Press Releases
11 September 2009
Lee and Pombo Claim Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Poles at at Wet New jersey Motorsports Park
Round 8 to begin tomorrow at 3:30 pm ET
Millville, NJ — A weather system moved into New Jersey overnight that brought considerable moisture to the area surrounding New Jersey Motorsports Park. A driving rain greeted the drivers this morning and delayed practice on the 14-turn, 2.225-mile road course. However, the 26 participants competing in this weekend's two SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup races took to the track shortly after noon for practice and two qualifying sessions.
While the track remained wet because of an intermittent drizzle, the series technicians outfitted the clean diesel Jetta TDI's with the grooved Pirelli rain tires to help the drivers deal with the slick conditions. While a majority of the drivers remained safe during the session, guest driver Mike Ammann and series regular Andrew Gunn Tucker both encountered problems in Turn 1 after making contact with the tire barriers. When the checkered flag fell on the session, it was Andy Lee topping the speed charts in the #27 Castrol Syntec car with a time of 1:44.789 (77.289 mph), marking his second pole position of the season. Timmy Megenbier and Jake Thompson rounded out the top three spots.
The rain dissipated for the afternoon session, but left behind many puddles and standing water when the drivers went back out on the track for the first of two qualifying sessions. Several drivers, including Joey Atterbury, Thompson and Lee took turns at the top of the leader board. However, it was Lee who once again had the quick lap of 1:43.938 (77.931 mph) when Theresa Condict impacted the tire barrier in Turn 8 ending the session. Atterbury and Thompson rounded out the top three spots for tomorrow's race, but the competition was extremely tight. The top 12 drivers on the speed charts were all within one second of Lee's time.
"The conditions really made today very challenging," Lee said. "There was so much water on the track today that I was hydroplaning a bit on each lap. However, I think we saw the drivers who were doing the best job managing this obstacle were the ones who ended up the fastest. Timmy (Megenbier) and I were battling pretty hard during the first qualifying session, and I think we both thought that we would pull each other along to run faster, but that wasn't the case. Once we separated, we both got faster, and thankfully, I was able to run a quick lap before the end of the session. The rest of the weekend is going to be very interesting, but I'm hoping for the best."
The second qualifying session was reminiscent of the series' last race at Mosport where fog and drizzle plagued the area. Like in Canada, it was Mark Pombo who best battled the elements to claim the pole position with for Round 9 on Sunday with a time of 1:43.209 (788.481 mph). This marks the second time this season that he has put the #20 VW Parts & Accessories car on the top of the qualifying charts. Thompson and Andrew Novich rounded out the top three for Sunday's race. This is Novich's best starting position of the season.
"The second qualifying session was redemption for me," Pombo said. "I was fast in the first session, but I felt that I left a little bit on the table, and I was disappointed with myself. I went out there and got after it early and was .7 seconds ahead of the rest of the field, so I pulled it into the garage with about 15 minutes to go in qualifying. I thought that I was safely on top, and I didn't want to risk damaging the car, so I thought it was best to park it. A few guys started to get close, and I thought about going back out, but thankfully my time held up."
Two guest drivers joined the series regulars on the track today. Freestyle motocross rider, Mat Rebeaud was the standout, qualifying 20th and 9th for the weekend's two races.
"Today was an awesome experience for me considering I've never raced a car before," Rebeaud said. "The rain really added to the challenge, but I felt that I was able to improve throughout the day. I started out around 20th on the speed charts, and by the end of the day, I was able to move up considerably. I'm super happy with how things ended up, and I can't wait to race tomorrow."
Former MLS all star and retired DC United goalie, Mike Ammann's accident in practice forced him to miss the first qualifying session. However, the series mechanics worked to repair his car, and he was able to qualify 25th for Sunday's race.
"It was a little rough for me out there today," Ammann said. "I've spent some time in the Jetta TDI Cup car, but it was on a dry track. I got a little too aggressive going into turn one during practice, hydroplaned and my back end came around on me. Unfortunately, I tore the car up a bit, but the guys were great getting me put back together for the second qualifying session. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a little less eventful than today, and I'll be able to bring home a solid result."
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action at New Jersey Motorsports Park tomorrow for Round 8 at 3:30 pm ET. Round 9, the second race of the weekend begins Sunday at 10:55 am. Live timing and scoring is available at chttp://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp.
