The prospect of becoming a professional racecar driver is a dream for many of North America's youth. And the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is helping to turn that dream into reality with the introduction of a karting qualifier competition that will begin in July. Six standalone karting events will be held at Boston's F1 Outdoor karting facility and will provide an entry point for drivers aspiring to compete for more than $50,000 in prize money and the $100,000 championship award in the Jetta TDI Cup series.
The six karting events will be held on July 14, July 27, Aug 3, Aug 17, Sept 21 and Oct 12. They are open to any North American resident between the ages of 16-26 by Jan 1, 2010.
An entry fee of $995 for each event is required at the time of online entry and includes a day of kart qualifying with Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup driving instructors and hospitality for the driver plus a guest. A ll competitors will receive equally-prepared CRG Kali Karts with Rotax motors.
The top ten finishers from each Driver Selection Qualifier will move on to compete in the VW Jetta TDI Cup Final Driver Selection Event in February 2010, which 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, as well as VW brand familiarization. The top rated driver at the Final Driver Selection Event who competed in the karting qualifiers will be awarded their entire $45,000 season entry fee. Information on the Driver Selection Karting Qualifier Events and an online entry form is available at www.volkswagenjettacup.com
"Professional motorsports has traditionally been a difficult sport to get into without considerable family or sponsor support, but we're trying to change that," said Jan Heylen, Jetta TDI Cup Instructor and Monaco Kart Cup Champion. "These karting events are being hosted at a relatively low cost for participants and give us an opportunity to evaluate future candidates. They also give hopefuls a chance to see if they have what it takes to climb the professional motorsports ladder."
This is the second method of driver entry into the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season. Potential driver candidates can also qualify for the Final Driver Selection Event by competing in an online Jetta TDI Cup season hosted by iRacing.com that begins in September. The top online racer accepted into the 2010 season will also be awarded their season entry fee. For further information on the entire drivers selection process, visit www.vwmotorsportusa.com
The 2009 season marks the second year of competition for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, which is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. During the season, young, up-and-coming drivers (ages 16-26) compete in 10 events on eight road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared and maintained clean-diesel Jetta TDIs powered by Syndiesel B5 blended bio-diesel. Each driver in the series earns a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season. In addition to the $50,000 prize money at stake during the season, the series champion will win $100,000.
The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, 170hp, four-cylinder TDI clean-diesel engine mated to a six-speed, double-clutch, DSG transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock with Pirelli racing tires, race suspension and brake components, driver's safety seat, FIA rollcage and on-board fire extinguisher system. Series sponsors include: Pirelli, Bosch, ViON, Castrol, Oakley, Red Bull, Hyperfuels, Aggreko, defNder Head and Neck Restraint, Safety-Kleen, Ringer Gloves, Jim Russell Racing School and Trellis Earth.Follow the W Jetta TDI Cup series action on www.vwmotorsportusa.com, www.tditruthanddare.com, Facebook and Twitter