TCR: Winning debut for the new Volkswagen Golf with Pol Rosell in Red Bull Ring

Volkswagen Press Release

First appearance, first win: The new Volkswagen Golf for the racetrack made its debut in the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) and promptly claimed its first victory. The Golf run by cooperation partner Liqui Moly Team Engstler triumphed at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Spain’s Pol Rosell won race two, finishing ahead of his compatriots Pepe Oriola (Seat) and Jordi Gené (Seat). Starting from pole position, Rosell defended his lead until the chequered flag at the 4.318-kilometre Grand Prix circuit. Mikhail Grachev (RUS) came sixth in the second Golf.

Rosell finished ninth and Grachev seventh in race one. Victory went to Switzerland’s Stefano Comini (Seat). The racing version in action in Austria is the first such model based on the seventh generation of Volkswagen Golf. The production-based, 330-hp concept car is assembled in accordance with TCR Regulations and is intended to allow Volkswagen to evaluate a possible customer racing programme as of the 2016 season. In order to accelerate the development process, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions in the TCR between now and the end of the season. The next races will take place in Singapore from 19 to 20 September, when they will share the bill with the Formula One World Championship.

Photo credit: Volkswagen Motorsport

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TCR: Volkswagen Motorsport unveiled the new Golf TCR racer

Volkswagen Press Release

A new powerhouse for the racetrack: Volkswagen Motorsport is developing its first racing car based on the seventh generation Golf. The production-based, 330-hp concept car is assembled in accordance with TCR regulations and is intended to help Volkswagen evaluate a potential customer racing programme from the 2016 season onwards. In order to accelerate the development of the car, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions between now and the end of the season: as cooperation partner, the Liqui Moly Team Engstler will run two cars at the eighth round of the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.

“The newly created TCR category provides a promising platform for customer racing – on a national and international level. With exciting races, production-based technology and reasonable costs, it offers a new outlook for private racing teams,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “When developing the Golf-based concept car, we are able to fall back on the resources at Volkswagen. This reduces both development time and costs. We will also use the rest of the season to test the car under competitive conditions and evaluate a possible customer racing project from 2016.”

Dynamic appearance: new Golf epitomises racing genes

Visually, the racing genes are clear to see on the Golf developed by Volkswagen Motorsport: 18-inch racing rims, a chassis roughly 40 centimetres wider than that of the production Golf, and a striking rear wing give the Golf a “ready-to-race” look and first-class handling. An aerodynamically designed front splitter and carbon rear wing are also among the modifications for the racetrack. Among the components designed to protect the driver are a racing seat with head protectors, a racing safety cell, and a safety tank in accordance with FIA regulations.

A powerful four-cylinder engine, DSG gearbox with shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel, a consistently developed racing chassis – even under the bonnet, the new Golf has been meticulously prepared for its outings at the racetrack. Volkswagen Motorsport is developing the car in cooperation with the sport department at SEAT, meaning it can call on SEAT’s experience with the Leon Cup Racer. As with the Volkswagen Group’s production vehicles, the MQB platform also offers many synergies for racing cars and reduces the cost of assembling and running the touring car. The two-litre turbo engine with direct fuel injection comes from the top sporting model, the Golf R. The racing version of this engine generates 330 hp (243 kW) and 410 Nm of torque.

Photo credit: Volkswagen Motorsport

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Q/A: Interview with Nicki Thiim - Audi factory driver

By Tarek Ramchani

Nicki Thiim is having a busy 2015. An Audi factory driver in GT racing, he is competing in the demanding ADAC GT Masters with C.ABT Racing. The Danish driver is also racing in FIA World Endurance Championship with Aston Martin Racing.

We recently had a chat with Nicki Thiim about his 2015 racing season and more.

This year you're competing with C.ABT Racing in ADAC GT Masters, how competitive is the German GT series?

GT3 is more competitive then ever. You see, factories are building new cars now and they are all pushing a lot.

The German series is one of the most competitive with many brands represented. What is hard for a driver in GT3 racing is the BOP (Balance of Performance). If you don't sit in the right car at the right moment you can do nothing.

There is also the ABS, it belongs to road cars and not on racing cars. It's the worst thing they have ever done. But again the cars are build for everyone.

You recentley competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with the new Audi R8 LMS, tell us more about your race.

