Racing is cool. Diesel is cool. Put them together in a single spec-class and you have a whole new level of cool:
Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing have announced the eight dates comprising the 2008 schedule of the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race series.
Making its debut on American shores this summer, the Volkswagen
Jetta TDI Cup series is an innovative approach to motorsports. The
Jetta TDI Cup is composed of 30 factory-prepared and managed 2008
clean-diesel Jetta TDIs, piloted by talented drivers aged 16 to 26, who
are relative unknowns in the industry. Volkswagen’s goal is to find the
driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of
professional motorsports.
The concept is as revolutionary as the car, which is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI, clean diesel engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from spec, featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a 6-speed double-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Additionally, to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free.
“Volkswagen has a long motorsports heritage and we’re continuing
that tradition with the Jetta TDI Cup,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport
manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The series will introduce a whole
new generation of talented racers to Volkswagen, and showcase the
power, performance and efficiency of our clean diesel technology. Plus,
there will be some great racing.”
The 30 drivers, selected at a driver qualifying event in early
April, will be challenged with a variety of demanding circuits. The
series opens April 25 – 27 at VIRginia International Raceway, in Alton,
Va., a favorite among drivers and fans alike. The Jetta TDI Cup then
heads north of the border to the ultra-fast Mosport International
Raceway, in Bowmanville, Ont., Canada, May 17 – 18. The series stays in
Canada for the following round, July 4 – 6, at the Grand Prix of
Toronto, where Volkswagen will also stage a celebrity race. More
details will be announced shortly.
Following the Canadian swing, is a trip to scenic Lakeville,
Conn., Aug. 14 – 17, for a visit to Lime Rock Park. On Sept. 19 – 20,
the series heads to Iowa Speedway, in Newton, Iowa, to give drivers a
shot at “roval” racing. The following week, the brand-new New Jersey
Motorsports Park, in Millville, N.J., will play host to the schedule’s
only doubleheader, Sept. 27 – 28. The season closes in Braselton, Ga.,
Oct. 1 – 3, during the Petit LeMans week at Road Atlanta.
“We are incredibly excited to be nearing the launch of the
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup,” said SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Bob
Wildberger. “This series is not only an example of how motorsports can
become more eco-friendly, but it also puts the emphasis on the driver,
rather than the pocketbook. Racing fans everywhere will welcome this
innovative series and the new driving talent that will emerge from it.”
There is still time to sign up for the Jetta TDI Cup on the
Volkswagen Web site. Applications will be accepted until February 29th
at www.vwmotorsportusa.com.
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