Dominant Jordan Lee Pepper wins season-opener in Scirocco R-Cup 03.05.2014: – Pierre Casiraghi thrilled with eventful debut Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup HOCKENHEIM

– Pierre Casiraghi thrilled with eventful debut


Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup  HOCKENHEIM


Jordan Lee Pepper underlined his title ambitions in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup with a commanding win in the opening race of the season, which he led from start to finish.


The 17-year-old South African beamed from ear to ear as he stood on the podium at the Hockenheimring, where he was presented with the trophy by Pierre Casiraghi (MC). The son of Princess Caroline of Hannover arrived at the presentation ceremony fresh from thrilling fans at the circuit with an eventful race debut.


Pepper’s second victory in the environmentally-sound one-make cup, having previously won at the Nürburgring last year, crowned a flawless performance at the opening round of the season. Having set fastest times in practice and qualifying, he crossed the line at the end of the 11-lap race 3.2 seconds ahead of runner-up Victor Bouveng from Sweden.


Pepper, who finished third overall last season, picked up the first 25 points in his pursuit of the title won last year by Kelvin van der Linde. Pepper’s compatriot lines up in the ADAC GT Masters this year, where he tops the table after the opening race weekend.


Third place in the first race of the season went to Manuel Fahnauer (D). Jason Kremer (D) was the series’ best-placed rookie, coming home fourth. The performance of Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky also caught the eye, as the Swede produced a spectacular fightback from 13th on the grid to end the race in fifth place.


French driver Lucile Cypriano, who secured her start in the Scirocco R-Cup via a talent competition run by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, proved her ability with a very respectable 12th. Victory in the Junior class went to Marc Coleselli (A).



Attention was also focussed on Pierre Casiraghi (MC), who earned the respect of his 23 fellow drivers by breaking the two-minute barrier in qualifying. The member of Monaco’s royal family made a great start to his first ever race, immediately climbing five places. However, he subsequently dropped back to last place after spinning off into a gravel trap.


Finding himself at the very back of the field, Casiraghi showed his fighting spirit to make good two positions. Among his victims was Doreen Seidel (D), who he overtook after a slight contact shortly before the end of the race. The 2008 Playmate of the Year crossed the line in 23rd place.


After the finish, Casiraghi was greeted by Volkswagen ambassador Jacky Ickx (B) and Stéphane Ortelli (MC) – both legendary drivers had played a role in preparing him for his successful race debut.



Six-time Le Mans winner and Formula One runner-up Ickx also congratulated Pepper, who always looked in control under the grey sky over the Hockenheimring. After a good start, the South African set about consistently increasing his lead at the front of the field.


Only Bouveng and Fahnauer were able to get anywhere near to matching Pepper’s pace once they had overtaken Kremer, who started the race from second on the grid. The action further down the field featured plenty of wheel-to-wheel duels and spectacular overtaking manoeuvres in the world’s only one-make cup with natural gas-powered cars.




The opening race certainly whet the appetite: race number two of the season at the Hockenheimring gets underway at 16:25 on Sunday. Jordan Lee Pepper will once again start from pole position, followed by Jason Kremer.


 
Stefan Moser, Andre Dietzel, photos Volkswagen