Roc-ing around Sepang

With its sticky semi-slick rubber, upgraded suspension and blaring race exhaust that burps with every up shift, the Scirocco Cup car feels every bit like a bonafide road car despite its standard road spec TSI motor. The 130kg weight reduction obviously helps in off the line acceleration as well as making the car feel more nimble and agile to switch directions quickly. The rock hard suspension means there's hardly any form of body movements in the bends but you still have to treat it with respect though - braking hard from high speed will take the car's weight all the way to the front, making the rear featherlight and skittish, hence the need for very gentle and intricate inputs from the driver's part to keep the car pointing in the right direction.

Sounds fun and you want to have a go at racing in this entry level one make race series then? Here's what you will need - participating drivers must have an authorisation letter and a valid international competition licence issued by his local FIA affiliated ASN (National Sporting Association. In Singapore's case, it's the SMSA). Like any other international racing series, he driver also has to pass a medical examination. When it comes to the car, you do not need to purchase one at the start of the season to compete, unlike in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. You actually ‘buy' a drive for this series. The cars are all standard spec Scirocco Sport models with the 200bhp turbocharged TSI engine from the road car unmodified. The airbox, ECU and engine internals are stock with only a racing exhaust system the only change.

Obviously, money is what you need, since you ‘buy' a drive in this series. Compared to the Carrera Cup Asia, it costs just peanuts to race in a year of Scirocco Cup China. According to Ringo, it'll set you back about 35,000 Euros to compete in a season of Scirocco Cup China. Fork out this amount and Volkswagen China will professionally organize everything at the races for you, in true ‘arrive and drive' style. The only costs that you might incur are travel and other personal costs as well as spares for the inevitable shunts. Volkswagen says that the car's mechanicals only need overhauling once every three seasons - very low maintenance indeed for a track ready race car. In comparison, you need to buy the car, tyres and fuel among other costs for Carrera Cup Asia. Sponsorship spaces for drivers to sell are available on some parts of the car as well as on the driver's overalls. Ringo Chong, "I don't think the Scirocco Cup would be running at this prices for next year as it's really highly subsidized by VW China."

Currently, Scirocco Cup series are not only being run in China but in Britain and Germany as well. With Volkswagen now one of the top selling brands in Singapore as well as other Southeast Asian markets, it might be apt that there'll be a Scirocco Cup Asia next year. "If it comes to Asia, I am sure it will bring up many more racing drivers to another level!" enthuses Ringo. With the Changi Motorsport Hub up and running by the end of 2011, it could be a good time for Volkswagen to get involved in nurturing Asian as well as local drivers to choose motor racing as a career.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Raymond Lai and Volkswagen