Millville, NJ – It’s been a weekend full of challenges for the 26 drivers competing in the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Today’s race brought a whole new challenge: dry conditions.
After qualifying the previous day in extremely wet conditions requiring Pirelli rain tires, today’s sudden dry conditions turned the tables on the drivers, as they switched back to racing slicks for the first of two races on the 14-turn, 2.225-mile road course.
It was clear from the moment the race started the drivers would be taking advantage of the dry racing surface to put on a show of speed and fuel efficiency for the fans. Lap times during the race improved by nearly 10 seconds over qualifying times as a result of the new tires, and overtaking and passing throughout the field was some of the best seen so far this season.
Polesitter Andy Lee held on to the lead well into the race, building a nearly four second cushion at one point, but the trio of Jake Thompson, Timmy Megenbier and Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle became a growing presence in his mirrors as the race wore on, with three of the four drivers taking the lead in the battle for the podium in the closing moments of the race.
On lap 17, Sierra Lendle passed Lee for the lead going into turn one, but Lee was able to regain his position one lap later. Then, it was Thompson’s turn on lap 18, as he dove underneath Lee in Turn 1 to move into the lead with one lap left. The Calgary, Alberta native never looked back as he took the checkered flag in the #19 Oakley car for the second time this season. Lee placed second, with Megenbier taking third for his series-leading seventh podium finish of the season.
“What a crazy race today,” Thompson said. “My strategy coming it was to be cautious since none of us had been able to run on a dry track this weekend. At first, it felt like I was starting to go backwards, but then guys ahead of me started going off track a lot, so my patience was rewarded. About halfway through the race, it felt like I was stuck in fourth place, but I was eventually able to find a few spots on the track where I was better than the guys in front of me, and I timed my passes really well. After winning during our first race weekend, it’s great to finally get back to the top of the podium, and I hope to make the same climb tomorrow.”
The race results didn’t have a major impact on the Championship point standings. With two races to go, Megenbier has 306 points, which represents a 31-point lead over second place Lee (275). Joey Atterbury (255), Thompson (251) and Pombo (214) round out the top five spots.
“Unfortunately, I lost eight points of the lead I brought to New Jersey, but I’ve said all along that I just need solid finishes from here on out to win the Championship,” Megenbier said. “I would have loved to get the win, but now isn’t the time to get greedy. A podium is certainly good in my mind, and now I just need to repeat it tomorrow. The magic number for me tomorrow is 60. If I can gain some ground on Andy (Lee) and the others, the Championship will be mine tomorrow. It’s going to be tough, but I’m hoping for the best.”
Perhaps the real story of this race weekend though is the success of guest driver Matt Rebaud. Although it was his first time ever competing on four wheels, the Red Bull® sponsored freestyle motocross racer went from starting in 20th position to finishing 11th. Fellow guest driver and retired MLS player, Mike Ammann placed 21st after starting 26th.
“Today was awesome,” Rebeaud said. “It was my first race in a car, and after a really bad start, I was able to move up through the field and keep the car in once piece. I think 11th is great for my first race, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m starting ninth, so hopefully I’ll be able to improve on today’s result. Racing on four wheels is definitely a lot different than two, but I’m having a blast.”
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action at New Jersey Motorsports Park tomorrow for Round 9 at 10:55 am ET. Live timing and scoring is available at http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp.
New Jersey Motorsports Park Race #1 (Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup – Round 8):
Fin. Pos./St. Pos./Car Number/Driver/Hometown/Sponsor/Best Lap Time/Best Lap Speed
1 3 19 Jake Thompson(R)/Calgary/Alberta/CN/Oakley/ 1:32.967 / 87.127
2 1 27 Andy Lee/Maricopa/AZ/Castrol/ 1:33.598 / 86.540
3 5 17 Timmy Megenbier/Melrose Park/IL/Chicagoland VW/ 1:32.938 / 87.154
4 7 23 Juan Pablo SierraLendle/Puebla/MX/Castrol/ 1:32.883 / 87.206
5 2 14 Joey Atterbury(R)/Renton/WA/Hyperfuels/ 1:33.042 / 87.057
6 9 7 JD Mobley(R)/Castle Rock/CO/Bosch/ 1:33.538 / 86.595
7 15 4 Nicky Boulle(R)/Dallas/TX/DefNder/ 1:33.781 / 86.371
8 11 29 Devin Cates(R)/Broad Run/VA/HYPERFUELS/ 1:33.683 / 86.461
9 12 5 Ryan Ellis(R)/Ashburn/VA/VION/ 1:33.444 / 86.683
10 4 20 Mark Pombo/Duluth/GA/VW Parts & Accessories/ 1:33.174 / 86.934
20 10 Mat Rebaud(G)/Payerne/Switzerland/Red Bull/ 1:34.176 / 86.009
11 21 3 Taylor Broekemeier/Fort Collins/CO/Sherwin-Williams/ 1:33.520 86.612
12 14 24 Donny Warren(R)/Winchester/VA/Aggreko/ 1:33.690 86.455
13 17 30 Perry Richardson(R)/Los Gatos/CA/Pirelli/ 1:34.741 / 85.496
14 22 6 David Richert/Niverville/MB/CN/LAMIN-X/ 1:34.691 / 85.541
15 24 18 Kerstin Smutny(R)/Bothell/WA/iRacing.com/ 1:34.329 / 85.869
16 23 34 Juan Pablo Delgado(R)/Orizaba/VZ/MX/Red Bull/ 1:34.395 / 85.809
17 19 28 Rhett Tucker(R)/Cumming/GA/SCCA/ 1:34.262 / 85.930
18 13 15 Theresa Condict(R)/Lexington/MA/Bosch/ 1:34.318 / 85.879
19 25 32 Andrew Gun Tucker(R)/McDonough/GA/Pirelli/ 1:35.510 / 84.807
26 35 Mike Ammann(G)/Round Hill/VA/DC United/ 1:36.049 / 84.332
20 18 2 AJ Nealey(R)/Pasadena/MD/Brimtek/ 1:33.962 / 86.205
21 6 8 Derek Jones/Philadelphia/PA/Aggreko/Crash/ 1:33.386 / 86.736
22 8 22 Andrew Novich(R)/Novato/CA/Oakley/Crash/ 1:34.422 / 85.785
23 10 26 Andrew Cordeiro/Woodbridge/ON/CN/VION/ 0 / no time
24 16 16 Eric Morse(R)/Pittsburgh/PA/Amplify/ Crash / no time
(R) – Jetta TDI Cup Rookie Driver
(G) – Guest 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 to more than $50,000 in prize money at stake during the season, 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, Sherwin-Williams, Chicagoland VW, Safety-Kleen, Ringer Gloves, Jim Russell Racing School and Trellis Earth.
Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series action on:
www.vwmotorsportusa.com
www.tditruthanddare.com
SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Live Timing & Scoring
Volkswagen Online Newsroom
Facebook
Twitter
Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-12-2009/0005092664&EDATE=
Related Links:
TDI Truth
TDI Dare
See all VW TDI vehicles
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