsport history at the wheel of the Golf TDI now handled by Canadian Mark Thomas.
Championship third-place man Craig Inskip has been knocking on the door of victory all season with his Golf turbo, while the similarly powered Bora of Mark Smith should also be a frontrunner.
Alex Dziurzynski will be hoping for good things on what passes for his home circuit in the Mk II Golf GTI as will Martyn Culley, currently ninth overall in his Vento VR6, and his father Barrie.
Other cars certain to figure include the new Caddy van, handled by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Peter Wyhinny; the new Polo TDI of Paul Lloyd-Roach and Golfs of every vintage, including Claire Tippet's venerable Mk I GTI and a large selection of Beetles, including the Europcar-backed car driven by TV motor journalist Jason Barlow.
Championship standings:
1. Rob Carvell Scirocco 164 points
2. Philip House Beetle 132
3. Craig Inskip Golf 102
4. Ken Lark Corrado 100
5. Mark Smith Bora 84
6. Ray MacDowall Beetle 58
7. Alex Dziurzynski Golf 54
8. Steve Walker Golf 52
9=. Grant Woodhatch Vento 48
9=. Martyn Culley Vento 48