Nürburgring is by far the toughest 24h race there around. especially for the cars and the mental stress of a driver to go out there every stint and keep the focus. not easy! But it's just a brilliant track. And form me personally it was an honor to get to drive the new R8 Monster there.

How different is the new Audi R8 LMS compared to the ultra model?

We came - we saw - we won. best thing Audi could do with a brand the car. To drive the car gives you more a feeling of pure racecar. Just an epic machinery.

You had a very successful debut in TCR International Series in Portugal with the Audi TT, tell us more about your weekend at Portimao.

It was sad for me personally at the begining. I had a deal with Audi that I finally could drive against my dad in Denmark. Then on Wednesday late evening I got the call that I had to go to Portugal next morning (to drive the Audi TT).

But the (TCR International Series) race weekend turned out mega for me. Just a lot of fun driving Touring Cars again after six years without FWD. There were a lot of contacts with other cars. It's real Touring Car style and I enjoyed it a lot.

You're racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Aston Martin Racing (Young Driver AMR) in GTE-Pro, tell us more about the competition there.

FIA WEC GTE-Pro is for me the best in the buisness, 100% factory teams and with some of the best GT drivers in the world. And I can't say it again, it's a PURE racing car with NO ABS!

It shows more the skill of a driver then with the other driving school stuff. It's just a mega HIGH level. It's an honor for me to drive for two biggest factories (Audi and Aston Martin).

What is you favourite racing circuit?

Not from this earth: Nordschleife
Regular track: Mugello

What are your targets in the near future?

Since I opened my eyes I have watched the DTM and this is where I will go.

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TCR: Exemption ended for the Audi TT cars

TCR Press Release

WSC Ltd., the Promoter of the TCR International Series, has announced that the special exemption granted to the Liqui Moly Team Engstler to run two Audi TT cars in the first events of the season has now expired.

Marcello Lotti, WSC CEO explained: “The exemption was granted with the spirit to support our new series and also to allow Audi Sport customer racing to collect information about the necessary requirements for a successful technical platform, which could fit to the TCR regulations. In the light of the latest results, we believe that both these aims have been successfully achieved. Therefore, together with the team and Audi Sport customer racing we have decided to end this exemption; also in the respect of the other competitors that have accepted the situation with a true sporting spirit.”

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Nicki Thiim delighted with his Audi TT winning debut at Portimao

By Tarek Ramchani

Nicki Thiim had an amazing debut in the newly formed TCR International Series at Portimao. The Audi GT driver was behind the wheel of the new Audi TT and was simply the strongest man all weekend long in Portugal.

The Danish ace was the fastest in all the practice sessions, took a great pole position in qualifying and won race 1. Nicki Thiim was forced to retire in the second race with techincal issues hitting his Audi TT.

Nicki Thiim was delighted with his TCR International Series and Audi TT debut.

"It is just fantastic to come here and bring the confidence back into the team. For the whole weekend we have been the fastest and I am really happy to have done my job as well as I could."

"I had a lot of fun and it’s the most important thing. I think we have got a really good car for the next races. You can always do small things to improve it. Some things you can do off the track and I explained what my feelings are about what they can still adjust on the car."

"I think they will go home now and find some more things. I just want to say I had a lot of fun, especially in the second race that is touring cars as you like it. It was my mistake in race two – a silly one - but this is racing."

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Unlucky race 2 for Nicki Thiim and Kelvin van der Linde at Portimao

By Tarek Ramchani

A very unlucky TCR International Series race 2 for Audi drivers at Portimao. Nicki Thiim and Kelvin van der Linde did not finish the 16-lap race.

The Audi TT the car that dominated all the sessions and race 1 at the Portuguese track had a frustrating race 2 this afternoon.

It was an action packed race two with fierce battles on track for the win and top posts. The two Audi drivers started the race very well and were able to charge back through the field. The two Audi TTs were really fast and by lap nine, they were running in second with Kelvin van der Linde and third with race 1 winner Nicki Thiim.

Later drama started to hit the Audis. Nicki Thiim was the first to retire with his #3 Audi TT, the Danish driver hit a kerb too hard. A lap later it was Kelvin van der Linde turn to retire, his #9 Audi TT was stopped on track with technical issues.

Race 2 win went to Michel Nykjær behind the wheel of a SEAT Leon. Second place went to Kevin Gleason with a Honda Civic Type-R. The podium was completed by Jordi Gené driving a SEAT Leon.

Overall it was an amazing TCR racing weekend for the Audi drivers at Portimao. Nicki Thiim and Kelvin van der Linde proved that the Audi TT is a really fast car against its rivals from SEAT and Honda.

The TCR International Series will resume in two weeks time at Monza.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Nicki Thiim wins the opening race at Portimao with Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

Nicki Thiim made history today at Portimao. The Danish driver gave the Audi TT its first race victory in the newly formed TCR International Series.

The Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver started from pole position in race 1 and was in full control of the race. At the end of the 13-lap sprint event, Nicki Thiim crossed the finish line victorious, four seconds ahead of the second placed SEAT Leon of Jordi Gené. Third place went to another car from Liqui Moly Team Engstle with Lorenzo Veglia driving a SEAT Leon.

The second Audi TT driver Kelvin van der Linde had a solide race. The young South African driver narrowly missed the podium and took a strong fourth place overall first time out in the new touring car series.

Race 2 will follow next, another 13-lap event.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Nicki Thiim takes pole position with Audi TT at Portimao

By Tarek Ramchani

Nicki Thiim was flying today at Portimao with his Audi TT. The Danish driver took a storming pole position in his very first race weekend with the car in TCR International Series. This is first pole position for the Audi TT in the newly formed touring car series.

The Liqui Moly Team Engslter driver was unstoppable today. He lead the two practice session earlier today and was able to do the same in qualifying with his #3 Audi TT. Nicki Thiim set the fasest time of the session, 1:53.863.

Kelvin van der Linde who missed the two practice sessions this morning was able to take part in qualifying. The young Sourth African driver performed very well with his #9 Audi TT. The 2014 ADAC GT Masters champion qualified in a strong fifth place. He was behind three SEAT drivers with Jordi Gené second place Pepe Oriola third and Lorenzo Veglia fourth.

The two 16-lap TCR International Series races are set for Sunday.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Nicki Thiim dominated Portimao practice sessions with Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

A storming debut for Nicki Thiim in the TCR International Series at Portimao. The Danish driver who lead yesterday's test session with his Audi TT, did the same today in the two practice sessions.

In the opening practice session, the  Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver set the fastest time, 1:53.929. Second place went to Honda's Gianni Morbidelli and third place to SEAT's Pepe Oriola.

Later in the second session, Nicki Thiim was the fastest again with a best time of 1:54.032. He was followed by two SEATs, Pepe Oriola in second place and Sergey Afanasyev in third.

Bad luck hit the second Liqui Moly Team Engstler's Audi TT. Kelvin van der Linde's car stopped on track in the first practice session following an engine issue. The car did not take part in the second practice session.

The TCR International Series qualifying session will follow next.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Nicki Thiim leads Portimao day 1 action with Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

TCR International Series action has started at Portimao. It was an impressive day 1 for Liqui Moly Team Engstler's Audi TTs. The German team was impressive in the TCR test sessions with their two new drivers.

Nicki Thiim who is debuting with the Audi TT in the TCR International Series lead the field. The Danish driver of the #3 Audi TT was simply the best setting the fastest lap time of the day, 1:54.626.

His team-mate at Liqui Moly Team Engstler, South African Kelvin van der Linde performed well too. The 2014 ADAC GT Masters champion was third fastest with his #9 Audi TT, right behind the second placed SEAT of Jordi Gene.

The two Audi TT cars will be back on track tomorrow for two practice sessions followed by qualifying. Both Nicki Thiim and Kelvin van der Linde will battle for pole position.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Kelvin van der Linde and Nicki Thiim join Liqui Moly Team Engstler at Portimao

By Tarek Ramchani

No Break for TCR International Series teams and drivers. Just one week after the Valencia round, the TCR cars will hit the track again in Portugal. The challenging Portimao circuit will be hosting the fourth round of the season.

Liqui Moly Team Engstler will be on site with a pair of Audi TT cars. The privateer German team is still progressing with their Audis against strong rivals representing SEAT, Honda and Opel.

A slight change at the Portuguese round, the two Audis will be driven by two new faces. The two drivers are coming from GT racing with a great experience with the Audi R8 LMS ultra.