Friday Practice Session:
Position/Car Number/Driver/Hometown/Sponsor/Time/Speed
1 27 Andy Lee/Maricopa/AZ/Castrol/ 1:44.789 / 77.298
2 17 Timmy Megenbier/Melrose Park/IL/Chicagoland VW/ 1:44.993 / 77.148
3 19 Jake Thompson(R)/Calgary/Alberta/CN Oakley/ 1:45.296 / 76.926
4 22 Andrew Novich(R)/Novato/CA/Oakley/ 1:45.467 / 76.801
5 20 Mark Pombo/Duluth/GA VW Parts & Accessories/ 1:45.721 / 76.616
6 24 Donny Warren(R)/Winchester/VA/Aggreko/ 1:46.056 / 76.374
7 4 Nicky Boulle(R)/Dallas/TX/Defnder/ 1:46.228 / 76.251
8 14 Joey Atterbury(R)/Renton/WA/Hyperfuels/ 1:46.342 / 76.169
9 2 AJ Nealey(R)/Pasadena/MD/Brimtek/ 1:46.383 / 76.140
10 15 Theresa Condict(R)/Lexington/MA/Bosch/ 1:46.431 / 76.105
11 5 Ryan Ellis(R)/Ashburn/VA/VION/ 1:46.537 / 76.030
12 16 Eric Morse(R)/Pittsburgh/PA/Amplify/ 1:46.622 / 75.969
13 26 Andrew Cordeiro/Woodbridge/Ont/CN/VION/ 1:46.689 / 75.921
14 7 JD Mobley(R)/Castle Rock/CO/Bosch/ 1:46.726 / 75.895
15 8 Derek Jones/Philadelphia/PA/Aggreko/ 1:46.978 / 75.716
16 23 Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle/Puebla/MX/Castrol/ 1:47.097 / 75.632
17 29 Devin Cates(R)/Broad Run/VA/HYPERFUELS/ 1:47.178 / 75.575
18 10 Mat Rebaud(G)/Payerne/Switzerland /Red Bull/ 1:47.278 / 75.504
19 28 Rhett Tucker(R)/Cumming/GA/SCCA/ 1:47.736 / 75.183
20 18 Kerstin Smutny(R)/Bothell/WA/iRacing.com/ 1:47.787 / 75.148
21 3 Taylor Broekemeier/Fort Collins/CO/Sherwin-Williams/ 1:47.807 / 75.134
22 6 David Richert/Niverville/MB/CN/LAMIN-X/ 1:48.101 / 74.930
23 30 Perry Richardson(R)/Los Gatos/CA/Pirelli/ 1:48.201 / 74.860
24 34 Juan Pablo Delgado(R)/Orizaba/VZ/MX/Red Bull/ 1:48.375 / 74.740
25 35 Mike Ammann(G)/Round Hill/VA/DC United/ 1:59.194 / 67.956
26 32 Andrew Gun Tucker(R)/McDonough/GA/Pirelli/ 2:00.168 / 67.405
(R) – Jetta TDI Cup Rookie Driver
(G) – Guest Driver
Friday Qualifying Session (Round 8):
Position/Car Number/Driver/Hometown/Sponsor/Time/Speed
1 27 Andy Lee/Maricopa/AZ/Castrol/ 1:43.938 / 77.931
2 14 Joey Atterbury(R)/Renton/WA/Hyperfuels/ 1:44.002 / 77.883
3 19 Jake Thompson(R)/Calgary/Alberta/CN/Oakley/ 1:44.066 / 77.835
4 20 Mark Pombo/Duluth/GA/VW Parts & Accessories/ 1:44.080 / 77.824
5 17 Timmy Megenbier/Melrose Park/IL/Chicagoland VW/ 1:44.282 / 77.674
6 8 Derek Jones/Philadelphia/PA/Aggreko/ 1:44.653 / 77.398
7 23 Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle/Puebla/MX/Castrol/ 1:44.662 / 77.392
8 22 Andrew Novich(R)/Novato/CA/Oakley/ 1:44.740 / 77.334
9 7 JD Mobley(R)/Castle Rock/CO/Bosch/ 1:44.761 / 77.318
10 26 Andrew Cordeiro/Woodbridge/ON/CN/VION/ 1:44.803 / 77.287
11 29 Devin Cates(R)/Broad Run/VA/HYPERFUELS/ 1:44.879 / 77.231
12 5 Ryan Ellis(R)/Ashburn/VA/VION/ 1:44.894 / 77.220
13 15 Theresa Condict(R)/Lexington/MA/Bosch/ 1:44.973 / 77.162
14 24 Donny Warren(R)/Winchester/VA/Aggreko/ 1:45.077 / 77.086
15 4 Nicky Boulle(R)/Dallas/TX/Defnder/ 1:45.129 / 77.048
16 16 Eric Morse(R)/Pittsburgh/PA/Amplify/ 1:45.150 / 77.032
17 30 Perry Richardson(R)/Los Gatos/CA/Pirelli/ 1:45.183 / 77.008
18 2 AJ Nealey(R)/Pasadena/MD/Brimtek/ 1:45.254 / 76.956
19 28 Rhett Tucker(R)/Cumming/GA/SCCA/ 1:45.262 / 76.950
