VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP HOLDS FIRST KARTING QUALIFIER EVENT AT F1 OUTDOORS

First ten finalists are selected to advance to 2010 Final Driver Selection Event

BOSTON, Mass. – The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup held the first karting qualifier event on August 3rd at F1 Outdoors in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Registrants competed in timed qualifying sessions in identically prepared CRG Kali Karts with Rotax engines. The top ten finalists of each karting qualifier event will advance to the Final Driver Selection Event to be held in early February. The results of that selection process will then decide the field of 25 drivers for the 2010 season of the VW Jetta TDI Cup.

“I was please to see new drivers hoping to break into racing competing alongside of some of the best karters in the nation. All participants did a great job and I’m happy to have the first ten finalists selected for the 2010 Final Driver Selection Event,” said Jan Heylen, VW Jetta TDI Cup Driving Instructor.

The finalists selected from the August 3rd qualifier include:

Sonny Bazbas, Bellaire, Texas

Adam Crepin, St Louis, Missouri

Chris Cullen, Temecula, California

Ryan Elliott, Orlando, Florida

Oliver Naumovski, Gloucester, Massachusetts

Arie Ouimet, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Mark Pellegrini, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

AJ Severino, Hamilton, New Jersey

JJ Tomlinson, Park City, Utah

Darius Trinka, West Roxbury, Massachusetts

“It was an exciting day and we are very happy with the results of the first qualifier held at F1 Outdoors. The ten drivers chosen ranged from karters with extensive experience to drivers with little or no experience whatsoever. This demonstrates the great balance of our program where everyone has an opportunity to be selected as one of our final drivers of the series,” states Dennis McCormack, VW Jetta TDI Cup Program Director.

“It is encouraging to see the enthusiasm surrounding the series continues to grow every year. I am looking forward to our next qualifier event on September 21st as a new group of karters compete for the next ten finalist positions,” said Ryan Arciero, Volkswagen Factory Driver of Arciero Miller Racing.

Upcoming karting qualifier dates include September 21, 2009 and October 12, 2009. The Final Driver Selection Event, held in early February of 2010, includes three days of professional driving instruction, media and marketing training, a sponsorship development workshop, fitness training, Volkswagen brand familiarization, and sessions in autocross competition and track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car. The top karting finalist that is chosen as one of the 2010 drivers in the Jetta TDI Cup will win their $45,000 season fee. Information on the future karting qualifier events and the online application are available at www.volkswagenjettacup.com.

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is an SCCA sanctioned development series that takes 25 young, aspiring drivers and introduces them to the exciting world of motorsports. Competing on some of the most challenging road courses in North America, the Jetta Cup pays out over $50,000 in purse winnings, while the series champion takes home $100,000. All drivers who complete the season will also be awarded their SCCA Pro Racing license.