Kart racers can qualify for TDI Cup
Volkswagen will provide aspiring racers with CRG Kali Karts like this. (VW)
For most of us, dreams of becoming a professional race car driver are just that – dreams.
Now Volkswagen is offering any North American resident between ages 16 and 26 a (somewhat) affordable opportunity to race locally with the potential to go national - in its Jetta TDI Cup - from a series of six karting qualifying events at Boston’s F1 outdoor facility in East Bridgewater.
The events will be held on July 14, July 27, August 3, August 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 12. A race entry fee of $995 is required upon entry and includes a day of kart qualifying with Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup driving instructors.
Competition will be in identically prepared CRG Kali Karts with Rotax motors. The top 10 finishers at each qualifier can move on to a finals event in February 2010.
Karting has been the first step for many top drivers, including legendary Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
"Professional motorsports has traditionally been a difficult sport for someone to get into without considerable family or sponsor support, but we’re trying to change that," said Jan Heylen, Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Driving Instructor. "These karting events are being hosted at a relatively low cost for participants and they give us an opportunity to evaluate future driver candidates. They also give driver hopefuls a chance to see if they have what it takes to climb the professional motorsports ladder."
(VW)
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 (ages 16-26) compete in 10 events on eight road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared and maintained clean diesel Jetta TDIs. Each driver competing in the series earns a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season. In addition to the $50,000 prize money purse at stake during the season, the series champion will win $100,000.
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