First TT Champion

The inaugural Audi Sport TT Cup season has produced its first champion.

After a thrilling inaugural Audi Sport TT Cup season, the first TT Cup champion has been decided and the season declared a resounding success. Young Polish driver Jan Kisiel put his stamp on the series from the very first round, taking a win in the 2015 opener at Hockenheim before appearing a further eight times on the podium throughout the season.

30 October, 2015

A successful season

In fact the 21-year-old Polish driver had already wrapped up the title before the final round of the competition which saw the TTs back at Hockenheim. His impressive five race victories from a total of 12 races saw him well clear of his rivals and shows his competitive spirit and obvious talent behind the wheel of the specially prepared Audi TT.

In the final round of the cup, the crowd were treated to yet another display of the close racing characteristic of the Audi Sport TT Cup throughout its maiden season. Audi factory driver, Marco Bonanomi was a guest driver in the final round and called on his significant race experience to come out on top in the final race. Behind him, young Finn, Joonas Lappalainen was the best placed of the permanent drivers for 2015 and thus clinched his second win for the season, the only permanent driver other than champion Jan Kisiel to win more than one race in the season.

But while the lead in the final round saw six cars fight tooth and nail for the win, the driver’s championship was already decided, and none of the other drivers were in a position to significantly close the gap on Kisiel.

The Audi Sport TT Cup was held at six selected rounds (two races per round) of the 2015 DTM Championship and its popularity amongst drivers seeking a spot for the inaugural season was overwhelming. Entrants for the 18 permanent seats came from all over the world including Australia with a mix of young up and coming drivers as well as many established and experienced racers.

In addition to the permanent drivers, a number of seats were reserved for guest drivers throughout the season, the list including celebrated racing drivers from a number of different racing categories as well as celebrities and even royalty.

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Outstanding driver talent

Throughout the season, fans were treated to thrilling racing from the one-make series, the equally matched cars making for a level playing field that showcased the talents of the drivers. The young Pole was one to watch from the very outset though, his nine podium finishes from 12 races – five of those in first place – put him well ahead of his nearest rival, Nicolaj Møller Madsen, and secured him the impressive trophy which was specially built by Audi apprentices at the Neckarsulm plant. In addition to the trophy, Kisiel’s prize includes a parts package for the new Audi R8 LMS worth 150,000 euros.

“It’s an incredible feeling. Things are simply going perfectly for me at the moment,” the young driver from Warsaw said of his championship victory. 

Project Leader Rolf Michl was likewise thrilled with the season finale and Kisiel’s championship win: “Congratulations to the drivers on delivering this superb performance,” Michl said. “In Jan Kisiel, we have a deserving winner. A driver who mounts the podium nine times in twelve races and wins five of them is justifiably in the top spot. Hopefully, we’re going to see Jan again on the race track in an Audi next year.”

Given the outstanding success of the Audi Sport TT Cup, expectations are high for an even bigger season in 2016 with applications open for those looking to get behind the wheel of one of the TTs next year. In 2015, the grid was made up of entrants from 14 countries with an average age of 22-years-old. Such has been the response that Audi will offer an additional two permanent spots in 2016 and the motorsport faithful can look forward to even more gripping action from the one-make series.

First TT Champion

The inaugural Audi Sport TT Cup season has produced its first champion.

A successful season

Outstanding driver talent

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Pioneers

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