VW To Hold A Wild Card Entry Round For The 2017 Ameo Cup

Volkswagen Motorsport India is gearing up for the 2017 Ameo Cup one-make series and it has already selected 15 drivers for the same through a selection process held in Pune on December 17 and 18, 2017. However, VW Motorsport is now offering an opportunity to experienced racers to earn a wild-card entry into the series. During the first round of the FMSCI-MMSC National Racing Championship at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, from January 27-29, 2017, a special race weekend will be organised. VW Motorsport has opened registrations in this regard from today and 16 spots are up for grabs. However, the seats will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The 16 racers will get free practice sessions, a qualifying session and three races as a part of the weekend. They will pilot the outgoing Vento Cup race-spec cars which feature a 1.4-litre TSI engine making 180PS power that’s mated to a six-speed DSG transmission. Based on their finishes, drivers will be awarded points, and the one with the highest cumulative points will get a fully-sponsored entry (only the entry fee of Rs 8.5 lakh) into the upcoming 2017 Ameo Cup. The second and third overall finishers will get 40 per cent (Rs 3.4 lakh) and 20 per cent (Rs 1.7 lakh) of the entry fee waived off for the Ameo Cup. The table below explains how the points will be awarded for each of the three races:

Sirish Vissa, head of Volkswagen Motorsport India, said, "Through our one-make series, we have been offering budding racers a great platform that is truly of international standards. Right from the beginning, Volkswagen Motorsport India has sponsored its champions a further season in higher spec racing series. This year, we take our efforts of sponsoring young talent in a new direction." He further said, "We are offering this unique opportunity to the drivers who have previously raced but haven't been able to make it to the selection round in Pune. They can now enter this race weekend and stand a chance to get a free seat or partially sponsored seat in the exciting new series that we will start next year."

The upcoming race weekend in January will also retire the Vento Cup race cars that debuted back in 2015. As far as other details are concerned, only experienced drivers will be allowed to participate in the weekend. A participation fee of Rs 2.5 lakh will be charged along with a refundable security deposit of Rs 1 lakh from the participants.

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