VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CUP KARTING QUALIFIERS WELCOMES TEN MORE FINALISTS TO COMPETE
AT FINAL DRIVER SELECTION EVENT

Ten additional finalists are selected to advance to the Final Driver Selection Event in Las Vegas, Nevada February 2010.

BOSTON, Mass. – The third karting qualifier of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was held on Saturday, November 14th, despite heavy rain and windy weather conditions. Seventeen drivers from all over the United States and Mexico competed in four timed sessions on CRG Kali Karts with Rotax engines at F1 Outdoor in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The ten finalists chosen on November 14th will now move on to compete at the Final Driver Selection event in Las Vegas in February, 2010. The results of that event will decide the field of 25 drivers for the 2010 season of the VW Jetta TDI Cup.

“I was impressed with the caliber of skill our drivers had for our third karting qualifier, states Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager of Volkswagen of America. “The rainy conditions could have proven to be disastrous, especially for the drivers with less experience. However, the drivers rose the challenge and made their way around the track fast and safe as they competed for the finalist positions at the end of the day. I am looking forward seeing them compete among the other finalists at our Final Driver Selection event in February.“

The finalists selected from the November 14th qualifier include:

Juan Arenas of South West Ranches, Florida Andrew Anderson of Bamberg, South Carolina Alex DeCuzzi of Brunswick, Ohio Phil DeLeo of Peoria, Arizona Travis Lowe of Pasadena, California John Miller of Chestertown, Maryland Mike Mineo-Nardacci of Huntington, New York Kyle Robertson of Ft Myers, Florida Colin Thompson of Perkasie, Pennsylvania Taylor Tzouanakis of Wauconda, Illinois

Three returning drivers from our 2009 season AJ Nealey of Edgewater, Maryland, JD Mobley of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Andrew Cordiero of Woodbridge, Ontario also participated in the karting qualifier and will be eligible to win their 2010 season fee for the top karter chosen to drive in the 2010 season.

“In our three qualifiers for the 2010 season, we have advanced drivers from all backgrounds in experience,” said Dennis McCormack, Program Director of the VW Jetta TDI Cup. “Some are nationally ranked in karting, while others have limited experience in a kart of any kind. We are still looking to schedule a fourth qualifier for the 2010 season and encourage anyone interested in competing to contact the VW Motorsport USA office.”

Finalists chosen on November 14th will move on to the Final Driver Selection Event to be held the first week of February, 2010. The final selection event includes three days of professional driving instruction, media and marketing training, a sponsorship development workshop, fitness training, Volkswagen brand familiarization, autocross sessions and track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car. At the end of the three day event, twenty five drivers will be named as our 2010 VW Jetta TDI Cup competitors. 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. Those interested in competing in a karting qualifier of the VW Jetta TDI Cup can contact the VW Motorsport USA office at 434.822.7909 or info@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.