After the successful racing debut of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup at Hockenheim the series which thanks to bio natural gas power is the world’s most eco-conscious one-make cup starts to its second round at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on 4 and 5 June. The same weekend will see numerous Volkswagen Formula 3 drivers contest the traditional Masters at Zandvoort (NL), the junior category’s most important race in Europe.
The Scirocco R-Cup promises suspense galore for the EuroSpeedway –thanks to its colourful mix of 25 entrants on the one hand and innovative push-to-pass system on the other. Push-to-pass enables drivers to boost the charge pressure of the turbocharged Scirocco engine for ten seconds by pushing a button on the steering wheel and to increase the engine’s power output from 165 kW (225 hp) to 37 kW (50 hp).
“It was fun to see how the drivers made tactical use of the push-to-pass system in different ways at the Hockenheim season opener,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “The system can be used to assist in performing overtaking manoeuvres or to help to prevent them. As a result of this function, spectators at the venue and TV viewers watching Sport1 enjoy spectacular motorsport with captivating manoeuvres. Displays in the rear side windows enable the audience to keep track of how often a driver has used the push-to-pass button.”
Scirocco R-Cup participants are convinced of push-to-pass system
The drivers, as well, are thrilled with the push-to-pass function which is unique in worldwide touring car sport. “It’s a great idea,” says Maciek Steinhof (Poland), who won the Scirocco R-Cup season opener and will therefore arrive at the EuroSpeedway as the leader of the standings. “Tactics play a much bigger role in the races now. And that makes things even more interesting for us as drivers but for the spectators too.” Kris Heidorn from Wunstorf, the overall runner-up and rookie winner at Hockenheim, adds: “You’ve got to carefully consider when to activate the system. You should neither use up this function too early nor use it too late because in that case you’ll run out of laps on which you can use the system. In any event, as a driver, you clearly notice the additional output of 50 hp. The push-to-pass system is really a great invention.” The number of times the drivers are allowed to use the power boost in practice sessions and race is determined before each race weekend and depends on the track length, track characteristics and number of laps. Tests at the EuroSpeedway showed that ten activations of ten seconds each and a break of at least 20 seconds in between provide plenty of room for tactics and additional overtaking manoeuvres.
Timetable, EuroSpeedway Lausitz
Friday, 04 June 2010
13.15–13.45 Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, Free practice (30 min)
Saturday, 05 June 2010
11.15–11.45 Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, Qualifying (30 min)
16.10–16.40 Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup, Race (15 laps = 52.170 km)
Sunday, 06 June 2010
13.40–14.00 Formula 3 Masters Zandvoort, Grid formation
14.00–15.00 Formula 3 Masters Zandvoort, Race (25 laps = 86.95 km)
TV schedule, EuroSpeedway
Saturday, 05 June 2010
21.15–22.00 Sport1, Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup Race
Sunday, 06 June 2010
21.30–22.30 Sport1, DTM-Magazin with Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup
Sunday, 13 June 2010
11.35–12.35 DMAX, DTM-Magazin with Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup
Good question. I can see it being useful in some situations.
The R-Cup is one nice looking car. I wonder if the push-to-pass system will ever be used for the production models of the car.