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JETTA TDI CUP CARS TAKE TO THE TRACK FOR THE FIRST TIME BEFORE INAUGURAL RACE WEEKEND

Posted 25th April, 2008 in Volkswagen | Leave a comment

Thirty Jetta TDI Cup clean-diesel cars took to the track today at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) for the first time in this race series. As part of the inaugural racing weekend, ‘taxi’ rides around the VIR course in TDI cars were provided by professional Volkswagen drivers to media and selected guests.

“As we get ready for the official start of the Jetta TDI Cup series this weekend the excitement surrounding the race continues to grow every time the cars get on the track,”said Clark Campbell, motorsports manger, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This race promises to not only make history as the first series to offer an entire field of clean diesel vehicles, but will showcase rising talent in the hopes of producing a new star in racing.”

All 30 drivers in this innovative race are using factory prepared and managed 2009 Jetta TDI clean-diesel vehicles powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from spec, featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a six-speed double-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Additionally, to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfun.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free.

Present at the racing weekend will be Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, as well as featured guest instructor, Wally Dallenbach Jr., one of America’s premier road racers. Having driven for some of the biggest names in racing, including Jack Roush, Rick Hendrick and Richard Petty, Dallenbach has an extensive 20-year racing history with more than 300 starts and 27-plus wins in some of the most competitive racing series in the world.

The Jetta TDI Cup qualifying will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 1:00 p.m., with the race following on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Also on hand to help kickoff the first race will be “Max”, the 1964 black Volkswagen Beetle spokesperson in the company’s latest advertising campaign ‘DAS AUTOs What the People Want’. Max will lead a parade lap ahead of the pace car before the start of the Jetta TDI Cup series race. Tickets are still available for all events and can be purchased at virclub.com.
The Jetta TDI Cup series, the first all clean-diesel race series, is sanctioned by the SCCA Pro Racing, Inc.

[Source: VW]