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Volkswagen releases 2010 Jetta TDI Cup driver line-up and calendar

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Khatir Soltani
From Volkswagen of America

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is proud to announce the names of the 25 drivers who will compete in the 2010 Jetta TDI Cup. The Volkswagen-operated spec racing series, now entering its third season, will take the green flag on its SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned events beginning April 23 at Virginia International Raceway.

photo: Volkswagen

The drivers selected to compete in the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup include:

Jake Thompson – Calgary, AB
Michael Hogg – Vancouver, BC
Andrew Cordeiro - Woodbridge, ON
Rafael Navarro IV – Temecula, CA
Colin Thompson – Perkasie, PA
Arie Ouimet – Plymouth, MA
Chris Wehrheim – Norcross, GA
Kevin Gleason – Johnstown, PA
JJ Tomlinson – Park City, UT
Taylor Tzouanakis – Wauconda, IL
Justine Jackson – Kingston, Jamaica
Wyatt Gooden – Gates Mills, OH
Jarvis Gennari – Boca Raton, FL
Brian Whitmire – Baton Rouge, LA
Mike Mineo-Nardacci – East Hills, NY
AJ Severino – Hamilton, NJ
Jenna Wagner – Bristol, VA
Andrew Novich – Novato, CA
Nate Norenberg – Plymouth, MN
Taylor Broekemeier - Fort Collins, CO
JD Mobley - Castle Rock, CO
AJ Nealey - Edgewater, MD
Ryan Ellis - Ashburn, VA
Juan Pablo Delgado – Orizaba, Mexico
Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle - Puebla, Mexico

Earlier this week in Las Vegas, NV, Volkswagen welcomed driver candidates from throughout North America for three days of in-depth testing and analysis. All drivers were evaluated through a variety of on- and off-track scenarios to establish skill level, potential, and overall ability.

Following a collection of driving activities, physical fitness tests, media training, and an in-depth sponsorship workshop from Townsend Bell, who finished 4th in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, the final 25 drivers were chosen.

Drivers will race in ten Jetta TDI Cup events spanning seven road courses in the United States and Mexico in identical, factory-prepared and maintained Jetta TDIs running on clean diesel fuel.

The series Champion will win $100,000 toward career development support from Volkswagen, while every driver who competes in the series will earn a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the finish of the season.

The Jetta TDI Cup racecar is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed, Direct Shift Gearbox® (DSG®) dual-clutch automatic transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock through the addition of race tires, suspension, brakes, and safety equipment.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Schedule
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 July 18 – 20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, OH)
Round 6 July 30 – Aug. 1 Autobahn Country Club (Joliet, IL)
Round 7 & 8 Aug. 20 – 22 Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)
Rounds 9 & 10 Sept. 24 – 26 Autodromo AMOZOC (Puebla, Mexico)



photo:Volkswagen
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada