Change of guard at Volkswagen Motorsport
After four very successful years of Volkswagen's motorsport programme in India, there is a change of guard. Prithviraj Siddappa, who has been at the helm of the brand's motorsport division for the last four years has come to the end of his term as head of motorsport and will be heading back to Germany to take on a new role with VW's technical development department. As of the 27th of January, Siddappa will be replaced by Sirish Vissa, a motorsport veteran with years of experience with racing events around the world. Vissa has been associated with Volkswagen India as a consultant over the last few years. Prior to this he spent 20 years in the United States studying mechanical engineering and working on various motorsport projects as well, including developing a car for the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Newly appointed head of VW Motorsport India Sirish Vissa (left) and Prithviraj Siddappa with the Polo R2
"I am honoured and excited at the opportunity of heading the already well-established Volkswagen Motorsport division in India as the sport continues to evolve. Prithviraj has set a benchmark and I will give my 100% to pick it up from where he has left it and ensure that motorsport continues to grow", commented Vissa on his appointment as the new head of Volkswagen Motorsport India.
Prithviraj Siddappa, former Volkswagen Motorsport Head, associated with Motorsport since its inception, said "It has been a pleasure spearheading Volkswagen Motorsport journey in India and I firmly believe that it will flourish further under Sirish's leadership. He has vast knowledge of the sport and I am glad that an expert like him will take over from me. I am sure everyone will extend the same support that I got over the last four years."
Over the four years in which Volkwagen Motorsport India has been established, the division has branched out from racing to rallying as well. Four successful seasons of the Polo Cup have been run, while Volkswagen also diversified into rallying with their Customer Sport Pilot Programme, also developing the Volkswagen Polo R2 and the Volkswagen Polo GT TDI for rallying.
Starts Rs 6.17 Lakhs
999cc
Automatic
76
175
16.47 Kmpl
Related Stories
