Marklund, the officially-supported Volkswagen team in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, will run two 560bhp Polo RX Supercars in 2014, one for flying Finn Heikkinen, the other for swift Swede Anton Marklund.
With the opening World Rallycross Championship round scheduled for May 3-4 at Montalegre in Portugal, Heikkinen, from Joensuu in Finland, is counting the days until he can drive his Polo RX Supercar in competition for the first time. The car takes approximately 2.1s seconds to go from 0-100kph.
”I can hardly wait until it all starts,” said Topi, the 2013 Global Rallycross champion who hasn’t competed since starring in the Andros Trophy ice-racing series in France back in January. ”The season will be tough with respect to the competition but at the same time fun to follow for the fans. Well-known racing and rally drivers will fight for the title against rallycross regulars and there is also the battle between the various manufacturers. Our goal is to win the first World Rallycross Championship title although it will be a big challenge.”
Topi’s team manager, Jan Marklund, is relishing an exciting season ahead and watching the Polo RX Supercars chase World Rallycross Championship glory: ”The cooperation between Volkswagen Motorsport and Marklund Motorsport has made it possible to develop this car to a totally different level. We are happy for the support we have had from Volkswagen Motorsport in Germany as well as Volkswagen Sweden. The plan is to fight for the top three positions in every race and to win the championship title.”
Topi’s car (Volkswagen Polo RX Supercar)
Engine: Turbocharged straight four
Capacity: 1998cc
Power: 560bhp @ 6250rpm
Torque: 850 Nm @ 5000rpm
Air restrictor: 45mm (FIA regulation)
Engine control unit: Pectel
Gearbox: Sequential six-speed racing gearbox
Transmission: Permanent four-wheel drive, centre differential between front and rear axles, multi-plate limited-slip differentials front and rear
Clutch: Alcon hydraulically actuated triple-disk sintered metal
Suspension: Rieger dampers
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion steering
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes
Wheels: 8×17 inch
Tyres: Cooper competition tyres
Weight: 1300kg (minimum weight)
Acceleration: 0-100kph in approx. 2.1 seconds
Top speed: Up to approx. 190kph depending on gearing
Topi in 20 (words)
Flying Finn Heikkinen, 23, is the Global Rallycross champion and member of the Volkswagen-supported team in the World Rallycross Championship.
Topi’s schedule
2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship: Round 1: Montalegre, Portugal, May 3-4; 2: Lydden Hill, United Kingdom, May 24-25; 3: Hell, Norway, June 14-15; 4: Kouvola, Finland, June 28-29; 5: Höljes, Sweden, July 5-6; 6: Mettet, Belgium, July 12-13; 7: Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada, August 7-8; 8: Loheac, France, September 6-7; 9: Estering, Germany, September 20-21; 10: Franciacorta, Italy, September 27-28; 11: Istanbul Park, Turkey, October 11-12; 12: Cordoba/ Missones, Argentina, November 22-23.
