Summerton heads back to Europe

Jonathan Summerton heads back to Europe this weekend to test for Team USA A1GP at Silverstone and then goes on to race for Volkswagen in the F3 Euro Series.

The new Formula 3 engine from Volkswagen will celebrate its racing début during the DTM weekend on the NÃ¼rburgring (31 Aug -02 Sep). For its comeback as an engine supplier, Volkswagen initially equips three vehicles in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Maximilian GÃ¶tz from Uffenheim (Germany) and Jonathan Summerton from the United States contest the series for the Italian Team RC Motorsport, while Marco Holzer from Augsburg (Germany) competes for AM Holzer Rennsport, using the new two-liter engine delivering about 210 hp of the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer.

"The new Formula 3 engine from Volkswagen has completed many hours of rig testing and reeled off plenty of test kilometers on the track. Now it's time to test it in direct competition," said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "The first races are intended to help us assess where we stand and to give us new information we can use in the unit's evolution for the coming season."

The new Formula 3 powerplant is based on a two-liter engine that delivers 150 hp in the production version, which is available for various models of the Volkswagen Group. With its high content of light-metal materials, robust design and compact build, the four-cylinder powerplant possesses a wealth of favorable prerequisites for use in Formula racing. A large part of the track tests with the new engine was handled by Jonathan Summerton. "Power and performance of the Volkswagen engine are already at a high level. I'm eager to see where we stand compared with the competition," said the 19-year-old from Florida, who celebrated a victory in the Formula 3 Euro Series last year and represented the USA in the A1 GP series in winter.

Prior to the start of the race weekend at the NÃ¼rburgring an official test day with three hours of additional track time will be on Thursday's agenda. Maximilian GÃ¶tz: "The possibility to test suits us well because it allows us to work out the optimal set-up for our car without being pressured by time," commented the 21-year-old from Franconia who, like Summerton, has ample experience in Formula 3 and is a new member of Team RC Motorsport. Marco Holzer, on the other hand, competes with his previous team, directed by father Ronald. "The collaboration with Volkswagen is a major step forwards for us," said the 19-year-old Marco Holzer.

Making its comeback as an engine supplier, Volkswagen builds on a successful history in Formula 3: Between 1979 and 1991 as many as seven drivers celebrated the title win in the German Formula 3 Championship with Volkswagen. In addition, there were numerous international titles and several exploits in the famous Formula 3 Grands Prix of Monaco and Macao