MOSPORT: Three guest drivers to join Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at Mosport

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP TO BE JOINED BY THREE GUEST DRIVERS AT MOSPORT... Guests include two award-winning journalists and Germany exchange driver

HERNDON, Va. (August 25, 2009) – This weekend, the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup will make its only trip to Canada to race at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario. When the series' 24 drivers take to the 10-turn, 2.459-mile road course, they'll be joined by three guest drivers including ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup driver Maximilian Hackländer and renowned Canadian automotive journalists, Jim Kenzie and Marc Lachapelle. The three guests will participate alongside the series regulars in all of the weekend's events that begin with practice on Saturday, August 29 and conclude with the race on Sunday, August 30 at 8:30 am ET.

Hackländer's participation in the race weekend is part of Volkswagen's driver exchange program where competitors from Volkswagen's other factory-supported, one-make cup series across the globe travel to other countries to race against international competition. Earlier this month, Jetta TDI Cup driver, Timmy Megenbier raced in Germany at Oschersleben in the Polo Cup where he finished seventh in the second race of the weekend.

"It will be a great pleasure for me to drive in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup because of the experience I will gain competing against international drivers," Hackländer said. "It's important for young drivers to get behind the wheel of as many cars as possible, and I haven't driven a diesel-powered racecar. So, I'm a bit unsure of what driving one will be like, but I'm looking forward to learning and making the most of this opportunity."

About the guest drivers:

Maximilian Hackländer – Hackländer is joining the series in Mosport as an exchange driver from the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup, the Jetta TDI Cup's sister series in Germany. The 19-year-old native of Rüthen, Germany is currently fifth in the Polo Cup Championship and is second in rookie points. His season-best third-place finish came in the Polo Cup's fourth race of the season at Norisring.

Jim Kenzie – Kenzie is native of Toronto and is one of Canada's foremost automotive journalists. He has been Chief Auto Reviewer for The Toronto Star's "Wheels" section, Canada's leading automotive publication, since its inception in 1986. He also appears on "Kenzie's Korner" on TSN'S "Motoring," Canada's most watched, most authoritative automotive television program. Kenzie's work also appears on the MSN Autos web site, and in a variety of Canadian and international outlets. He also has been an active motorsports participant for nearly 30 years, and has twice won the Open Category in the Targa Newfoundland rally.

Marc Lachapelle – Lachapelle, a Longueuil, Québec native, is an award-winning automotive journalist who developed the English and French-language automotive sites that were then called Carpoint Canada and are now known as Sympatico / MSN Autos. In 2008, Marc rejoined the team at Guide de l'auto where he works on the annual car buyer's guide as well as the television and magazine editions. He also writes for MSN Autos (in the US) as well as other sites and print media in Canada. Lachapelle also boasts a varied motorsports background, including most recently participating in the annual Targa Newfoundland rally in Canada. He also competed in Volkswagen's New Beetle Cup race in 2000 that was presented as a prelude to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montreal.

About the 2009 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, driver's 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: http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp

Volkswagen Online Newsroom: http://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 Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Tiguan and Touareg 2 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.

CONTACT: Adam Hoover – Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
(440) 540-4670 – office / (440) 258-2462 – mobile
ahoover@automotive-events.com