ATS Formula 3 Cup

Outstanding season kick-off for Volkswagen

Even at the Easter weekend, S. Spiess Motorenbau GmbH was in action: both the German and the British Formula 3 series kicked off their 2009 seasons and consequently, the Spiess engineers had to support the teams relying on Volkswagen power at two race venues. An effort that paid off: four race wins, two in Germany and two in Great Britain. A truly perfect season kick-off for the Volkswagen engines.

At the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the team-mates Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) and Stef Dusseldorp (Netherlands) clinched a race win each. Having secured both pole position and the win in the Sunday race, Vanthoor even came close to celebrating back-to-back wins but at the end of the day, he lost his cool and made a jump start on Monday. ´Therefore, he received a drive-thru penalty, with his Van Amersfoort Racing team-mate, Stef Dusseldorp, benefiting from the Belgian’s mistake. Dusseldorp dedicated his maiden Formula 3 win to his mother who celebrated her birthday on Easter Monday in the Magdeburger Börde region.

In the British Formula 3 Championship, Daniel Ricciardo celebrated back-to-back wins. At the wheel of his Volkswagen powered single-seater, the Carlin Motorsport driver won both rounds of the season kick-off held at Oulton Park. “We are truly delighted with the great successes Volkswagen celebrated at the beginning of the Formula 3 season,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “And we will give our very best to keep on supplying our partners relying on Volkswagen engines with good material.”