NOTE: It may not be rally, but with guys like Freeskier Simon Dumont being invited as guest drivers, and a car that I've driven and had fun in, the TDI Cup cars are sweet, and I'd drive it again. Maybe you should, too.

Photo: Courtesy Volkswagen - Jerry Zolynsky
Brakes like your girl when she sees a pair of
Christian Louboutin pumps.Volkswagen Announces 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Schedule

Schedule includes 10 races for young drivers

Herndon, VA (Dec. 3, 2009) With the second successful season of the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup in the rearview mirror, series officials have begun making preparations for the 2010 season. Today, Volkswagen announced the 10-race schedule for next year, which includes six of the circuits from the 2009 schedule and the series first visit to Mexico.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup schedule includes:

Rounds 1 & 2 - April 23-25 - VIRginia International Raceway (Alton, VA)*
Round 3 - May 8-9 - New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
Round 4 - June 5-6 - Miller Motorsports Park (Tooele, UT)
Round 5 - June 18-20 - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, OH)
Round 6 - July 30-August 1 - Autobahn Country Club (Joliet, IL)
Rounds 7 & 8 - August 20-22 - Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)*
Rounds 9 & 10 - September/October TBD - Mexico TBD*
* - Indicates double-race weekends

In building the 2010 schedule, we have been able to achieve a great mix of historic tracks and newer facilities in excellent geographic markets in North America, said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. During the first two seasons of our series, we have clearly demonstrated the benefits of Volkswagen s clean diesel TDI technology, and we re looking forward to an exciting 2010 season.

Photo: Courtesy Volkswagen - Jerry Zolynsky
Blockwood talks the talk (maybe) with Road & Track's
Calvin Kim and Dennis McCormack, Program Director
for the 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.

Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series action on:
www.vwmotorsportusa.com
www.tditruthanddare.com
Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VWJettaTDICup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup