Volkswagen Motorsport India has decided to postpone the plans of entering Indian Rally Championship 2014 as a Factory Team. However, Volkswagen
Motorsport India will continue its support to the customers through the Customer Sport programme. This support will be extended in the form of spares as well as technical knowhow in both Group N and R2 class.
Volkswagen Motorsport India started supporting customers running Volkswagen Polo in Indian National Rally Championship in 2013 season. To strengthen the presence in rallying further, Volkswagen Motorsport India started the development of the Polo R2 and tested the car during the last two rounds of the 2013 season. Volkswagen Motorsport India intended to enter the Indian Rally Championship 2014 with the Polo R2. However, the decision to enter IRC 2014 as a Volkswagen Motorsport India Factory Team has been put on hold temporarily and is being evaluated. Nonetheless, Volkswagen Motorsport India will provide the Polo R2 kits for interested competitors from later this year. The Polo R2 kits have been homologated in co-operation with FMSCI on 11th April 2014 and are valid with effect from 10th June 2014 onwards.
Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India, said, “We tested the Polo R2 at two rounds during the previous season. We wish to continue the development and testing of the car further. Moreover, we will require higher budgets to run a full Factory Team while continuing to support our customers in rallying and racing with spares and technical know-how. To ensure uninterrupted support to our customers, we have decided to hold back the Factory Team as of now.”