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Martyn Culley racing his VW Beetle at Thruxton

BASINGSTOKE saloon car driver Martyn Culley has suffered his fair share of misfortune in the Volkswagen Racing Cup this season.

After spending many a long evening rebuilding the engine of his VW Beetle after a fire at Oulton Park, for his home race at Thruxton, Culley found himself out of the running after just two laps.

The young driver was hit from behind and sent into a spin, before colliding with another car.

Once again, a lot of damage was caused to the car. The chassis has needed to be straightened, before the engine can be replaced and the bodywork returned on his number 10 car.

Culley is hoping to be back in action for the next rounds at Silverstone on August 17. The championship then concludes at Donington Park on October 12.

The 29-year-old business analyst is looking forward to getting back on the track and hopes to get some good results under his belt before the end of the season.

Culley said: "This has been a development year for us with the VW Beetle, and it was really coming together at Thruxton as we were up to eighth on the grid in qualifying.

"Now I want to use the final races to push on, so we are in great shape for next year."

While this year Thruxton was not a happy hunting ground, back in 2006 it was a very different story as the Hatch Warren driver won in the final race of the Championship.

That was his second win of the year and secured him second place overall by just two points.

Culley said: "That was a great day. I was on pole for the last race and led off the start and for the whole of the race.

"Thruxton is one of my favourite tracks, along with Silverstone and Snetterton, where I had my first-ever Volkswagen Cup win."

As to Culley's long-term ambitions, he would love to move up to British Touring Cars, as he sees himself very much as a saloon car driver.

He is not alone on the grid, as his father Barrie drives the VW Vento number 11 and also helps out with preparing the car.

Also in the support team is Martyn's son Aaron, who comes along to watch the action.

"Aaron really loves his racing and comes running in from his play-room when it is on the television. He is only two now, but I am sure he will want to drive.

"It would be great to have three generations of the family all on the grid at the same time, but that is a few years off yet," said Martyn.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Culley can contact the driver on 07899 882554.

2:17pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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