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With production-based and, at the same
time, innovative technology mastered the world’s hardest circuit race:
In front of 220,000 spectators Volkswagen clinched a one-two-three
podium lockout in the class for cars with alternative power in the
24-hour race at the Nürburgring. With an excellent 16th place overall
Vanina Ickx (Belgium), factory driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar), Dieter
Depping (Germany) and Klaus Niedzwiedz (Germany) celebrated class
victory in front of the two sister cars. The three Bio Natural Gas
powered sport coupés completed the race, dominated by many retirements,
with their customary reliability. Volkswagen fields the Scirocco in the
marathon since 2008 – without a single mechanically related retirement.
Green through the “green
hell”: 100 per cent reliability with 80 per cent less CO2
Thanks to its class victory with the
powerful 330 hp Scirocco GT24-CNG with its green heart Volkswagen also
celebrated winning the FIA Alternative Energy Cup, which was awarded for
the first time after the motorsport marathon in the Eifel. In 2009
Volkswagen took a one-two in the class for cars with alternative power.
For the first time in 2010 in the “green hell” the Wolfsburg based
automobile brand used combustion engines powered by Bio Natural Gas,
which allow up to an 80 per cent overall reduction of CO2
emissions. Bio Natural Gas is extracted from biomass as well as
regenerative raw materials and is climate neutral in its manufacture.
Production based technology
proves itself in the greatest circuit racing challenge
Volkswagen relies on production-based
technology for many of the vehicle components used during the 24-hour
race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Among other components, the
popular six-speed double clutch gearbox DSG as well as the unchanged
electro-mechanical steering, which perform thier duties day for day in
the many street cars produced by the Volkswagen Group. The three teams
could rely on the excellent reliability of thier Volkswagen down to the
last metre in the world’s toughest circuit race.
Scirocco GT24-CNG fastest
front-wheel drive car
It was not only the reliability of the
Volkswagen Scirocco GT24-CNG that was a benefit – also its speed. The
sports coupé powered by a two-litre turbo engine also completed the
fastest race lap for a front-wheel drive car with a time of 9m 04.710s –
the record time was set by Nicki Thiim in the “Junior” car. However, the
team Jimmy Johansson (Sweden), Peter Terting (Kempten), Florian Gruber (Aham),
Nicki Thiim (Denmark) were prevented from claiming a better overall
result due to a bout of bad luck: After being an innocent victim in an
accident the Scirocco’s rear axle had to be changed and the wheel
alignment re-set, two damaged driveshafts cost additional valuable time.
With the consistency of a clock the team of Ickx/Al
Attiyah/Niedzwiedz/Depping jumped into
the breach in the fight for an excellent position that ended with 16th
position from approximately 200 starters – and ahead of many
considerably more powerful sportscars as a result. The Juniors reached
the finish in 51st place overall. The Scirocco driven by Dr. Ulrich
Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen with
responsibility for Technical Development, the Head of Volkswagen
Suspension Development Prof. Dr. Stefan Gies and also the journalists
Bernd Ostmann (Stuttgart) and Peter Wyss (Switzerland) took 72nd
position.
Kris Nissen, Volkswagen
Motorsport Director
“Three years with the Scirocco, three class victories in succession.
Volkswagen has once again proven its reliability and efficiency. I’m
incredibly proud and happy for the entire team, especially as the
24-hour race was such a huge challenge this year. We won the class with
Bio Natural Gas, which is the most environmentally friendly fuel, and
taken good positions in the overall classification. We also showed what
distinguishes the Scirocco: to be solid, fast and sporty.”
#116 – Scirocco GT24-CNG
– silver branding – 3rd place Class AT
Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg (D): “To finish
this tough race in the top 20 positions with all three Scirocco is a
great success. Mobility with regenerative fuel is winning increasingly
on importance and it was the correct decision to compete with Bio
Natural Gas as alternative power. In addition, we gave a great show and
won the hearts of many people. A great compliment to our team: You feel
that the team gelled during the ‘Dakar’ events and sets about its work
in a concentrated manner whatever the situation.”
#117 – Scirocco GT24-CNG
– red branding – 1st place Class AT
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Q): “The 24-hour race
was a completely new challenge for me and I’m happy to have been a part
of this fantastic team. The result is also perfect, although with a
little more luck we could have been even better. However, this is also a
part of this fantastic race and I hope to be able to return in 2011 with
Volkswagen. It was a little too cold for me – but it was quite simply a
fantastic experience.”
#118 – Scirocco GT24-CNG
– yellow branding – 2nd place Class AT
Jimmy Johansson (S): “After three
successful years with three class victories in succession our Junior
Team had a difficult 24-hour race with some bad luck. This shows that in
addition to a fantastic team you also need some luck during such a tough
race. Nevertheless, we demonstrated the potential of the Scirocco
GT24-CNG after posting the fastest lap for a front-wheel drive. More
specifically though, that sporting dynamic and environmental awareness
go hand-in-hand perfectly with one another.” |
