Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has handed over the operations of its motorsport business to Rayo Racing, with effect from January 1, 2023. The company has attributed the discontinuation of the Polo and Vento in India as a major reason behind this decision.
- Transfer of operations from January 1, 2023
- Polo Cup returning to national championship
Polo, Vento discontinuation the last straw
Volkswagen Motorsport India started operations in 2010 with the Polo Cup. The baton was then passed on to the Vento Cup in 2015 and Ameo Cup in 2017 before the company decided to bring back the Polo Cup in a new avatar.
However, COVID-19 related disruptions resulted in just one season of the new Polo Cup before Volkswagen ended production of the Polo. Since then, the motorsport division has been focusing its efforts on the Indian Touring Cars class of the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship.
An official statement says the transition from Volkswagen Motorsport India to Rayo Racing is “due to the lifecycle completion of the Polo and Vento models in India”. Both models were the only remaining ones to use the brand’s old PQ platform.
“Volkswagen Motorsport India has made a tremendous mark in the country, and we are proud of the 12 years of contribution that we have made to the motor sporting culture of India. We are going through a transformative phase and therefore are consolidating our strengths for catering to the evolving needs of our customers,” said Piyush Arora, managing director and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.
He also revealed that all Volkswagen Motorsport India employees have been reassigned within the VW Group.
Future of Polo Cup with Rayo Racing
This doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line for the Polo Cup or even Volkswagen's representation in the national racing scene.
Rayo Racing has been working with Volkswagen Motorsport India for several years now. The two collaborated on the VW Virtual Racing Championship and more recently, Rayo Racing has been running Volkswagen’s ITC cars as well, including the new Virtus race car. Rayo Racing is expected to continue fielding the Virtus ITC racer in the upcoming seasons of the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship.
After a year’s absence, the Polo Cup is also set to return for the 2022-23 national championship. Registrations for the same are open.
“With the handover of the Motorsport business to Rayo Racing, we are confident that the team will continue to deliver the same enthusiasm and customer experience. Rayo Racing has been our long-standing partner and is capable of providing the expertise, ethos and necessary support,” said Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India.
Additionally, customers can also reach out to Rayo Racing for motorsport-specific parts and components.
Also see:
2021 Volkswagen Polo Championship car review, track drive