2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
Volkswagen Academy Become Part of Racing Circuit
UTI’s Volkswagen Academy Technician Recruitment Program (VATRP) students are about to become members of one of the most exciting teams in town. Throughout 2008, select Academy students will be working as “pit crew” members for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racing series.
The Jetta TDI Cup allows Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology with 30 factory prepared and managed clean-diesel Jetta TDIs, piloted by amateur drivers aged 16 to 26, who are relative unknowns in the industry. With eight races beginning on North American race tracks this spring, Volkswagen’s goal is to find the driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports.
The concept is as revolutionary as the car. At the heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. Additionally, to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free.
Paul Kern, Volkswagen Education Supervisor at UTI’s Rancho Cucamonga, California, campus believes it’s an exciting time to be an Academy student. Twelve students and two instructors will be selected to attend every race to perform a variety of “pit crew” duties before, during and after each race. Some of the likely duties include driving the cars from the staging area to the pit area, replacing tires, prepping the cars, reconditioning the cars and servicing the cars after each race.
“Using Academy students as technicians for the Jetta TDI Cup series is a great opportunity and gift from Volkswagen. Our students are excited because it takes them outside of the classroom and into a real world experience. Since only qualifying students are able to attend a race, there is a lot of healthy competition at the campuses now. Students are motivated and morale has increased,” said Paul.
Throughout racing season, students with the highest grades and hands-on ability will be selected from both the Rancho Cucamonga, California and Exton, Pennsylvania, Academy programs. They will spend three days soaking in the spirit of the racing circuit and using their technical knowledge to assist with the maintenance of the racecars. The twelve technicians invited to attend the first Jetta TDI Cup race in Virginia are:
From the Rancho Cucamonga campus:
Gabriel Castillo, Thomas Richardson, Alan Perreault, Nicholas Roen, Eric Norwood, Ramiro Sanchez-Mendoza
From the Exton campus:
James Auge, MichaelBoos, William Fravel, Gregg White, Joshua Somers, Nathan Raines
“The opportunity to take our technicians to these races is just a huge win for our program,” said Paul. “I know they are all going to go out and represent the UTI Volkswagen Academy very well. I am looking forward to seeing their training and talent put to work.”
See you at the races!
2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Upcoming Events:
April 25-27 Virginia International Raceway Grand-Am/ SPEED Touring Car
May 17-18 Mosport International Raceway Canadian Touring Car/ MX-5 Cup
July 4 - 6 Grand Prix of Toronto Champ Car
Aug 14-17 Lime Rock Park NASCAR Camping World Series
Sept. 19-20 Iowa Speedway USAR Hooters Pro Cup
Sept. 27-28 New Jersey Motorsports Park* SPEED World Challenge/ARCA
Oct. 1-3 Road Atlanta ALMS / SPEED World Challenge