2013 Season opener: Larini show in Hockenheim.

The thrilling season opener in the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup turned out to be a big Nicola Larini Show. Der 49-year-old Italian racing legend became only the second Legend-winner in the history of the world’s most environmentally friendly racing series, following on from the success of Markus Winkelhock, who won at the Lausitzring in 2012. Larini, the 1993 DTM champion not only set fastest time in practice for the first of nine races in the series, but also captured pole position during qualifying on a wet track during his dominant weekend. Larini beat 18 talented drivers plus his three former Formula 1 colleagues Eric van de Poele (51), Jan Lammers (56) and Martin Donnelly (49).

Second place, 0,9 seconds behind Larini, went to Dane Kasper H. Jensen, who valiantly challenged Larini throughout the 11-lap race. Jensen also assumed the lead of the Scirocco-R Cup championship due to the Legends not being eligible for points. His closest challenger is a lady. Denmark’s Michele Gatting, who finished a remarkable third, just 3,4 seconds behind Larini. This makes Gatting the first women on the podium in the history of the Scirocco R-Cup. The spectators on the grandstands were not only impressed by the race for the podium: thanks to the Push-to-Pass System powered by Volkswagen they were treated to thrilling action and exciting passing manoeuvres throughout the season’s opening race.

OVERALL RESULT