Volkswagen Motorsport signs rallycross partnership with Marklund Motorsport
Following Marklund Motorsport’s announcement of the signing of Global Rallycross Championship winner Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen, the Swedish outfit has teamed up with Volkswagen Motorsport to mount a factory-approved assault on the 2014 FIA Global Rallycross Championship.
The start of a three-year partnership, Heikkinen and current Marklund Motorsport driver Anton Marklund will drive newly-developed Polo RX Supercars. The series kicks off in Montalegre, Portugal on 3 May.
‘Rallycross is attracting ever-increasing levels of attention in Europe and overseas and is one of the fastest growing motorsport disciplines,’ said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito.
‘The races are short and sweet, the cars are spectacular and look like factory models. Marklund Motorsport ranks among the most ambitious independent teams and has single-handedly developed the Polo RX Supercar for the 2014 FIA RallyCross World Championship.
‘Jan Marklund’s professional approach was our condition before embarking on this collaboration, in which Volkswagen Motorsport provides the team experience and expertise from rally sport,’ he continued.
Jan Marklund, Marklund Motorsport team owner, added: ‘Volkswagen’s pedigree in motorsport is there for everyone to see, there is no better manufacturer for us to be partnered with than the current WRC champions.
‘Volkswagen is looking to make an immediate global impact in the world of rallycross and I’m happy that Marklund Motorsport is their chosen partner for the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
‘We will now continue the hard work we have put in so far this pre-season and with the support of Volkswagen we are very much looking forward to delivering results from the first race of the new season.’
The Polo has proved its motorsport pedigree, winning the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship and with this announcement, its race-winning credentials cannot be denied.
It looks to be another exciting year for the Polo in motorsport, and we look forward to bringing all the Polo action from motorsport events around the world.
