Niche Bloc » WSR

Turkington’s BTCC future in doubt

Diopannuand — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:47:34 +0000

Reigning champion Colin Turkington’s future in the British Touring Car Championship is in doubt due to RAC’s decision to scale back its support for the WSR BMW squad that took the Northern Irishman to the title.

Turkington, 27, has spent all but one of his eight BTCC seasons with Dick Bennetts’ squad, but said that with the team still chasing a title sponsor for 2010, he may have to look elsewhere.

“I’m not really sure what I’ll be doing this year,” he told this week’s AUTOSPORT magazine. “With WSR not having RAC as title sponsor, there’s a budget shortfall and understandably they can’t progress until that gap is filled.

“I’m just having to keep my options open. I’m looking at BTCC, WTCC and the European Touring Car Cup, as are the team, but for me I’m not prioritising one championship over another.

“I’d love to stay with WSR, but I know there are guys out there with money who might be hard to turn down.”

AUTOSPORT understands that Turkington has received offers from WTCC independent frontrunners Wiechers-Sport and Proteam. While he would not confirm this, he did say: “I have some interesting offers on the table, but I have to think long and hard about my next move, because it will be a very important one for my career.”

Additional Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Broadcast Dates Released

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

HERNDON, Va. (Dec. 16, 2009) – Beginning January 18, the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup documentary, “Racing Under Green” will begin airing on the Discovery Communications networks. Additionally, broadcast dates and times for the remainder of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race season on SPEED have been set.

“Racing Under Green,” a one-hour documentary film about the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season will air multiple times across Discovery Communications networks. A preview of the documentary is already available online, as Volkswagen has released the long-form trailer on YouTube. To view the trailer, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnHaIVGou8U.

2009 “Racing Under Green” Documentary Film Broadcast Schedule
(All times Eastern, check local listings for channel information)

January 18th @ 2 a.m. on Discovery Channel (Premiere)
January 19th @ 9 p.m. on Planet Green
January 22nd @ 7 a.m. on Science Channel
January 24th @ 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on HD Theater
January 25th @ 6 p.m. on HD Theater
January 29th @ 3 p.m. and 5 a.m. on HD Theater
January 30th @ 8 a.m. on HD Theater

Race coverage of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season has already been airing on SPEED TV. Three more broadcasts are now scheduled for the coming weeks (all times Eastern, check local listings for channel information):

December 20th @ 5:30 p.m. – Race #7, Mosport International Raceway
January 3rd @ 6 p.m. – Race #8 & #9, New Jersey Motorsports Park
January 3rd @ 6:30 p.m. – Race #10, Road Atlanta

About Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
The SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was launched in 2008 as way to introduce clean diesel technology to the U.S. market and develop the best of motorsport’s up-and-coming talent. During the season, young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) compete on road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDI’s. Each driver competing in the series earns 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 receives Volkswagen factory career advancement support with a value up to $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.

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Additional Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Broadcast Dates Released

Additional Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Broadcast Dates Released

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

2009 “Racing Under Green” Documentary Film Broadcast Schedule
(All times Eastern, check local listings for channel information)

December 20th @ 5:30 p.m. – Race #7, Mosport International Raceway
January 3rd @ 6 p.m. – Race #8 & #9, New Jersey Motorsports Park
January 3rd @ 6:30 p.m. – Race #10, Road Atlanta

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Additional Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Broadcast Dates Released

Volkswagen Announces “Racing Under Green” Broadcast Schedule

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

HERNDON, Va. (Dec. 14, 2009) – In motorsports, there’s more to the action than what’s seen on the track by fans. Beginning the week of January 18, all of the behind-the-scenes drama of the country’s only professional clean diesel racing series will hit national television with a documentary on the season, titled “Racing Under Green.”

The 60-minute documentary takes an inside look at all of the elements that make the series unique. During the season, a broadcast crew followed the series’ 25 drivers and key leadership on track and off to capture the personalities behind the wheel of the equally-prepared Jetta TDI Cup racecars. The documentary was shot in high definition and also explores the environmentally-friendly aspects of the series, from biodiesel blends used to power the cars on the racetrack to the series’ support of CarbonFund.org. The documentary will air at various times on Discovery Communications’ Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Planet Green, and HD Theater from January 18-31. Check local cable listings for channel information and broadcast times.

“We’re really pleased with the broadcast products that have been produced on the 2009 series, and I think that it’s going to make for some great TV,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The film crew followed some of our drivers to their hometowns, so viewers will get to see many of the drivers’ stories away from the race track. There are also many behind-the-scenes elements of our series that even people who are at the racetrack don’t see, and these broadcasts will really let people take a look inside the Jetta TDI Cup.”

