Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has handed over the operations of its motorsport enterprise to Rayo Racing, with impact from January 1, 2023. The firm has attributed the discontinuation of the Polo and Vento in India as a significant cause behind this choice.

• Transfer of operations from January 1, 2023
• Polo Cup returning to nationwide championship

Polo, Vento discontinuation the final straw

Volkswagen Motorsport India began operations in 2010 with the Polo Cup. The baton was then handed on to the Vento Cup in 2015 and Ameo Cup in 2017 earlier than the corporate determined to deliver again the Polo Cup in a brand new avatar.

However, COVID-19 associated disruptions resulted in only one season of the brand new Polo Cup earlier than Volkswagen ended manufacturing of the Polo. Since then, the motorsport division has been focusing its efforts on the Indian Touring Cars class of the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship.

An official assertion says the transition from Volkswagen Motorsport India to Rayo Racing is “due to the lifecycle completion of the Polo and Vento models in India”. Both fashions had been the one remaining ones to make use of the model’s previous PQ platform.

“Volkswagen Motorsport India has made a tremendous mark in the country, and we are proud of the 12 years of contribution that we have made to the motor sporting culture of India. We are going through a transformative phase and therefore are consolidating our strengths for catering to the evolving needs of our customers,” mentioned Piyush Arora, managing director and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.

He additionally revealed that each one Volkswagen Motorsport India workers have been reassigned inside the VW Group.

Future of Polo Cup with Rayo Racing

This doesn’t imply it’s the tip of the road for the Polo Cup and even Volkswagen’s illustration within the nationwide racing scene.

Rayo Racing has been working with Volkswagen Motorsport India for a number of years now. The two collaborated on the VW Virtual Racing Championship and extra lately, Rayo Racing has been operating Volkswagen’s ITC cars as properly, together with the brand new Virtus race car. Rayo Racing is predicted to proceed fielding the Virtus ITC racer within the upcoming seasons of the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship.

After a yr’s absence, the Polo Cup can be set to return for the 2022-23 nationwide championship. Registrations for a similar are open.

“With the handover of the Motorsport business to Rayo Racing, we are confident that the team will continue to deliver the same enthusiasm and customer experience. Rayo Racing has been our long-standing partner and is capable of providing the expertise, ethos and necessary support,” mentioned Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India.

Additionally, prospects can even attain out to Rayo Racing for motorsport-specific elements and elements.

Also see:

2021 Volkswagen Polo Championship car assessment, observe drive