WRC: Young ace impress Volkswagen

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From wrc.com

Kevin Abbring and Sepp Wiegand will remain under consideration as potential recruits for the factory Volkswagen Motorsport team for 2013 .

That’s according to the company’s motorsport chief, Kris Nissen, who was impressed with their respective performances on Wales Rally GB, which brought the curtain down on the 2011 WRC season on 13 November.

Abbring was the leading Super 2000 finisher in 12th overall on his first appearance on the challenging gravel rally. Wiegand, who was also competing in Wales for the first time, was the third-highest S2000 competitor when he was forced to withdraw at the finish of Sunday’s second stage when his co-driver Timo Gottschalk was struck down by severe stomach cramps and was unable to continue.

“[Rally GB] with fast gravel stretches and unpredictable weather represents one of the biggest challenges in the WRC,” said Nissen. “Kevin Abbring showed a very strong driving performance and did a good job of presenting himself together with his co-driver Lara Vanneste. But Sepp Wiegand convinced us as well. He continually improved throughout the weekend and proved his talent. We’ll continue to observe both drivers.”