Top team Baumschlager Rallye & Racing will continue to chase success in the FIA European Rally Championship in 2019, only this time with the all-new Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 added to its fleet.
 
Raimund Baumschlager’s Austria-based operation has become the first outfit to take delivery of Volkswagen’s exciting new rally contender having run ŠKODA’s Fabia R5 in recent seasons.
 
“Two Polo GTI R5 are already earmarked for the ERC,” said Baumschlager, a 14-time Austrian champion who also formed part of the Polo test-driving team. “We have at least a handful of potential interested parties for the third car. We have had a lot of enquiries from customers who enjoy a close association with Volkswagen and are very pleased that this manufacturer is now also offering a rally car.”
 
With four ERC events taking place on asphalt and four on gravel, BRR has also ordered the appropriate components for both surfaces.
 
“For us, it is important that the supply of spare parts also works perfectly,” said Baumschlager. “I have every faith in Volkswagen Motorsport in this regard too.”
 
Jean-Baptiste Ley, the ERC Co-ordinator, said: “This really is very exciting news. We’ve followed closely the work Volkswagen Motorsport has put into developing its first R5 challenger and we’re delighted at least two cars are set to compete in the ERC in 2019. It’s also great that a highly capable and professional organisation like Baumschlager Rallye & Racing is continuing its ERC participation with this all-new car.”
 
BRR plans to debut its first Polo GTI R5 at the Prague Rallysprint (Pražský Rallysprint) on 1 December. Subject to confirmation and FIA World Motor Sport Council approval, the 2019 ERC season will open on the Azores Airlines Rallye from 21-23 March.