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United Kingdom FlagVW Racing: Lucas Orrock and Milltek Scirocco Reach Podium at Silverstone

VW Racing: Orrock Takes Podium: click to enlargeLucas Orrock and his Milltek Sport-backed VW Scirocco race car takes the middle step on the podium at Silverstone in round 7 of the Volkswagen Racing Cup.

Round 7

After a sunny dry day for testing on the Saturday, Orrock took full advantage of good setup for the poor wet conditions that greeted the race on the Sunday. Lucas got off to a great start and made up two places on the first corner.

“I got a really good start initially – I think others around me got a little more wheelspin than me – but then I missed third gear and slipped back,” said Lucas. “Then everyone else seemed to brake really early for the first corner and I just went right around the outside and got past Aaron again and came out second. I could see straight away that I was quicker than Sutton, had a little look on the first lap but backed out of it because it wasn’t worth the risk. Then I got into the lead a couple of laps later.”

Fulbrook’s Golf was clearly handling better than all the Sciroccos around him, and Joe seized second place from Mason at Club on lap four and then drove around Orrock for the lead at Brooklands later the same lap. “Joe came up on me and there was no point in trying to resist him,” said Lucas.

Fulbrook opened a half-second lead over Orrock by the end of lap four and eased away to beat him to the chequered flag by 1s. Said Joe: “Not bad for an old boy… Up to now we have always struggled to find a good wet set-up but the boys have found a bit of a sweet spot, and I’m really pleased for them. It was proper greasy out there and the tyres were going off towards the end, so I am well chuffed with that. I haven’t won in the wet since 2009.”

Orrock’s grip on second was boosted by a lock-up from third-placed Mason at Brooklands on the penultimate lap. “I nipped it up,” said Aaron, “and slid wide, but I managed to get back on…” Confirmed Orrock: “Aaron’s mistake gave me the breather I needed.”

Mason’s error promoted House to third, his PH Motorsport Scirocco rejuvenated by a recent radiator and intercooler change which, he hopes, have banished the overheating problems which have blighted him. Double champion House harried Orrock all the way to the flag but was unable to find a way past. He was delighted nonetheless to step back on to the podium for the first time since his 2013 Snetterton victory. “It’s just nice to finish a race with the same pace as I started with,” said Phil, “and especially to finish well in such a competitive, cleanly fought race.”

Sutton was pleased to retain fourth at the line, and with it his championship lead: “We struggle a bit in the wet; the set-up isn’t quite right and we have some work to do. I had no grip until the final lap, but overall I’m pleased with that position.” Mason recovered from his off to take fifth.

Round 8

Because of his excellent result in the first race, Lucas found himself laden with a significant success-ballast. Despite the handicap, he managed to retain a solid 6th place until an incident in the penultimate lap damaged the car and left him in 9th place.

" We are constantly making improvements and we won't give up, I was actually in a worse position championship wise this time last year and I nearly won it, so in many ways this year is an improvement." said Lucas, "As always a massive thanks to my sponsors Milltek sport, their support through good and bad this year has been excellent, still looking forward to our first win!"

David Sutton further extended his Milltek Sports Volkswagen Racing Cup championship lead with a lights-to-flag victory in his Scirocco at Silverstone, his fourth of the eight-race season. But while Sutton delivered his flawless performance, all eyes watching trackside and on TV were focused on the monumental three-car fight for second place which raged for the duration.

Sutton took advantage of relatively slow getaways from front-row men Jack Walker-Tully and Aaron Mason to nip through for the lead at Copse corner, building his advantage to 0.4s by the end of the opening lap. None of his pursuers would come as close again…

Battle for second was joined between Mason, Walker-Tully and Phil House from the outset, 2013 champion Mason using every trick learned during his six previous seasons of success in the VW Cup to make his AWM Scirocco as wide as possible. Walker-Tully tried at virtually every corner for the first four laps to hustle his Cooke & Mason Scirocco past, losing third as a result for a brief spell to the PH Motorsport Scirocco of House before regaining the position.

On the fifth lap the Scirocco men ran three abreast down the Hangar Straight towards Stowe, with Walker-Tully finally able to nail second spot on the inside as they rounded Club. Jack managed to pull a slender gap on Aaron, who in turn was now under heavy attack from Phil. After two laps of having his attacks rebuffed, House managed to get a better exit out of Woodcote to draw alongside Mason down the National Pits Straight and into Copse, where he managed to make the move stick and secure second. It was a brilliant display of close-quarters racing from all three, and all achieved with a minimum of contact.

Sutton crossed the line 2.4s ahead of his squabbling rivals, with Walker-Tully building his advantage over House to 1.4s by the flag. A disappointed Mason was just 0.7s adrift of a podium finish…

Final word from Lucas Orrock

"So its onto Spa Francorchamps, by far my favourite circuit, I really can't wait, more motivated than ever to repeat last years win."

You can catch up with Lucas and the rest of the Volkswagen Racing Cup from Spa on 10-11th July 2015.

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