The first outing

I have announced a few surprises lately - now I can tell you about one more step Volkswagen has taken. For the first time since its inception in 1973, the World Rally Championship visits Germany. Volkswagen use the opportunity of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland for a premiere in entering the new Polo Super 1600 in a public event for the first time.

The car which has been unveiled in public last December at the Essen Motor Show for the first time will be entered as a course-opening car in the ADAC Rallye Deutschland held from 22 to 25 August. Volkswagen's test driver Dieter Depping and I will drive one of the 215 hp Polos each.

The car has successfully clocked up several thousands of test kilometres already. Starting in the Deutschland Rally is a kind of a test under circumstances similar to a proper contest for us. Further tests are on the schedule before the Polo will be homologated on 1 January 2003, thus being eligible for competition.

I am eagerly awaiting this event, of course, as apart from cross country rallying, developing competition cars from Volkswagen is part of my programme, too. The Rally's departure and arrival are located in the city of Trier. Perhaps you will have the opportunity to be a spectator and visit us in the vineyards above the Mosel river or in the Hunsrück region. I would be glad to see as many of you as possible.