German Car Scene

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES “RACING UNDER GREEN” BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Posted 10th December, 2009 in Volkswagen | Leave a comment

Herndon, VA (Dec. 10, 2009) – In motorsports, there’s more to the action than what’s seen on the track by fans. Beginning the week of January 18, all of the behind-the-scenes drama of the country’s only professional clean diesel racing series will hit national television with a documentary on the season, titled “Racing Under Green.”

The 60-minute documentary takes an inside look at all of the elements that make the series unique. During the season, a broadcast crew followed the series’ 25 drivers and key leadership on track and off to capture the personalities behind the wheel of the equally-prepared Jetta TDI Cup racecars. The documentary was shot in high definition and also explores the environmentally-friendly aspects of the series, from biodiesel blends used to power the cars on the racetrack to the series’ support of CarbonFund.org. The documentary will air at various times on Discovery Communications’ Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Planet Green, and HD Theater from January 18-31. Check local cable listings for channel information and broadcast times.

“We’re really pleased with the broadcast products that have been produced on the 2009 series, and I think that it’s going to make for some great TV,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The film crew followed some of our drivers to their hometowns, so viewers will get to see many of the drivers’ stories away from the race track. There are also many behind-the-scenes elements of our series that even people who are at the racetrack don’t see, and these broadcasts will really let people take a look inside the Jetta TDI Cup.”

Volkswagen is currently accepting driver applications for the 2010 season at www.vwmotorsportusa.com

. Potential driver candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of January 1, 2010 and hold a passport from the U.S., Canada or Mexico. In addition, drivers entering the series for the first time must not have competed in any professional racing series regardless of location. Applicants must submit their application along with a season entry fee of $45,000 by December 11, 2009 in order to be considered as a candidate. The entry fee will be fully refunded to those not chosen as a 2010 series driver.

From the driver applications, up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held February 7-9 in Las Vegas. This final event will determine the final 25-driver lineup for the 2010 season. The final driver selection event includes three days of professional driving instruction, autocross competition, track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car, physical fitness training, a sponsorship development workshop, marketing and media training, and Volkswagen brand familiarization.

About Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
The SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was launched in 2008 as way to introduce clean diesel technology to the U.S. market and develop the best of motorsport’s up-and-coming talent. During the season, young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) compete on road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDI’s. Each driver competing in the series earns a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season. In addition to more than $50,000 in prize money at stake during the season, the series champion receives Volkswagen factory career advancement support with a value up to $100,000.

The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, 170 hp, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed, double-clutch, automatic DSG transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock with Pirelli racing tires, race suspension and brake components, drivers racing safety seat, FIA roll cage and an on-board fire extinguisher system. Series sponsors include: Pirelli, Bosch, ViON, Castrol, Oakley, Red Bull, HYPERFUELS, Aggreko, defNder, Lamin-X, Meguiar’s, Sherwin-Williams, Chicagoland VW, Safety-Kleen, Ringer Gloves, Jim Russell Racing School and Trellis Earth.

[Source: VW]