Volkswagen is currently accepting driver applications for the 2010 season at www.vwmotorsportusa.com. Potential driver candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of January 1, 2010 and hold a passport from the U.S., Canada or Mexico. In addition, drivers entering the series for the first time must not have competed in any professional racing series regardless of location. Applicants must submit their application along with a season entry fee of $45,000 by December 11, 2009 in order to be considered as a candidate. The entry fee will be fully refunded to those not chosen as a 2010 series driver.

From the driver applications, up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held February 7-9 in Las Vegas. This event will determine the 25-driver lineup for the 2010 season. The final driver selection event includes three days of professional driving instruction, autocross competition, track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car, physical fitness training, a sponsorship development workshop, marketing and media training, and Volkswagen brand familiarization.

Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series action on:

www.vwmotorsportusa.com

www.tditruthanddare.com

Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VWJettaTDICup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup

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Volkswagen Announces “Racing Under Green” Broadcast Schedule

Leal completes Draco’s 2010 line-up

francislollie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:54:05 +0000

Omar Julian Leal will complete the Draco team’s line-up for the 2010 season in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship.

The 19-year-old will partner French Formula Renault 2.0 graduate Nathanael Berthon in the team next year.

“I am really very happy to have received from Draco the opportunity to compete with them next season WSR and I thank Adriano and Nadia Morini for this occasion,” said Leal, who raced in the series with the Prema team in 2009.

“They deservedly won the Championship and I am in my second year in this category so I want to capitalize on the experience I gathered in this season and at the same time I will use all the weapons that a team like Draco can offer me.

“I am very motivated and I will give my best to achieve the aims I have set, I point in all the races for the positions that really matter.

“After my first season in a well fought and professional category as the WSR and waiting for the new one, I thank first of all my father and my entire family to their support, my manager and especially my sponsors without whom none of this would be possible.

“Finally, once again my new team because it is an honor for me to be a Draco Driver. I hope to repay their expectations.”

McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC: D. Smith

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:36:54 +0000

Formula Renault UK champion Dean Smith has won a Formula 1 test with McLaren after being named as the 21st winner of the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award.

Smith, who also gets £50,000, full membership of the BRDC, a TW Steel watch, and Puma racewear for a year, was revealed as the winner at the AUTOSPORT Awards in London on Sunday night.

He was presented with the Award by the last three British world champions – Jenson Button, on behalf of AUTOSPORT, Lewis Hamilton, on behalf of McLaren, and Damon Hill, on behalf of the BRDC.

Smith, who is the first previous nominee to win the award, said: “The first time I was here for this, I was so nervous and very disappointed I didn’t get it.

“I’ve worked so hard this year and this is the culmination of everything. Next year I’m hoping to do GP3 and this will go some way to helping with the budget.”

Smith, 21, beat fellow Formula Renault star James Calado, Star Mazda champion Adam Christodoulou, European F3 Open frontrunner Callum MacLeod, and British Formula Ford aces James Cole and Chrissy Palmer to the prize after a number of tests, including driving a Carlin F3 Dallara and Team RAC/WSR BMW at Silverstone.

Former recipients of the award include 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button, former grand prix winner David Coulthard and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti.

This year’s judging panel included 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and former McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winners Anthony Davidson and Jamie Green.

National Racing Driver: Colin Turkington

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:09:50 +0000

Colin Turkington has been named as National Driver of the Year at the 2009 AUTOSPORT Awards in London.

The 27-year-old Northern Irishman, who won his maiden British Touring Car Championship title this year, beat off the likes of Jason Plato and Daniel Ricciardo to take the prize.

The WSR BMW driver, who sealed his title in a last-round, three-way shoot-out at Brands Hatch with Plato and Fabrizio Giovanardi, received his prize from three-time WTCC champion Andy Priaulx.

Turkington said: “I think that the last day of the season at Brands Hatch was the most nervous of my career, and having led it from the halfway point of the season, it was really up in the air with the battle with Fabrizio.

“I was determined that I would be the winner and the team gave me such a fantastic car that it was for all of us. [WSR team boss] Dick Bennetts has been trying to win this title since 1996 and I’ve been with him since 2002, so it’s a real team effort.”

With 2009 marking the WSR’s third season with BMW machinery, Turkington, a former MG and Vauxhall works driver, added steel to his driving. It transformed him from occasional race-winner to title contender in one step.

Combined with the most competitive machinery yet – WSR having used its experience to find the sweet spot of the rear-wheel drive machine – he swept to six wins, including doubles at Oulton Park and Croft that took him to the head of the points, and held his nerve at Brands Hatch to seal the crown.

21st Award winner to be crowned

lassarfaskelp — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:23:12 +0000

One young driver will get the chance to test a McLaren Formula 1 car when the winner of the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award is announced tonight.

