Formula Vee 50th birthday marks Volkswagen motorsport half century

German car maker VW is celebrating half a century of motorsport.

It was 50 years ago, on July 11, 1966, that a group of Munich-based traders and car importers who shared an interest in motor racing founded the "Verband Formel V Europa e. V."

But its roots go further back than this, to the United States in 1963 where Volkswagen technology became the launching pad for the fledgling Formula Vee junior racing series.

The small, pioneering single-seat racing cars were based on the running gear from the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.

Stock parts such as the front suspension, steering, transmission and of course the 1.2 litre 40-hp motor made it the ideal basis for the construction of affordable racing cars.

The first Formula Vee race took place at the Daytona Speedway in 1963 and in no time at all, the series had become the most popular motor racing class across the nation.

Interest in the unique racing class spread like wildfire around the globe.

When Volkswagen's Dr Ferry Porsche and sporting director Fritz Huschke von Hanstein heard about the VW based cars in 1964, they promptly shipped a dozen of the kits back to Germany.

"We want to do something for young German drivers and Formula Vee will provide these youngsters with an affordable option for getting started," von Hanstein commented.

Interest in the unique racing class spread like wildfire around the globe and in addition to national championships, challenge races were soon being held between the USA and Europe, along with an unofficial world championship.

By 1971 the philosophy had grown into the Formula Super Vee series, featuring cars with more powerful 120hp engines.

The series became a production line for drivers who went on to taste success in other competitions, such as Dakar Rally winner Freddy Kottulinsky and Formula One world champion Keke Rosberg.

After the success of Formula Vee, Volkswagen moved into Formula 3 as a constructor where it again forged a name for itself with the help of future Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and DTM powerhouse Bernd Schneider.

Volkswagen also went on to make its mark in touring car racing and, of course, rallying.

The pinnacle of Volkswagen's racing success came with its entry into the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

From 1988 to 2014, many young drivers learned their trade in the touring car school.

On top of this came class victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a natural gas-powered Scirocco GT24.

Let's not forget Volkswagen's unique run of success at the iconic Dakar Rally either, in which the team claimed a hat-trick of wins with the Race Touareg from 2009 to 2011.

However the pinnacle of Volkswagen's racing success came with its entry into the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

For three years in a row – from 2013 to 2015 – VW won all three titles with the Polo R WRC: the Manufacturers' Championship plus the Driver and Co-Drivers' Championships with works drivers Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia.

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito says Volkswagen is better placed than ever before. 

"It boasts a very well-balanced program: a global commitment with the Polo R WRC in the World Rally Championship, in circuit racing with the young drivers in Formula 3, and with the Golf GTI TCR in the various international TCR series," he said.

"We are also well-established in the USA, with the Andretti Autosport team enjoying success on the Rallycross scene – a modern and emerging form of motor racing. As such, Volkswagen enjoys a solid and future-oriented basis in motorsport. That is cause for celebration. At the same time, it is also an obligation and motivation. We want to be successful, wherever we compete."

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