What Dunlop Tyres New Rookie Cup Announcement
Where South Africa
When Tuesday 1 August 2023
Community South Africa National
New Dunlop shod Rookie Cup a sensible first racing step
Dunlop will be the tyre of choice for the exciting new Volkswagen Motorsport run Rookie Cup. Starting with a four-round championship around South Africa from mid-September 2023, Rookie Cup will offer racers a highly controlled and most sensible first step up from karting into main circuit racing, en route to the prestigious CompCare Polo Cup.
“Dunlop Motorsport is proud to be chosen as the official tyre partner to the new Volkswagen Rookie Cup,” Joanne de Freitas, Dunlop Manager PR & Events explains. “Dunlop has long been the exclusive tyre supplier to CompCare Polo Cup, GTC SupaCup and Global Touring Cars. Volkswagen Rookie Cup is now a natural addition in our quest to find SA’s finest drivers.”
“Polo Cup has served as the feeder category from karting into circuit racing for many years and has been hugely successful in developing young drivers. Some became international stars while others progressed to the pinnacle of local motorsport. Now the Dunlop-shod Rookie Cup provides karters with an important first step into South African circuit racing.”
“We are also delighted to have Dunlop on board as our Rookie Cup official tyre partner,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe adds. “Rookie Cup will now provide the ladder of Dunlop-shod Volkswagen series with a first rung up to CompCare Polo Cup, into GTC SupaCup, into a Volkswagen in premier Global Touring Cars, and beyond.
“The super competitive nature of CompCare Polo Cup has often made it too daunting a step up from karting. Drivers and parents can become disillusioned by that. Rookie Cup now makes for an easier transition into circuit racing, and best of all, the champion will earn an all-expenses paid Polo Cup drive the following year.”
Rookie Cup drivers will race identically race prepared Volkswagen Polo Vivos. Running on 15-inch Dunlop Direzza semi-slicks so well proven over the years in the all-Volkswagen Gauteng regional Pabar VW and Cape Alert GTi Challenges. The cars will be centrally run in-house by Volkswagen Motorsport to ensure a level playing field.
Volkswagen Motorsport owned Rookie Cup cars will be rotated between the drivers from round to round. Drivers can brand the bonnet and rear doors of the white cars. Drivers will be coached to ensure a seamless step up. Run over four rounds for 2023 following a two-day coaching and testing session, future seasons will typically comprise six rounds.
The 2023 season commences at Aldo Scribante 15 September, before heading to Zwartkops 21 October, back to Scribante 25 November and on to Killarney 9 December. Race weekends will comprise of three or four Friday practice sessions, before qualifying and two or three races on the Saturday. Points will be paid on a 15-12-10-9-8 basis, down to one point for tenth.
Racing costs will be covered by the Rookie Cup entry fee. Drivers and parents are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. Aimed at providing kart racers between the ages of 14 and 16 with a sensible first step towards CompCare Polo Cup, the Dunlop shod Rookie Cup is sure to unearth some most exciting future South African driver talent.
Issued on behalf of Dunlop Motorsport
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