‘Focus on circuit racing’
A household name in motorsport, Kris Nissen is one of the very few drivers who achieved success in single-seater as well as sports cars. The retired Danish driver has competed in Formula Three, DTM and Super Touring Car and even tested the Formula One machine.
The 50-year-old, who is currently the motorsport head of Volkswagen, is impressed with the talent in India. He said the drivers who are competing in the Polo Cup, an initiative of Volkswagen, have it in them to make it big in the sport.
“The only obstacle is the level of race cars in India. It needs to be improved. Otherwise, youngsters will surely struggle when they make their international debut,” said Nissen, who suffered serious burns to his body and face in an accident during a Super Touring car race in Fuji (Japan).
With the inaugural season of the Polo Cup reaching its climax, Nissen said the series needs a lot to improve next year.
“Two years back when we started this project, we didn’t think that the event will be so successful in India. Now, I am more than pleased with this championship. But, our job is to keep improving it every year,” he said.
“We have already started testing cars for the next year. The power of the car is one of the aspects which will be improved. We are also hunting for more young drivers,” he added.
Though the series provides a bumper-to-bumper racing, speed lovers have expressed dissatisfaction about the diesel-fuelled Polo Cars not making much of a noise like.
Nissen says the VW engineers are testing a different exhaust system. “However, I can’t promise a massive improvement,” he said.
Recent rumours suggested that Volkswagen was looking into entering the world of Formula One in the future, as early as 2013. But the German auto giant has scuttled all plans of entering the most glamorous racing series in the world.
“At present our aim is to continue to do well in the Dakar Rally and DTM (German Touring Car) championship,” said Nissen. Nissen also ruled out the possibility of fielding cars in the Indian National Rally Championship. “We always believe in taking things step by step. Our focus in India is totally on circuit racing. We have to improve in the Polo Cup. We will continue to work with JK Tyres to promote the sport here,” concluded Nissen.
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