Volkswagen drivers get into shape for the 2010 motorsport year at oneighturbo.com

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Five days, ten disciplines, one goal – the Volkswagen Formula 3 and Scirocco R Cup drivers prepared themselves for the 2010 motorsport season during an extensive fitness camp in Oberjoch.

The vigorous training programme was mainly focused on improving physical fitness with respect to stamina, strength and coordination. The events on the fitness agenda resembled a multi-discipline competition of the drivers against themselves: cross-country skiing, a mountain run, power training, spinning, indoor football and a biathlon on the one hand and yoga as a physical-mental training activity and a slalom competition in the driving safety centre on the other addressed several of the racers’ senses. In addition, the young drivers received expert advice in areas like regeneration and proper nutrition.

“Physical fitness can make the difference between victory and defeat in racing,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “Whether in sprint or endurance races, drivers have to stay mentally alert at all times, even when pushing their physical limits. Only those who are truly fit and focused are candidates for victory. I’m happy to see that our Volkswagen drivers worked so hard during the fitness camp and really prepared themselves well for 2010.”

Instructions on getting into shape: the training programme in Oberjoch

The extensive training programme of the fitness camp in the Bavarian “Allgäu” region gave the participants from Formula 3 and the Scirocco R Cup the opportunity to analyse their physical condition and to obtain ideas for their individual fitness programmes during the racing season under the guidance of expert trainers. Even Volkswagen driver Mark Miller, who finished the 2010 Dakar Rally in third place, shared his wealth of experience in physical preparation with the young racers. A lecture on nutrition by sport scientist Janis Kalnins complemented this theoretical unit. On the practical side of the house, the drivers’ stamina and strength-stamina were crucial aspects. Strenuous cross-country skiing units with Robbie Neuner’s trainer team, a gruelling uphill run over a 600-metre distance against the clock and a tough snowshoe hike took the participants to the limits. A circular training unit to improve coordination, exercises involving motorsport-specific power training and an indoor cycling team activity were all part of the demanding fitness programme as well.

“Physical fitness is an important part of my preparation for the season,” says Edoardo Mortara, who pilots a Dallara Volkswagen for the Signature partner team in the Formula 3 Euro Series. “At the camp, everyone can get some ideas for their own personal workout programme and thereby prepare even better for the races. But the camp also provides an ideal opportunity to get to know one’s own potential. The snowshoe hike and the uphill run in particular showed who’s in good physical shape and who isn’t. But even the coordination exercises such as cross-country skiing are unusual activities and thus a great change of pace from our personal fitness programmes.”

Team building as a side effect of regeneration

The programme that was purely focused on fitness alternated with regeneration units and smaller competitions. A biathlon relay race in which the contenders had to combine the skills they had acquired in cross-country skiing with strong nerves at the shooting range concluded this part of the programme. “Well, racers enjoy competing with others,” says Jann-Hendrik Ubben from Aurich (Germany) who in 2010 will contest the new Scirocco R Cup that enables a reduction of CO2 emissions by 80 per cent thanks to bio-CNG power. “In addition, the biathlon provided some interesting insights into another sporting discipline which you normally just get to watch on TV.”

Other forms of diversion included a visit to the motorsport department of ABT Sportsline, the team that centrally fields the Scirocco R Cup vehicles and has been the DTM Champion for the past three years, and a slalom event in the driving safety centre in Kempten where the participants of the fitness camp had the chance to compete with each other at the wheel of the brand new Volkswagen Golf R. As well as giving their minds some rest from time to time their strained bodies were allowed to relax according to plan – while going to the sauna every night, for instance. In addition, joint dinners and the exchange of experiences gained during the day helped to promote the team spirit among the drivers.

2010 Formula 3 Euro Series Calendar
09–11 Apr Le Castellet (F)
23–25 Apr Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
21–23 May Valencia (E)
02–04 Jul Norisring (D)
06–08 Aug Nürburgring (D)
20–22 Aug Circuit Park Zandvoort (NL)
03–05 Sep Brands Hatch (GB)
17–19 Sep Oschersleben (D)
15–17 Oct Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)

2010 British Formula 3 Championship Calendar
03–05 Apr Oulton Park (GB)
01/02 May Silverstone (GB)
22/23 May Magny-Cours (F)
29/30 May Hockenheim (D)
17/18 Jul Rockingham (GB)
30/31 Jul Spa-Francorchamps (B)
07/08 Aug Thruxton (GB)
14/15 Aug Silverstone (GB)
29/30 Aug Snetterton (GB)
25/26 Sep Brands Hatch (GB)

2010 ATS Formula 3 Cup Calendar
10/11 Apr Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)
08/09 May Sachsenring (D)
29/30 May Hockenheim (D)
17/18 Jul Assen (NL)
24/25 Jul Nürburgring Sprintkurs (D)
07/08 Aug Assen (NL)
14/15 Aug EuroSpeedway Lausitz (D)
28/29 Aug Nürburgring Grand-Prix-Kurs (D)
02/03 Oct Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)

2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup Calendar
23/24 Apr Hockenheimring (D)
04/05 Jun EuroSpeedway Lausitz (D)
02/03 Jul Norisring (D)
06–08 Aug Nürburgring (D)*
03/04 Sep Brands Hatch (GB)
17–19 Sep Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)*
15/16 Oct Hockenheimring (D)

* two races; otherwise one race on Saturday

- Volkswagen Motorsport