Final Race of 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Announced

Up until now only nine of the ten events for the 2009 season of the Jetta TDI Cup had been announced. Now Volkswagen of America, Inc. has finally announced the last host in the series of races – Miller Motorsports Park. The track, which is located in Salt Lake City, is set to host Round Three of the event from May 15-17.

The 2009 Jetta TDI Cup is SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned and fans already know that they can expect top racing from this fantastic auto racing event. Clark Campbell, the Motorsport Manager for Volkswagen of America, Inc., said: “I’m very pleased with the addition of Miller Motorsports Park to our schedule, as it is an excellent circuit to host one of our events. In addition, this race helps us broaden the geographic reach of our series in hopes of spreading the word about the many benefits of clean diesel performance and technology.”

This is only the second season of the still new and young Jetta TDI Cup and it is scheduled to begin at Virginia International Raceway on April 24. The racing action is always exciting since it sees 30 young, undiscovered and unproved drivers take to the track to compete in a series of ten different events on as many as eight different road courses around the country. There is no way of telling what will happen or who will come out on top. The prize money is good, with the series champion taking $100 000 home with him, while each and every driver also gets to earn a Pro Racing license from the SCCA by the end of the season. Drivers are aged between sixteen and twenty-six and the resulting explosion of talent and skill is nail-biting to watch. Competitors in the race are also aware that it is a great opportunity to kick-start their racing careers and they take it very seriously.

Kyle Novak, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup SCCA Program Manager, noted that the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season would see these young drivers competing on some of the most challenging and illustrious road courses in North America. He said that these circuits would be a “test of driving ability” and that the result of this would be that “drivers will be equipped with the skills necessary to launch their careers in racing.” He added that the events provide “great exposure because they’ll often be racing alongside some of the best road course drivers and teams from Grand-Am and ALMS.” The 2009 Jetta TDI Cup is certainly not one to be missed so start making your arrangements now!

VW Uses L.A. Auto Show To Showcase Diesel Technology

German Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen recently took advantage of the 2008 L.A. Auto Show to showcase its entire range of diesel powered technology. It debuted at a news conference at the event with the all-new Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV which is compliant with the regulations of 50 states. It also showed off the new purpose-built VW Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck which will be used at the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.

The impressive Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel was the talk of the show with its 3.0 L, turbocharged, six-cylinder engine. The engine is capable of producing407 lbs-ft of torque and 221 horsepower. It combines technology with more conventional systems, making use of the most advanced catalytic convert system on the planet, as well as ordinary rail injection. In designing the vehicle, developers worked hard to ensure that it met the very strict emission requirements enforced by the state of California, making it a viable option for all 50 states.

The new Touareg V6 TDI is part of Volkswagen’s commitment to developing clean diesel technology and it sets a new standard for SUVs by making them extremely economical and ensuring that they have lower emission rates than previous SUVs. It appears that there is a general feeling that diesel is one of the most sensible alternative fuels available and using clean diesel technology can greatly reduce the impact that vehicles have on the environment. The innovative developments put into practice in the new Touareg V6 TDI also help to reduce fuel costs quite drastically. In fact, the engine is seen as being one of the most advanced diesel engines of our times. The fuel tank of the Touareg V6 TDI has a 26.4 gallon capacity and drivers will find that they can get about 600 miles to a tank!

The race version of the vehicle revealed at the show, the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, will be taking part in the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. It will be racing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class, where its 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine and incredible fuel economy will no doubt prove to be of benefit.