Going Green at The Race Tracks: VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Cup Series

Last month, my 4 year old and I drove a VW Routan loaner to Millville, NJ. We were on our way to the world-class New Jersey Motorsports Park to spend an exciting day at the VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Cup Series—the only Green, Clean Diesel racing series in the United States.

The Cup Series is designed for 16 to 26 year old drivers who are not professional drivers when they enter the program and will earn their CSS Pro-racing license after 10 races.  It’s amazing the level of responsibility that they are given too.  These young men and women are responsible not only for maintaining their cars (in repairs, care, etc.) but also in getting sponsors.  It’s a wonderful program for those who want to start enter a career in racing, teaching them all they would need on the business end to hopefully be successful. The championships are determined by the driver’s skill level.

As we watched the race my son and I quickly got caught up in the excitement of it all.  I had never been to a car race before, and wasn’t sure what to expect, but a lot happened before that lead up to the excitement on the track.

My son and I got to meet a couple of the drivers and had them sign a poster for him. We got to hang out in the Volkswagen Hospitality Center with some other friends, chatting, eating lunch, playing racing video games. This is a service that VW offers the families of the drivers in their efforts to really make the experience a family affair and as comfortable and enjoyable for the young drivers and their family and friends who come by to support and cheer for them.

We also had a chance to hear all about the cars, get in them, check the engines, and learn all about the exciting program.  The cars are very close to the VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel that you could buy at a dealership, with a few changes here and there (like tires, relocation of battery for safety, etc.).  Overall it’s a really cool looking car, a bit too small for my family of 5, but a wonderful sedan nonetheless, with some great features and the quality and guarantee of Volkswagen.

I really enjoyed learning about how VW took so many measures to try to maintain a Green presence and really set the example of conservation in an environment one wouldn’t really expect to see it.

The cars are designed to run on clean diesel TDI. The clean energy efficiency of the car actually allows for the drivers to run the entire 10 race season on only 2 tanks of fuel! But the energy efficiency doesn’t stop there. The lighting in the tents is low voltage and electrical generators that they use for air conditioners, etc., are run on bio-diesel fuel.  The cups, saucers, and utensils are biodegradable in 100 days and even the staff t-shirts are made with recycled materials!

The racing season is over now and isn’t expected to start again till February of next year, however, I have to say this was truly a cool find.  My son and I really enjoyed our day out at the race track, cheering for the young racers and this initiative to implement Green standards in one of America’s favorite sports.  I hope that you will make note of this fun activity and join me next season in supporting the VW TDI Jetta Clean Diesel Cup Series. It’s truly a fun event for the whole family!

Review: Photos taken with a Nikon CoolPix P90 camera. One of Nikon’s digital cameras loaned to me for use during the event. My take on it was that although it was a cute, light camera, it didn’t meet the standards for the level of photography experience I look for.  It didn’t manage movement well, even when on the correct setting, and was a bit difficult to focus at times. I think it is a great camera for those starting out on digital photography or for those who aren’t looking for more high quality, professional shots.

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Tags: family activities
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