flintoff
01-06-2009, 09:54 AM
Imagine you are a budding racer and receive an unexpected email inviting you to a complete.ly sponsored drive in a prestigious European championship! Had Ashwin Sundar deleted or ignored the mail as prank or spam, he would not have been tracing the racing lines in one of the most competitive racing environs in the world. Ashwin received a call from Marian Hamprecht, team boss of Macon Motorsports, that is backed by Volkswagen in the German ADAC Formula Masters Championship. As a primary objective, VW has a policy now to encourage and support drivers from different countries, where it operates, to race in the European championship, in a bid to nurture and groom their talent in a competitive atmosphere. The company has launched driver exchange programmes wherein drivers from Germany swap places with counter parts from other countries to compete in their respective national championships.
Armed with the requisite credentials, the 18-year-old Ashwin was the obvious choice for Volkswagen India to be promoted in the German series, though a few other drivers from down south were also in contention.
Ashwin has bagged a three-year contract with VW to race for Macon Motorsports in the Formula ADAC Masters Championship, which is rated
at just a notch below Formula 3. Team officials suggest that the first year will be a huge learning curve for Ashwin, given the lofty standards in Europe. In the second year, the learning experience is translated into performing during race events. The third and most crucial year is when Ashwin is expected to deliver on his promise and potential.
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There however is no magic wand or fairy godmother who will or can ensure Ashwin instant laurels in the German championship. Ashwin knows that he is not going to start winning races right away. "There is a tremendous difference in the racing culture in India and here (Germany). The level is really high and I have never been exposed to such machinery and competition," he explained. With more racing experience at the Asian level, the transition could have been easier. The cars in Germany are faster and far advanced, for one. "I am used to the softer set-up, as in India, but now have started getting to grips with the really stiff set-up adopted here," he said commenting on the difference in conditions. He is also adopting a new driving style with the help of team-mate Marco Soerensen; who has enough experience and is currently leading the championship.
Ashwin has had an encouraging experience so far in the series. He earned his maiden point at the last race in Nurburgring, finishing ninth in one of the races. With oodles of saloon car racing experience in India, Ashwin was quite at home as a wild card entry at the Brands Hatch round ofVW Polo Cup Championship. To everyone's surprise, he qualified third and posted the fastest lap during the race before sliding on to the gravel trap. At the sixth round of Formula Masters in Sachsenring, Ashwin was in gooa form again, while he gained some experience of racing in rainy conditions. Ashwin qualified 8th and 12th for the races. He finished ninth in the first race, while in the rain drenched second race he dropped down to 12th place finish but managed to eke two points. The first experience of racing in the wet threw up visibility issues with his constantly fogging visor.
Asked if he would like to give the Polo Cup a go, Ashwin replied, " It is solely at the discretion of Volkswagen. If they want me to compete in the series, I surely will." Team boss Marian is very happy with his progress and is confident that Ashwin will learn the ropes fast. Meanwhile, Ashwin also has to focus a great deal on the physical fitness front to ensure he remains competitive in all respects. After this season, Ashwin is scheduled to attend a fitness camp at the Winter Training Academy in Germany, where racers like Nico Rosberg have toned up on their physical front.
Armed with the requisite credentials, the 18-year-old Ashwin was the obvious choice for Volkswagen India to be promoted in the German series, though a few other drivers from down south were also in contention.
Ashwin has bagged a three-year contract with VW to race for Macon Motorsports in the Formula ADAC Masters Championship, which is rated
at just a notch below Formula 3. Team officials suggest that the first year will be a huge learning curve for Ashwin, given the lofty standards in Europe. In the second year, the learning experience is translated into performing during race events. The third and most crucial year is when Ashwin is expected to deliver on his promise and potential.
509
There however is no magic wand or fairy godmother who will or can ensure Ashwin instant laurels in the German championship. Ashwin knows that he is not going to start winning races right away. "There is a tremendous difference in the racing culture in India and here (Germany). The level is really high and I have never been exposed to such machinery and competition," he explained. With more racing experience at the Asian level, the transition could have been easier. The cars in Germany are faster and far advanced, for one. "I am used to the softer set-up, as in India, but now have started getting to grips with the really stiff set-up adopted here," he said commenting on the difference in conditions. He is also adopting a new driving style with the help of team-mate Marco Soerensen; who has enough experience and is currently leading the championship.
Ashwin has had an encouraging experience so far in the series. He earned his maiden point at the last race in Nurburgring, finishing ninth in one of the races. With oodles of saloon car racing experience in India, Ashwin was quite at home as a wild card entry at the Brands Hatch round ofVW Polo Cup Championship. To everyone's surprise, he qualified third and posted the fastest lap during the race before sliding on to the gravel trap. At the sixth round of Formula Masters in Sachsenring, Ashwin was in gooa form again, while he gained some experience of racing in rainy conditions. Ashwin qualified 8th and 12th for the races. He finished ninth in the first race, while in the rain drenched second race he dropped down to 12th place finish but managed to eke two points. The first experience of racing in the wet threw up visibility issues with his constantly fogging visor.
Asked if he would like to give the Polo Cup a go, Ashwin replied, " It is solely at the discretion of Volkswagen. If they want me to compete in the series, I surely will." Team boss Marian is very happy with his progress and is confident that Ashwin will learn the ropes fast. Meanwhile, Ashwin also has to focus a great deal on the physical fitness front to ensure he remains competitive in all respects. After this season, Ashwin is scheduled to attend a fitness camp at the Winter Training Academy in Germany, where racers like Nico Rosberg have toned up on their physical front.