2009 marks the second season of competition for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, which is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. During the season, 30 young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) will compete in ten events on eight road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared Jetta TDI’s, powered by SynDiesel® B5 biodiesel provided by HYPERFUELS. The series champion will win $100,000. In addition, each driver competing in the series will earn a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season.

The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, 170 horsepower, 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.

Performance testing has proven that diesel powered vehicles offer 20 percent more torque than traditional gasoline engines, providing quicker off-the-line acceleration that’s well suited for the race track. In addition, the Jetta TDI engine’s use of a “common rail” direct injection system improves fuel economy by 24 percent. During the 2009 season, the Jetta TDI Cup cars will consume approximately two tanks of B5 biodiesel during the ten races and carbon emissions will be reduced by 2,583 pounds as a result of the move to biodiesel. All Volkswagen clean diesel Jetta TDI’s currently available at dealerships nationwide qualify for a $1,300 Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Income Tax Credit.

Following the same green consciousness off the track, the Jetta TDI Cup’s transport vehicles and generators will also run on biodiesel. In addition, the Volkswagen program uses biodegradable tableware, lounge furniture with high recycled content, energy-efficient lighting and water stations that reduce the reliance on plastic water bottles. The series also supports Carbonfund.org, the leading non-profit provider of carbon offsets. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org are able to reduce the series’ carbon footprint through reforestation efforts such as the Volkswagen Forest, located in northeast Louisiana. Finally, a racing series that is truly green start to finish.