Excellent PR work: Ignacio Espinosa to race in China
Wolfsburg (29 September 2008). Ignacio Espinosa goes on an excursion to China: in recognition of his exemplary public relations work in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup the 17-year-old from Lima (Peru) will participate in Volkswagen’s international exchange programme to race in the Chinese Volkswagen Polo Cup at Zhuhai on 04/05 October. At home, Espinosa had achieved numerous print and online media as well as TV reports and thus secured the award in the annual PR contest of the popular junior touring car series.
“Today, young racers have to be able to do a lot more than drive races: off the track, they need to prove their abilities early on as well, like showing confidence in dealing with the media,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “Ignacio Espinosa submitted the most extensive material this year and therefore receives the unique opportunity to contest a race in China. The decision as to which of the drivers would win the guest slot was very narrow, though: when it comes to their own PR efforts the Polo Cup contenders display a great deal of ambition as well.”
In his native Peru Espinosa has become truly popular thanks to the Polo Cup – for young talent to change to Europe is definitely an exception there. To offer TV stations footage prior to the season, he even shot material of his own in a production version of the Polo. As a reward for his efforts, a flight over a distance of more than 19,000 kilometres is now awaiting Ignacio. “I’m used to long flights, after all, I frequently commute between Peru and Europe,” says the 17-year-old. “I’m looking forward to my guest stint very much and of course I’m eager to see what the circuit looks like and how the Polo handles there.” The Chinese Racing Polo is a production-based car, powered by over 100 hp, which runs on treaded sports tyres for road vehicles. After the practice sessions and the two races on the 4.3-kilometre circuit Ignacio Espinosa will have an additional day to experience the nearby metropolis of Hong Kong.
Foreign “practice”: global exchange programme of Volkswagen’s talent promotion
In addition to the student exchange programme with the Polo Cup in China, foreign “practice programmes” have been established in the one-make cups in Japan, South Africa and the USA. Maximilian Sandritter as the “rookie half-time champion” of the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup clinched a podium position in the Japanese Volkswagen GTI Cup, “half-time champion” Shane Williams as a guest in the American Jetta TDI Cup even won a race. The winners of the overall and the rookie classifications will compete in the South African Polo Cup in November. During the season, reciprocal visits by the partner series in the German cup are on the agenda as well.