For junior drivers starting at the age of 16, there are two first-rate series in Germany. The ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup and the ADAC Formula Masters as joint initiatives by Volkswagen and the ADAC are the leading junior categories in touring car and formula racing.

The idea behind both of them is to assure that entry-level racing remains affordable, while offering a maximum of professionalism, equality of ­opportunity and potential for promoting young talent. This is accomplished by favourable entry rates (38,500 euros for contesting the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup ­series, the price of 49,900 euros for the vehicle in the ADAC Formula Masters powered by Volkswagen) and purpose-built racing cars, which are not available in any other series. In addition, the regu­lations accommodate the learning needs and experiences of young racers, and the professional environment for training, marketing and organisation offers a unique platform. In both series talent, not technological potential or a big budget, is the only thing that counts. The collaboration between Volkswagen and the ADAC has a long tradition: Since 1998 Europe’s biggest automobile manufacturer and Europe’s biggest automobile club have jointly realised as many as three racing series – the ADAC Volkswagen New Beetle Cup (1999–2002), the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup / Polo Cup (since 1998 / 2004) and the ADAC Formula Masters (from 2008) – providing a stepping stone to a career in racing.