AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today the selection of 30 drivers to compete in the all-new Jetta TDI Cup series. The drivers were chosen at a driver selection event April 3-6 at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz.

“We’re offering a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest drivers to get their start in a factory-backed racing series,” said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Through an exhausting driver evaluation process, we looked at a variety of factors including driving ability and potential, media and communication skills and overall fit, to choose the 30 best drivers to help promote Volkswagen and the introduction of our all-new 50-state clean diesel Jetta TDI, and ultimately themselves.”

Full story, list of drivers and race schedule...

Wish the TDI was in a Golf already...

is there going to be anyway to watch these races other than in person

What front bumper cover are they running on those Jetta's? Looks sweet.

Looks like the thunderbunny front end

Congratulations to the drivers who were picked

It's the production version of the bumper shown on the Thunder Bunny SEMA car. To be DOT compliant it needed side markers, which the show car didn't have.

It's part of a complete kit that VW's releasing for the cars, including side skirts and a rear bumper with integrated diffuser, and it should be available from dealerships now unpainted, and prepainted in another month.

Quote, originally posted by porschenvy »

never heard of such "opportunity" perhaps thats because its sons of dealership owners that are partaking in the event (noted theres no females) VWOA

It was advertised on VWoA's website, fercrissakes...

for VWoA's involvement in a motorsports event here in the U.S. Also wondering if this can be caught on TV?

Any of the racers already own a TDI?

Next stop... VWoA needs to send a car over to Jon Hamilton, Ken Sabo, & Oliver Wegener to rally it!!!


Modified by GT17V at 9:40 PM 4-8-2008

Quote, originally posted by porschenvy »

never heard of such "opportunity" perhaps thats because its sons of dealership owners that are partaking in the event (noted theres no females) VWOA

Ok I will clear the air here and respond as I am one of the top 35 finalists and the # 3 alternate to the series. Yes there is a son of a VW dealer racing in this series, but no that is not why he was chosen. He is a talented driver with a ton of potential. As far as no women in the series, I can tell you for a fact that the #1 alternate is an 18 year old girl named Shea. Check out Shearacing.com for more info on her. I am honored to be one of the top 35 and look forward to any furtter involvement with the series that may come my way. Just to note, there were 5 or so females in the tryouts in AZ while I was down there.

i wish all 30 the best of luck

Aaron Stehly

I don't see anything on there site

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com...eries

-John

Congrats John.

I bet you are very proud of Josh as well.

if anyone wants to donate a dollar or two, please click here!

http://www.rightfootdown.com/?p=20

Modified by jshim at 2:53 PM 4-10-2008

I'm one of the lucky 30 chosen. Speed will be covering the series but we do not know the air dates. Also VwVortex and it's sister site Speed Arena will be going inside the event with me. The first installment is posted with another coming this week. Check it out at

http://www.speedarena.com/news...shtml

Quote, originally posted by TDICupracer »

[QUOTE=01tj]Still no answers to the TV questions? Anyone know if Speed will cover it?QUOTE] I'm one of the lucky 30 chosen. Speed will be covering the series but we do not know the air dates. Also VwVortex and it's sister site Speed Arena will be going inside the event with me. The first installment is posted with another coming this week. Check it out at http://www.speedarena.com/news...shtml

We will be on bio diesel but not B100, yet. Carbon free means they have planted enough trees to to consume all of the carbon output of the series. This includes the trucks traveling etc. I applaud Volkswagen for putting on a racing series that is environmentally responsible.

Quote, originally posted by .:RDriver »

Here are a few shots from the first day on track at VIR. Josh had a good first day, finishing third fastest in the first session and second fastest in the second session only 34 hundredths behind the fastest driver. They did lose half of the second session though due to one of the drivers wadding up their new TDI in the esses. Couple shots. Our fearless reporter getting ready for the first session. VW hospitality center with the race Touareg and the new Tiguan out front. 30 equally prepared race Jetta TDIs. Need wheels and Michelin slicks and rains anyone? On track in morning session. Afternoon session at the top of the esses. And a little advertising shot for VW. Good slogan. More updates next week after the race on Sunday.

DRIVERS QUALIFY FOR INAUGURAL JETTA TDI CUP RACE

Drivers Secure Grid Positions in First All Clean-Diesel Race

ALTON, VA. – Volkswagen of America has announced the results from the driver qualification session and the starting grid positions for the inaugural race of the Jetta TDI Cup to be held Sunday, April 27, at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). Josh Hurley finished with a qualifying time of 2:14.301 to secure the first pole position in the Jetta TDI cup race to be held at 4:00 p.m. (EST) at VIR.

“I’m excited to have secured the pole position for the first race of the Jetta TDI Cup series and I am especially thankful to have the support of Gunther Volkswagen,“ said Hurley. “The cars have been performing great this weekend, and we’re all excited to be able to race these clean diesel vehicles officially for the first time tomorrow.”

Complete result information of the qualifying race listed below includes position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.

1, (11), Josh Hurley, Cooper City, Fla., 2:14.301, 87.653

2, (39), Caleb Kenney, Berkeley, Calif., 2:14.557, 87.487

3, (17), Timmy Megenbier, Melrose Park, Ill., 2:14.640, 87.433

4, (20), Mark Pombo, Duluth, Ga., 2:14.806, 87.325

5, (42), Derek Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., 2:14.819, 87.317

6, (18), Jimmy Underhill, Denver, Colo., 2:15.240, 87.045

7, (5), David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., 2:15.310, 87.000

8, (4), Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, Puebla, MX, 2:15.471, 86.896

9, (35), Liam Kenney, Sterling, Va., 2:15.484, 86.888

10, (36), Michael DeNino, Gaithersburg, Md., 2:15.572, 86.832

11, (37), Chris Castagna, Boston, Mass., 2:15.619, 86.802

12, (31), Chris Holman, Burlington, Ontario, 2:15.620, 86.801

13, (15), Ryan Buetzer, Long Beach, Calif., 2:15.670, 86.769

14, (2), Adam Crepin, St. Louis, Mo., 2:16.022, 86.544

15, (29), John Shim, Starkville, Miss., 2:16.059, 86.521

16, (40), Jake Dallenbach, San Antonio, Texas, 2:16.091, 86.501

17, (23), Wyatt Dallenbach, San Antonio, Texas, 2:16.221, 86.418

18, (33), Evan Pflock, Rendondo Beach, Calif., 2:16.222, 86.417

19, (6), Andy Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2:16.345, 86.339

20, (38), Gary Williams_Jr., Dana Point, Calif., 2:16.360, 86.330

21, (30), Chris Kuenning, Grand Rapids, Mich., 2:16.370, 86.324

22, (16), Chad Brassfield, Phoenix, Ariz., 2:16.392, 86.310

23, (22), James Kirkham, Beaverton, Ore., 2:16.397, 86.306

24, (32), Adam Kretschmer, Brampton, Ontario, 2:16.498, 86.243

25, (12), Nick Mancuso, Mettawa, Ill., 2:16.789, 86.059

26, (26), Andrew Cordeiro, Woodbridge, Ontario, 2:17.187, 85.809

27, (14), David Richert, Niverville MB, Canada, 2:17.191, 85.807

28, (25), Adam Love, Normal, Ill., 2:18.002, 85.303

29, (41), Taylor Broekemeier, Fort Collins, Colo., 2:18.333, 85.099

They will be airing all of the races in the off season, one a week for eight weeks. On the ninth week they will air a documentary about the series. Sorry I do not have exact dates yet, but as soon as I do I will let you all know.