HERNDON, VA (Nov. 12, 2009) After dominating the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup season, Timmy Megenbier has announced that he will travel to Europe to race a full season in the newly-announced Volkswagen Scirocco Cup in 2010. The 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Champion hopes to continue his climb of the motorsports ladder by competing against some of the top young drivers in Europe next season. Volkswagen Motorsport announced the creation of the Scirocco Cup, which will replace the ADAC Volkswagen Polo cup for 2010. The series will share race weekends with the European DTM series and feature Bio-Clean Natural Gas-powered Scirocco R models. The switch to the new fuel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent and creates the worlds most eco-friendly one-make racing series. The chance to race in Germany earlier this season was an opportunity of a lifetime for me, as it gave me a chance to see how my skills compare to drivers in Europe, Megenbier said. The racing there is definitely different than what we have in the U.S., so its going to require some racing style adjustments on my part. However, I think that the more that I can expose myself to different racing environments, the better Ill be in the end. Volkswagen is serious about young driver development, and my participation in the Jetta TDI Cup this past season has really prepared me very well to be able to explore new opportunities in motorsport. To now continue to race with the Volkswagen brand is a very powerful statement of their commitment and support for young drivers.The Melrose Park, Illinois native won the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Championship on the strength of three wins, eight podium appearances, two pole positions and 41 laps led. When the checkered flag fell at the final race of the season at Road Atlanta, Megenbier held a 29-point lead in the final standings. Earlier this season, he also had his first taste of European racing when he traveled to Germany to compete as a guest driver in the Polo Cup races at Oschersleben. After encountering problems in the first race, he finished seventh in the second, and the experience sparked his desire to travel abroad to compete. One of our main goals with the Jetta TDI Cup series is for it to serve as a springboard for our top drivers to advance into the higher echelons of racing, said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. To have our 2009 Champion Timmy Megenbier now make the move to Europe for 2010 further demonstrates not only the level of competition here in the US, but also proves the unique global Volkswagen series concept continues to create exciting new opportunities for young drivers.Volkswagen is currently accepting driver applications for the 2010 season at www.vwmotorsportusa.com. Potential driver candidates must be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of January 1, 2010 and hold a passport from the U.S., Canada or Mexico. In addition, drivers entering the series for the first time must not have competed in any professional racing series regardless of location. Applicants must submit their application along with a season entry fee of $45,000 by December 11, 2009 in order to be considered as a candidate. The entry fee will be fully refunded to those not chosen as a 2010 series driver.From the driver applications, up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held February 7-9 in Las Vegas. This final event will determine the final 25-driver lineup for the 2010 season. The final driver selection event includes three days of professional driving instruction, autocross competition, track time in a Jetta TDI Cup car, physical fitness training, a sponsorship development workshop, marketing and media training, and Volkswagen brand familiarization. About Volkswagen Jetta TDI CupThe SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was launched in 2008 as way to introduce clean diesel technology to the U.S. market and develop the best of motorsports up-and-coming talent. During the season, young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) compete on road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared 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 more than $50,000 in prize money at stake during the season, the series champion receives Volkswagen factory career advancement support with a value up to $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, Meguiars, 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.comwww.tditruthanddare.com Volkswagen Online Newsroom: media.vw.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VWJettaTDICupTwitter: http://twitter.com/VWJettaTDICup
