PoloDriver

With all the attention focused on the Volkswagen Motorsport Polo R WRC currently contesting the World Rally Championship, let’s not forget the other, even more powerful super-Polo set to rip up the gravel in another high-level of motorsport in 2014 – rallycross.

Sweden’s Anton Marklund drove a 500+bhp Polo Supercar in the FIA European Rallycross Championship last year, and is set to return in 2014, only this time he will be joined by Finland’s Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen in a two-pronged Polo attack.

There’s another change this season, too. The Marklund Motorsport team which will run the team as before will now represent Volkswagen Motorsport, so the Polo Supercars which the young men will drive have official approval. This is partly becuase the series is now the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Yesterday at an even in Stockholm, the covers were pulled off the 2014 Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar and the 2014 livery was seen for the first time. More dynamic-looking than 2013’s car, and with echoes of the Polo R WRC in its predominantly blue and grey colour scheme (with Heikkinen’s car picked out with red highlights and Marklund’s yellow), the 2014 Polo RX looks like it means business.

Speaking to rallycrossrx.com, 23 year-old Heikkinen said: ‘The season will be tough with some well-known racing and rally drivers and there is also the battle between the manufacturers. Our goal is to win the first championship title, but it will be a challenge.’

Anton Marklund commented: ‘It will be good to know that the team will give us every opportunity to reach success. I want to be on the podium this year, and I think myself and Topi will make a strong team.’

Anton Markund’s father and team manager Jan Marklund spoke about their team’s relationship with Volkswagen: ‘The co-operation between Volkswagen Motorsport and Marklund Motorsport has made it possible to develop this car to a totally different level. We are happy for the support we have had from Volkswagen Motorsport in Germany as well as Volkswagen Sweden.’

As well as the two Polo RXs for its team, Marklund Motorsport is also lending support to Andretti Autosport who will run Polo Supercars for its two drivers until its officially-prepared Volkswagen Beetles come on stream later in the season.

The first round of the 2014 World Rallycross Championship is at Montalegre in Portugal on 3-4 May. The UK round of the series hits Lydden Hill Race Circuit in Kent on 24-25 May.

[Source: rallycrossrx.com]

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