The #3 Audi TT will be driven by Nicki Thiim. The Danish driver is competiting in ADAC GT Masters this year with team C.ABT Racing.

The sister #9 Audi TT will be in hands of Kelvin van der Linde. The young South African driver is the reigning ADAC GT Masters champion, competing with C.ABT Racing.

The two drivers are debuting with the car in the newly formed TCR series, but there are no doubts they will be among the fastest in the field and will challenge for the top spots.

The TCR International Series racing weekend will start on Friday with two test sessions. Two practice session and qualifying will be held on Saturday. The two 15-lap races will be run on Sunday.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Liqui Moly Team Engstler heading to Valencia with two Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

The newly formed TCR International Series is about to start its European season this weekend. The Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia, will play host to the third round of the season.

Two Audi TT cars will enter the Spanish round coming from the privateer Liqui Moly Team Engstler. The #6 TT will be driven by team-woner Franz Engstler. The sister #8 Audi will have Mikhail Grachev behind the wheel.

Last time out in China the German team performed very well and challenged the SEATs and Hondas for the top spots. Both Franz Engstler and Mikhail Grachev will be eager to challenge for race victories.

In the drivers' championship standing, Franz Engstler is tenth overall with 16 points, Mikhail Grachev is one position behind, eleventh with a total of 6 points. In the teams' standing, Liqui Moly Team Engstler is fourth with 43 points.

A total of 19 cars will enter the TCR International Series round of Valencia. Action will start on Sunday with both practice and qualifying sessions. The two races will be held on Sunday.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Positive weekend for Liqui Moly Team Engstler in Shanghai with Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

The Shanghai International Circuit played host to the second meeting of the TCR International Series. Liqui Moly Team Engstler entered the event with a pair of Audi TT cars. As was the case at Sepang in the opening round, TCR supported Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix.

The German team took part in the two races with team owner Franz Engstler (#6 Audi TT) and Mikhail Grachev (#8 Audi TT) showing good pace and performances.

The qualifying session gave Liqui Moly Team Engstler satisfaction. Mikhail Grachev qualified in a strong fourth position, the best non Honda driver. Franz Engstler set the eighth fastest time in the session.

In the opening race held on Saturday, Mikhail Grachev was seventh after great battles with a pair of SEAT Leons. Franz Engstler was right behind his team-mate in eighth place. The two drivers were less than ten seconds behind the winning Honda Civic.

Unfortunately Mikhail Grachev was penalized after the race for contact with Jordi Gené (SEAT Leon). He was given a 30-second penalty. The Russian driver dropped from seventh place to position fourteen. Grachev's penalty promoted Franz Engstler to position seven.

Race 1 Results are here.

Sunday's second race was a mixed one for Liqui Moly Team Engstler two Audis. Franz Engstler performed very well and challenged SEAT and Honda cars for the top spots. At the end of the 10-lap race, Franz Engstler took an honorable seventh place.

Bad luck hit Mikhail Grachev in the second race. The Russian driver of the #8 Audi TT was forced to retire after two laps.

Race 2 Results are here.

The TCR International Series will move to Europe, the next event will be held at Valencia. At the moment it's unclear if Liqui Moly Team Engstler will enter the Spanish event with the Audi TTs or switching to their new Volkswagen Golf GTIs.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Audi TT race debut with Liqui Moly Team Engstler in Malaysia

By Johan Laubscher

The new TCR International Series held its first ever event at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Sepang hosted the event which included a grid of seventeen TCR entries.

Liqui Moly Team Engstler entered three cars for the opening round, two Audis and one SEAT. The German team has been granted special authorisation to run two Audi TT cars in the first meetings of the season. This was done in order to allow Liqui Moly Team Engstler to run German cars, a specific requirement of the team’s title sponsor, whilst its TCR specification Golf GTI cars are completed.

The #6 Audi TT had Franz Engstler behind the wheel, who was joined by his teammate, Mikhail Grachev, in the #8 Audi TT.

The weekend began with the practice sessions and a balance of performance adjustment for the Audi and Honda cars, with additional weight being added, only to be removed following the first practice session. The two Audi TT cars occupied positions in the lower half of the field during practice. However, Franz Engstler put a strong lap together during qualifying and secured fourth place on the starting grid. Mikhail Grachev qualified eleventh.