The 21st winner of the award get £50,000, full BRDC membership, and Puma racewear for a year, as well as the test with the multiple title-winning squad.

Formula Renault UK stars James Calado and Dean Smith, American Star Mazda champion Adam Christodoulou, European F3 Open frontrunner Callum MacLeod, and British Formula Ford aces James Cole and Chrissy Palmer were chosen by a panel of judges to compete for the prize.

The six drove Carlin Formula 3 Dallaras and a WSR BMW 320si British Touring Car on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit last month to be assessed. They also underwent fitness tests at the Porsche Human Performance Centre and interviews at McLaren’s Technology Centre in Woking.

The winner will be announced at the AUTOSPORT Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London this evening.

Former recipients of the award include reigning F1 world champion Jenson Button, former grand prix winner David Coulthard and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti.

This year’s judging panel included 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and former McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winners Anthony Davidson and Jamie Green.

Volkswagen Announces 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Schedule

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Herndon, VA (Dec. 3, 2009) – With the second successful season of the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup in the rearview mirror, series officials have begun making preparations for the 2010 season. Today, Volkswagen announced the 10-race schedule for next year, which includes six of the circuits from the 2009 schedule and the series’ first visit to Mexico.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup schedule includes:

Rounds 1 & 2 – April 23-25 – VIRginia International Raceway (Alton, VA)*
Round 3 – May 8-9 – New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
Round 4 – June 5-6 – Miller Motorsports Park (Tooele, UT)
Round 5 – June 18-20 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, OH)
Round 6 – July 30-August 1 – Autobahn Country Club (Joliet, IL)
Rounds 7 & 8 – August 20-22 – Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)*
Rounds 9 & 10 – September/October TBD – Mexico TBD*
* – Indicates double-race weekends

“In building the 2010 schedule, we have been able to achieve a great mix of historic tracks and newer facilities in excellent geographic markets in North America,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “During the first two seasons of our series, we have clearly demonstrated the benefits of Volkswagen’s clean diesel TDI technology, and we’re looking forward to an exciting 2010 season.”

Follow the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series action on:
www.vwmotorsportusa.com
www.tditruthanddare.com
Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VWJettaTDICup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Golf, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

VW Announces 2009 Jetta TDI Cup TV Broadcast Schedule

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

HERNDON, Va. (Nov. 24, 2009) – The 2009 SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series produced many exciting moments, culminating with Timmy Megenbier’s Championship win. Beginning December 6, race broadcasts of the country’s only professional clean diesel racing series will begin airing on Speed-TV.

During the season, the series contested 10 races on eight circuits across North America. The 2009 campaign began with a double-race weekend at VIRginia International Raceway where two series rookies took home wins and concluded with a thrilling rain-drenched finish at Road Atlanta where local driver Mark Pombo won his final race in the series. The broadcast schedule for the first seven races of the season has been announced, and the final dates will be released at a later date. Each of the races will air in an edited 30-minute broadcast. Check local cable listings for channel information and www.speedtv.com for broadcast schedule updates.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup TV Broadcast Schedule* (all times Eastern):

December 6, 5 pm – VIRginia International Raceway – Race #1
December 6, 5:30 pm – VIRginia International Raceway – Race #2
December 6, 6 pm – Miller Motorsports Park – Race #3
December 6, 6:30 pm – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Race #4
December 13, 5 pm – Autobahn Country Club – Race #5
December 13, 5:30 pm – Road America – Race #6
December 20, 5:30 pm – Mosport International Raceway – Race #7

* Additional broadcasts dates will be announced at a later date.

In addition to the race broadcasts, the series also expects to announce the broadcast schedule for its season documentary, “Racing Under Green,” in the coming weeks. The 60-minute documentary will air on an array of Discovery Channel outlets and takes an inside look at the series to capture the personalities behind the wheel of the equally-prepared Jetta TDI Cup racecars. Exact broadcast dates and times will be announced at a later date.

Volkswagen is currently accepting driver applications for the 2010 season at www.vwmotorsportusa.com. Potential driver candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of January 1, 2010 and hold a passport from the U.S., Canada or Mexico. In addition, drivers entering the series for the first time must not have competed in any professional racing series regardless of location. Applicants must submit their application along with a season entry fee of $45,000 by Dec. 11 in order to be considered as a candidate. The entry fee will be fully refunded to those not chosen as a 2010 series driver.

From the driver applications, up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held Feb. 7-9, in Las Vegas. This event will determine the 25-driver lineup for the 2010 season. The final driver selection event includes three days of professional driving instruction, autocross competition, track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car, physical fitness training, a sponsorship development workshop, marketing and media training, and Volkswagen brand familiarization.

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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. Thttp://media.vw.com he 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

Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VWJettaTDICup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup

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VW Announces 2009 Jetta TDI Cup TV Broadcast Schedule