Kremer ends Pepper’s winning run – Cypriano fastest lady in eighth 18.05.2014: - Kremer wins eventful second race at Volkswagen’s home event - Runner-up Pepper leads championship with 117 points

-    Kremer wins eventful second race at Volkswagen’s home event

-    Runner-up Pepper leads championship with 117 points

-   Cypriano shines with eighth place, Seidel overtakes just metres before the finish



Germany’s Jason Kremer brought Jordan Lee Pepper’s winning run in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup to an end in a rainy Oschersleben. Former ADAC Formula Masters driver and Scirocco rookie produced an impressive display to finish 3.0 seconds ahead of the South African, who on Saturday became the first driver in the history of the series to win the opening three races of the season.


 Third place went to Denmark’s Nicolaj Møller Madsen after a strong fightback from sixth place. The Dane also won the Junior class ahead of Frenchman Yann Ehrlacher. Saturday’s race, in 20 degrees and sunny conditions, was won by Pepper, ahead of Jason Kremer and Victor Bouveng (S).


The second race at Volkswagen’s home event was initially started on slicks – but behind the safety car, due to the complicated conditions. However, the rain became stronger over the first four laps, resulting in the race being suspended.


Within no time at all, all 23 Cup-Sciroccos were fitted with wet-weather tyres – a fantastic effort from the 26 mechanics at Abt Sportsline and their boss Hans Top. The environmentally-sound one-make cup has now put its faith in the expertise of the team from Kempten for the last five years.


The race then resumed with a flying start in temperatures around 12 degrees and with the rain relenting. An exciting duel soon developed at the front of the field, with Kremer, who started from third place, overtaking Pepper on the outside on lap 12.


The South African leads the overall standings with 117, followed now by Kremer (97). Sunday’s race saw the winner awarded the maximum 50 points for the first time this season – prior to this, only half points had been awarded in the opening three races.


17-year-old French driver Lucile Cypriano came home eighth to claim her best result of the season. Germany’s Doreen Seidel, Playmate of the Year 2008, also impressed in the rain. She climbed four places in the race to finish 19th.




Seidel pulled off a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre in the final corner to pass Switzerland’s Jasmin Preisig and cross the finish line as the second fastest lady. Sweden’s Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky was less fortunate: she was given a drive-through penalty for an illegal overtaking manoeuvre during the safety car phase and ended the race in 23rd place.


The next race weekend in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup is one of the calendar’s real highlights: the Norisring hosts races five and six of the year from 27th to 29th June.



Quotes after the fourth race of the season in Oschersleben



#16 Jason Kremer

Qualifying: 3 – Race 1: “Fantastic. I am overjoyed! Two trips to the podium – that is awesome. I felt great in the Cup-Scirocco in the difficult rainy conditions, and had the car completely under control at all times. When I passed Victor Bouveng, I hoped I would be able to catch Jordan too.


I braked a little later than him at the end of the home straight – and then I just brought it home. My confidence is growing all the time in the Cup-Scirocco, which is still new to me. I now want to challenge for the win in Norisring too.”



#17 Jordan Lee Pepper

Qualifying: 1 – Race 2: “Wow, that was not an easy race. It was a good decision by the race management not to continue on slicks, as the track was extremely slippery. I made a good restart behind the safety car, but then Jason Kremer was getting closer and closer. I could do nothing to stop the overtaking manoeuvre. Congratulations to him on an impressive race! I am still more than happy with my points tally this weekend.”



#14 Nicolaj Møller Madsen

Qualifying: 6 – Race 3: “My first podium of the season, so I am obviously more than happy! Sixth place was not exactly the best starting position in this weather. After the restart I noticed that my pace was very good. The duel with Victor was tough, but fair – even though we only gave each other a matter of millimetres.


 Before the season I said my goal was to win both titles. I am leading the Junior class, and am determined to stay with the front-runners in the overall standings.”



#5 Yann Ehrlacher

Qualifying: 4 – Race 6: “That was a good weekend for me. I was particularly happy with my performance in qualifying. Unfortunately I was a bit too cautious at the start in race one, and consequently dropped back down the field. Race two went well for me, but I struggled with grip in the final third of the race.


Despite this, I am happy with the points. The goal of winning the Junior class is still well within reach. And a place in the top five of the overall standings is also very doable. I want to hit top form at the Norisring, and be a little more aggressive at the start.”





#6 Lucile Cypriano

Qualifying: 7 – Race 8: “I did not want to take too many risks in the difficult conditions. It also rained here during the pre-season test. That obviously helped me, and everyone else, as I was able to adapt to the handling in the wet.


On the whole, however, I did not have as much confidence as when it is dry. All in all I am very happy with eighth place, as I finished nicely in the points.”        



Stefan Moser, Andre Dietzel, photos Volkswagen