Race one was held on Saturday. Franz Engstler had a very good start and was challenging for third place, but contact from behind resulted in broken steering and retirement for the #6 Audi TT at the very first corner. Mikhail Grachev was able to move forward and was running strongly in sixth, until he began to slow on track with mechanical issues, also retiring from the race.

Both Audi TT cars had shown good pace during qualifying and the first race, and Liqui Moly Team Engstler was eager to put the disappointment of Saturday’s double retirement behind them.

The second and final race took place on Sunday morning before the Malaysian Grand Prix. Engstler started from sixth place and Grachev eighth. Both of the TT cars launched well off the line. Engstler was holding sixth on the opening lap and was followed by Grachev into turn four. This time it was the turn of Grachev to be collected from behind, a trio of SEAT cars made contact coming into turn four and collected the rear-end of Grachev. He was able to continue, but had dropped outside of the top ten.

Franz Engstler began dropping back to eight place before he unfortunately started to slow towards the end of the race and coasted to retirement. Mikhail Grachev continued his recovery and finished eighth, salvaging a top ten result for Liqui Moly Team Engstler and the race debut of the Audi TT.

Round two of the TCR International Series will take place at Shanghai in China from 10-12 April.

Photo credit: TCR International Series

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TCR: Liqui Moly Team Engstler ready for Sepang season opener with Audi TT

By Tarek Ramchani

A new era in Touring Car racing is about to start at Sepang this upcoming weekend. The Malaysian circuit will be hosting the first ever round of the newly formed TCR International Series. The event is supporting the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix

The Audi brand was not expected to join this year with no car eligible for TCR rules. However the fans of the Four Rings will be able to see the debut of the new Audi TT this weekend.

The Audi TT has been granted authorisation by WSC Ltd and TCR to compete in selected events. So don't expect to see the Audi TT to do the full TCR season. Liqui Moly Team Engstler, the team entering the cars, will switch to Volkswagen Golf GTIs very soon.

Liqui Moly Team Engstler from Germany will field two Audi TT cars at Sepang. Team owner and driver, Franz Engstler, will be behind the wheel of the #6 Audi TT. Mikhail Grachev from Russia will drive the #8 machine. The team will field a third car, a SEAT Leon Cup Racer for Lorenzo Veglia.

The opening TCR International Series round will see 17 cars battling for the outright victory. The Audi drivers will be challenged by SEAT Leon Cup Racer, Ford Focus RS, Opel Astra OPC and Honda Civic cars.

Action will start on Friday with two practice sessions. Qualifying and Race 1 will be held on Saturday. Race 2 will conclude the TCR weekend on Sunday.

Photo credit: Audi Media

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TCR: Liqui Moly Team Engstler granted authorisation to use two Audi TT cars in TCR International Series

By Johan Laubscher

It has been revealed that Liqui Moly Team Engstler has been granted authorisation to temporarily run new Audi TT cars in the newly formed TCR International Series.

The German team will be running three cars at the opening round of the series in Malaysia. The line-up includes two Audi TT cars with drivers Franz Engstler and Mikhail Grachev, alongside a SEAT León driven by Lorenzo Veglia.

Liqui Moly Team Engstler announced its TCR campaign last November with the planned entry of three new Volkswagen Golf GTI race cars. Unfortunately these cars are not ready for the beginning of the 2015 TCR season. The team originally planned to run three SEAT León race cars whilst its Golfs are completed, but the team's Liqui Moly sponsorship agreement specifically dictated the use of German cars, thus the SEAT-only option was not plausible.

A solution to Liqui Moly Team Engstler's problem came in the form of the new Audi TT. The possibility of temporarily running Audi TT race cars was evaluated.

Special authorisation has been granted by WSC Ltd and the TCR Technical Committee to allow the Audi TT cars to take part. Surrounded by much secrecy, one Audi TT took part in the TCR balance of performance test days at Barcelona-Catalunya last week (9-10 March).

It was concluded that the Audi TT can conform to the TCR rules with the most notable difference being the coupé body layout which is not normally permitted by the TCR rules.

This has been a special decision to allow and support Liqui Moly Team Engstler to compete in the series whilst the team's Volkswagen Golf GTI race cars are completed.

The TCR press release can be seen HERE.

The 2015 TCR International Series will get underway at Sepang in Malaysia on 29 March.

Photo credit:
TCR International Series
Audi Communications - Motorsport

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