Fwd: NEWS: Thompson Wins Jetta TDI Cup Round 2 at VIR

JAKE THOMPSON WINS VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP ROUND #2 AT VIR
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Series to return to action May 15-17 at Miller Motorsports Park

ALTON, VA (April 26, 2009) – Heading into the 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season, eight drivers had previous experience in the series. However, for the second time this weekend, a series rookie took the checkered flag with Vancouver, Canada’s Jake Thompson coming out on top today in the #19 ViON car at VIRginia International Raceway.

Thompson, the 2004 Canadian National Karting Champion, took the lead on lap three from pole sitter Timmy Megenbier who retired on the last lap with mechanical issues. For the last half of the race, Thompson battled bumper to bumper with Mark Pombo, but never relinquished the lead. Pombo placed second and Taylor Broekemeier finished third. For Thompson, the win was redemption for Saturday’s race, which he led at one point.

“Yesterday, when I found myself in the lead, I was nervous and made a mistake, so that experience definitely helped me learn to handle myself a little better under pressure. Pombo was all over me for the last half of the race, but I was able to keep my composure and hold him off,” said Thompson. “I’ve competed in karting for many years, but this is my first experience in cars, so to get a win in only my second race of the season is fantastic. I’m really glad that I landed in the Jetta TDI Cup because the emphasis that the series puts on driver development will hopefully help me to continue to grow in my racing career.”

Guest drivers, journalist, Dan Carney and Halifax, Virginia’s Jeb Burton finished 21st and 23rd respectively. Burton was involved in an on-track incident with the #22 car, which sent him off-course and to the rear of the field. Despite being frustrated with his result, Burton was positive about his experience.

“Being able to participate in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series this weekend was a lot of fun for me. I’ve not done a lot of road-course racing in the past, so it was great to be able to get a little bit of experience,” Burton said. “Obviously, I’m frustrated, but I think that with a little more seat time in these cars and on road courses, I could be competitive. Hopefully, I’ll be able to give it another shot down the road.”

After two rounds of the Jetta TDI Cup, the championship standings have the winner of yesterday’s race at VIR, Joey Atterbury and Jake Thompson tied for the lead with 43 points. AJ Nealey (41), Pombo (40) and Taylor Broekemeier (37) round out the top five.

“The inaugural race weekend of the Jetta TDI Cup absolutely proved our concept that Volkswagen clean diesel technology, young drivers and a top-level crew produces some of the best racing available anywhere in North America,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “If the talent level displayed this weekend at VIR is any indication as to how the rest of the season is going to go, it’s going to be a very exciting sophomore season.”

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action May 15-17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup – Round 2

VIRginia International Raceway – April 26, 2009

Fin. Position/St. Position/Car Number/Driver/Hometown/Sponsor/

1 2 19 Jake Thompson(R)/Vancouver/BC/CN/VION

2 4 20 Mark Pombo/Duluth/GA/VW Parts & Accessories

3 3 3 Taylor Broekemeier/Fort Collins/CO/Pirelli

4 5 2 AJ Nealey(R)/Pasadena/MD/Oakley

5 9 8 Derek Jones/Philadelphia/PA/Aggreko

6 6 27 Andy Lee/Maricopa/AZ/Castrol

7 8 29 Devin Cates(R)/Broad Run/VA/HYPERFUELS

8 7 14 Joey Atterbury(R)/Renton/WA/Red Bull

9 13 26 Andrew Cordeiro/Woodbridge/Ont/CN/Lamin-X

10 10 5 Ryan Ellis(R)/Ashburn/VA/VION

11 11 4 Nicky Boulle(R)/Dallas/TX/Pirelli

12 19 7 JD Mobley(R)/Castle Rock/CO/Bosch

13 18 28 Rhett Tucker(R)/Cumming/GA/DC United

14 16 11 Kyle Wharff(R)/Miramar/FL/VW Parts & Accessories

15 14 6 David Richert/Niverville MB/CN/Bosch

16 17 30 Perry Richardson(R)/Los Gatos/CA/DefNder

17 25 34 Juan Pablo Delgado(R)/Orizaba VZ/VC/SCCA

18 15 16 Eric Morse(R)/Pittsburgh/PA VW Preloved

19 21 24 Donny Warren(R)/Winchester/VA/Aggreko

20 23 15 Theresa Condict(R)/Lexington/MA/HYPERFUELS

24 31 Dan Carney(G)/Herndon/VA/Virginia Tech

21 20 18 Kerstin Smutny(R)/Bothell/WA/iRacing.com/

22 27 32 Andrew Gun Tucker(R)/McDonough/GA/Oakley

22 9 Jeb Burton(G)/Halifax/VA/St. Water Heater/WBurton Wildlife Fndn.

23 1 17 Timmy Megenbier/Melrose Park/IL/ChicagolandVW.com

24 12 23 Juan Pablo SierraLendle/Puebla/MX/Castrol

25 26 22 Andrew Novich(R)/Novato/CA/Meguiars

(G) Guest driver – not eligible for points

(R) Jetta TDI Cup Rookie Driver

About Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup

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 (between ages 16-26) will compete in 10 events on eight road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDI’s powered by Syndiesel® B5 blended biodiesel fuel. Each driver competing in the series will earn a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season. In addition, the series champion will win $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, Safety-Kleen, Ringer Gloves, Jim Russell Racing School and Trellis Earth.

Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series action on:

www.vwmotorsportusa.com

Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/JettaTDICup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

SCCA Pro Racing

A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. is a leading sanctioning body for motorsports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing operates and sanctions the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, as well as provides sanctioning and various operational services for other racing series. For more information, please visit www.sccapro.com.