Simon Rudd has told KSN he is delighted to be returning to the Volkswagen Racing Cup for the 2015 in the Team HARD powered VW Golf.

The Rochester race ace is looking forward to going racing again having worked hard during the winter break to ensure he is ready to hit the track running from round one at Oulton Park.

Speaking exclusively to Kent Sports News after shake down testing a delighted Simon said: “I am really happy to be out again in 2015, it was a huge learning curve in 2014. With it being my first proper season in cars.

“I am back in the VW Cup with Team HARD. with a car that is almost brand new, the only things that are the same on it are the shell and the roll cage. It is really good to get testing today, I have been waiting all winter for it, and I am really looking forward to 2015.”

It was clear that as soon as Simon got back behind the wheel for testing that he had that hunger and desire back to be out racing as soon as he can.

He added: “I think that this year our cars will make the biggest jump forward in performance from last year, and we will pull some time back on the guys at the front of the grid. I want to get a good testing programme underway before we get to Oulton Park in April to make sure we are ready and 100% committed.

“It was a bit damp today but we were only running in, so I am not in any way proving myself it is literally going down round and round. We have another two test days before the start of the season plus an extra one before Oulton. If we can we are going to add another test day but we will have to see how that goes budget wise.”

Even at this early stage in pre-season testing it is all about managing the budget and making sure that you don’t use it all before you get the season underway and then come up short later on.

“It is not a cheap sport but thankfully we have got some great sponsors on board that are going to help us push up the front end of the grid. I have got to prove to them that I am good enough, it is going to be a tough year but I am really looking forward to it.”

“My aim for the start of the season is to get into the top ten, once we are in there then we are going to be looking forward at the top five and then the podium and or wins, that is the aim and it is down to me to do it.”

The team is packed full of young and up and coming drivers and that means even after one season in the VW that Simon has become one of the experienced drivers in the team, something he relishes.

He said: “It is a good mix and there are a lot of cars in the team for this year, I will look to Howard Fuller and Tony to help me improve, because they are the experienced having raced British Touring Cars.

“Any advice that I can pass onto the younger drivers, I will do and hopefully everyone gets on as well as they did last season.

“Team HARD. you know it is a cliché but it really is a family, Tony likes to keep everything tight knit, and likes everyone to get on with each other, he wants 100% commitment from everybody and that is what it is all about.”

Pictures supplied by Simon Burhcett.