20 10 Mat Rebaud(G)/Payerne/Switzerland/Red Bull/ 1:45.450 / 76.813
21 3 Taylor Broekemeier/Fort Collins/CO/Sherwin-Williams/ 1:45.650 / 76.668
22 6 David Richert/Niverville/MB/CN/LAMIN-X/ 1:46.011 / 76.407
23 34 Juan Pablo Delgado(R)/Orizaba/VZ/MX/Red Bull/ 1:46.068 / 76.366
24 18 Kerstin Smutny(R)/Bothell/WA/iRacing.com/ 1:46.597 / 75.987
25 32 Andrew Gun Tucker(R)/McDonough/GA/Pirelli/ 1:47.889 / 75.077
26 35 Mike Ammann(G)/Round Hill/VA/DC United/ no time
(R) – Jetta TDI Cup Rookie Driver
(G) – Guest Driver
Friday Qualifying Session (Round 9):
Position/Car Number/Driver/Hometown/Sponsor/Time/Speed
1 20 Mark Pombo/Duluth/GA/VW Parts & Accessories/ 1:43.209 / 78.481
2 19 Jake Thompson(R)/Calgary/Alberta/CN/Oakley/ 1:43.321 / 78.396
3 22 Andrew Novich(R)/Novato/CA/Oakley/ 1:43.684 / 78.122
4 14 Joey Atterbury(R)/Renton/WA/Hyperfuels/ 1:43.685 / 78.121
5 17 Timmy Megenbier/Melrose Park/IL/Chicagoland VW/ 1:43.977 / 77.901
6 29 Devin Cates(R)/Broad Run/VA/HYPERFUELS/ 1:44.024 / 77.866
7 27 Andy Lee/Maricopa/AZ/Castrol/ 1:44.101 / 77.809
8 28 Rhett Tucker(R)/Cumming/GA/SCCA/ 1:44.411 / 77.578
9 10 Mat Rebaud(G)/Payerne/Switzerland/Red Bull/ 1:44.442 / 77.555
10 23 Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle/Puebla/MX/Castrol/ 1:44.480 / 77.526
11 4 Nicky Boulle(R)/Dallas/TX/Defnder/ 1:44.530 / 77.489
12 3 Taylor Broekemeier/Fort Collins/CO/Sherwin-Williams/ 1:44.566 / 77.463
13 5 Ryan Ellis(R)/Ashburn/VA/VION/ 1:44.609 / 77.431
14 7 JD Mobley(R)/Castle Rock/CO/Bosch/ 1:44.674 / 77.383
15 24 Donny Warren(R)/Winchester/VA/Aggreko/ 1:44.718 / 77.350
16 8 Derek Jones/Philadelphia/PA/Aggreko/ 1:44.906 / 77.212
17 18 Kerstin Smutny(R)/Bothell/WA/iRacing.com/ 1:44.999 / 77.143
18 6 David Richert/Niverville/MB/CN/LAMIN-X/ 1:45.182 / 77.009
19 16 Eric Morse(R)/Pittsburgh/PA/Amplify/ 1:45.295 / 76.926
20 26 Andrew Cordeiro/Woodbridge/ON/CN/VION/ 1:45.314 / 76.912
21 30 Perry Richardson(R)/Los Gatos/CA/Pirelli/ 1:45.553 / 76.738
22 2 AJ Nealey(R)/Pasadena/MD/Brimtek/ 1:45.576 / 76.722
23 34 Juan Pablo Delgado(R)/Orizaba/VZ/MX/Red Bull/ 1:45.936 / 76.461
24 32 Andrew Gun Tucker(R)/McDonough/GA/Pirelli/ 1:47.890 / 75.076
25 35 Mike Ammann(G)/Round Hill/VA/DC United/ 1:48.816 / 74.437
26 15 Theresa Condict(R)/Lexington/MA/Bosch/ 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:
- http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp
- 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 Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 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.
SCCA Pro Racing
A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. is a leading sanctioning body for motorsports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing operates and sanctions the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, as well as provides sanctioning and various operational services for other racing series. For more information, please visit www.sccapro.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Hoover
Office: (440) 540-4670 / Mobile: (440) 258-2462
ahoover@automotive-events.com
