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News:
This will be the page where I will keep updated information on both my racing results as well as some of my unique hobbies.
Check back often!
May 5th, 2008: Please visit http://www.vw.com/vwhype/motorsport/en/us/#/jetta_tdi_cup/
to stay up to date on series news and see driver profiles, or click HERE. April 16th, 2008: I
will definitely be keeping things a little more updated as my schedule settles down a bit; in the last few weeks I have been
in Chicago, Costa Rica, Arizona, Las Vegas and in the next few weeks I will be in Long Beach, Virginia and Canada. Now
I understand why most people who are doing what I am are not in college, but you gotta love UCSB. The biggest news for
me in recent weeks comes from my trip to Pheonix, AZ. I was invited out to attend by Volkswagen for a driver search
in which they were going to select 30 up and coming young drivers to take part in their VW Jetta TDI Cup series. It was a fairly exhaustive driver selection process which took four days; it included media
tests, fitness tests, written tests, time trials in karts, street cars and race cars. They had some pretty impressive
talent there watching us every step of the way including former grand prix driver Tommy Byrne, Grand-Am ace Jan Heylen, off-road
racers Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero, among others. It was really great to be able to work with these guys and am looking
forward to a great season with them. It was truly an impressive show by VW and it is very apparent that this is a factory
backed effort; everything from there F-1 style hospitality tent to their VW stamped waffles. I am really looking forward
to this series and hope to figure out this front wheel drive business and take a shot at that $250,000! Here is the
official press release that VW sent out the other day:  VOLKSWAGEN
SELECTS DRIVERS FOR ALL-NEW JETTA TDI CUP RACE SERIES Thirty up-and-coming
drivers to launch new environmentally responsible race series AUBURN
HILLS, Mich.– Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today the selection of 30 drivers to compete
in the all-new Jetta TDI Cup series. The drivers were chosen at a driver selection event April 3-6 at the Firebird Raceway
in Phoenix, Ariz. “We’re offering a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest drivers to
get their start in a factory-backed racing series,” said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Through
an exhausting driver evaluation process, we looked at a variety of factors including driving ability and potential, media
and communication skills and overall fit, to choose the 30 best drivers to help promote Volkswagen and the introduction of
our all-new 50-state clean diesel Jetta TDI, and ultimately themselves.” The 30 drivers are:
Chad Brassfield, 20, Phoenix, Ariz. Caleb Kenney, 22, Berkeley, Calif. Gary Williams Jr.,
26, Dana Point, Calif. Ryan Buetzer, 25, Long Beach, Calif. Evan Pflock, 20, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Andy Lee, 25, Colorado Springs, Colo. Jimmy Underhill, 21, Denver, Colo Taylor Broekemeier, 21,
Fort Collins, Colo. Josh Hurley, 23, Cooper City, Fla. Mark Pombo, 25, Duluth, Ga. Timmy
Megenbier, 16, Melrose Park, Ill. Nick Mancuso, 21, Mettawa, Ill. Adam Love, 21, Normal, Ill.
David Richert, 25, Niverville, MB, Canada Chris Castagna, 22, S. Boston, Mass. Michael DeNino,
18, Gaithersburg, Md. Chris Kuenning, 20, Grand Rapids, Mich. Noah Arundel, 27, Tonka Bay, Minn.
John Shim, 22, Starkville, Miss. Adam Crepin, 20, St. Louis, Mo. Jake Dallenbach, 18, Charlotte,
N.C. Adam Kretschmer, 21, Brampton, ON, Canada Andrew Cordeiro, 24, Woodbridge, ON, Canada Chris
Holman, 20, Burlington, ON, Canada James Kirkham, 23, Beaverton, Ore. Derek Jones, 24, Philadelphia,
Penn. David Jurca, 22, Federal Way, Wash. Liam Kenney, 16, Sterling, Va. Juan
Pablo Sierra Lendle, 23, Puebla, Mexico Wyatt Dallenbach, 16, San Antonio, Texas
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series is an innovative approach to motorsports – 30 factory-prepared and managed
2009 Jetta TDI clean-diesels will be piloted by talented, up-and-coming drivers, ages 16 to 26. Volkswagen’s goal is
to find the driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports. The Jetta TDI Cup
series is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc. The concept is as revolutionary
as the car, which is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI, clean diesel engine. The Jetta TDI is lightly modified from
spec, featuring race-ready suspension and brakes, and a six-speed double-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Additionally,
to highlight its environmental dedication Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as
carbon free. “With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers
and expand their knowledge about clean, quiet and powerful diesel technology,” said Robert Wildberger, president and
CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. “We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers
and advantages of diesel power.” In the end, the winner of the race series will be awarded $100,000 from
Volkswagen to aid them in their next steps as a professional racer. An additional $150,000 will be given to the winner if
he or she signs a contract with a professional level team within six months of winning the Jetta TDI Cup series.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Schedule | Date
| Track |
With | | April
25-27 | VIRginia International Raceway
| Grand-Am / SPEED Touring Car |
| May 17-18 |
Mosport International Raceway | Canadian
Touring Car / MX-5 Cup | | Aug
14-17 | Lime Rock Park |
NASCAR Camping World Series |
| Sept. 19-20 |
Iowa Speedway | USAR Hooters Pro Cup
| | Sept. 27-28
| New Jersey Motorsports Park* |
SPEED World Challenge/ARCA |
| Oct. 1-3 |
Road Atlanta | ALMS / SPEED World Challenge
| Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered
in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately
600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com. February 19th, 2008: In
the past two weeks I was not only honored by the Sports Car Club America with the Jim Fitzgerald
Rookie of the Year award (for the entire US!), but I was also fortunate enough to be interviewed and published in their
magazine Sportscar. I recently accepted this award in San Antonio, Texas and
just want to reiterate how appreciative I am and it is nice to know that people are recognizing the hard work I put in to
perform well on-track.
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