Volkswagen Polo R Cup winner to get paid JK Tyre FB02 drive

Volkswagen Motorsport India will arrange for a paid drive for the top ranked Indian driver from its Polo R Cup (first picture) in the JK Tyre FB02 single seat series (second picture) for next year.

In a departure from its usual format of sending a driver to compete in the European-based Scirocco R Cup, VW Motorsport India head Prithviraj Siddappa told autoX that the gap between the Indian and European based series is too big for local drivers to bridge.

"We had a long discussion about what is not a very good situation for us at the moment," said Siddappa. "We came to the conclusion that it would be far better preparation for out Polo R Cup drivers to race in the Formula BMW cars used in FB02 before taking on stiff competition in the Scirocco R Cup."

Siddappa said that looking at the case of Aditya Patel - who raced in Formula BMW Pacific before making the successful switch to touring and sports cars - validated the decision for Volkswagen Motorsport India to go ahead with the FB02 placement.

"We believe that our Polo R Cup graduate will get a lot more track time in the FB02 car," said Siddappa. "Also a single seat formula car is the best way to learn about handling a racing car."

JK Tyre Motorsport boss Sanjay Sharma confirmed the initiative to autoX today at the final round of its 2013 racing championship at the Buddh International F1 circuit today.

"The Volkswagen Scirocco Cup arrangement isn't helping anyone out at the moment," said Sharma. "I think the FB02 series will prepare a driver well to do touring cars."