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Volkswagen TDI Cup "Diesel Derby" We were so impressed by the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that we named it our Driver's Choice best of the year. It's not just that the Jetta's turbo diesel engine is strong and thrifty, or that it's a great small family car. The TDI is also a blast to drive. So much so that it was only a matter of time before it headed for the checkered flag, and our Steven Chupnick went over the edge to be in this winner's circle. John Davis
KERSTIN SMUTNEY: "Oh, I love driving it, it's so much fun. My personal car is a 2008 Rabbit, so I've got all Volkswagens; I love it." Started by Clark Campbell, the series is a way to promote fun, clean fuel and racing - all at the same time.
With all the cars setup the same, it's the driver's abilities that are really put to the test. CLARK CAMPBELL: "They enter the series as amateurs and graduate with a fully pro SCCA driving license. That's really a part of the series that we want to make sure that the young driver has that chance to become a true professional."
MARK POMBO: "It's fun, but it's crazy sometimes. You don't really know the people that you're next to that well when the series starts and you develop relationships. And just like anything else, people get reputations. So you kinda of have to figure out who you can and can't trust to be around." Being mindful of fuel economy is what makes this series so intriguing, this year, VW paired with gulf hydrocarbon, using their hyperfuels' synthetic diesel as the only fuel.
Promoting a cleaner environment is a motivator for a lot of the drivers of the series... THERESA CONDICT: "The green aspect of the racing was definitely a huge part of it that attracted me. The fact that they use the Hyperfuels B5 syndiesel, it's great. It's great the way they're promoting green racing." Volkswagen is also giving students at Virginia Tech University a chance to learn the tricks of the trade, and the pressures of a pit crew. Traveling the U.S, they get to know the TDI inside and out.
There were a ton of things to do for us non-drivers as well. I figure, since I can't get out on the real track, I might as well try my luck on the go kart track, but I still didn't get my racing fix on the go kart track, so I figured I'd take my hand at the video game. Back on the course, it's all business. Jetta after Jetta sped by with only one goal in mind - a win. And on this double race weekend, two rookies came out on top. Joey Atterbury, in the red bull number 14 taking race one and Jake Thompson in the Hitachi number 19 in race two. Still in the thick of this season, next year is shaping up to be even better.
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