Smiley set to compete at Scirocco R Cup in Germany

Smiley, the 2013 JCW Cup Champion, will have a 10-race program consisting of six race weekends each supporting the world renowned DTM series, which will see him tackling some of Germany’s most historic circuits.

The main maxim of the series is ‘equal opportunities’ and, to that end, the entire grid is competing in identical 285bhp Scirocco Rs.

As well as the circuits being new to him, the cars innovative push-to-pass system will also be an unfamiliar aspect for him to master.

Smiley commented: “After winning the JCW Cup in 2013 and being awarded Driver of the Year, I’m delighted and excited that I will be competing with Europe’s best young talent and motor sport legends who have previously been successful in Formula 1, the DTM or Le Mans. The Scirocco R-Cup is also seen as a great talent factory, with so many previous drivers from Volkswagen Cups successfully managing the transition to the DTM, the World Touring Car Championship or the GT Cup - a path that I would also like to follow.”

He added: “Overall, this move will be the biggest of my racing career to date.”

Smiley’s first chance to drive his car comes at a two-day test at Oscherslaben next month. The first round begins at Hockenheimring in early May.