Volkswagen Announces Plans for New Beetle Cup All-Star Race to Benefit Local Charity
4 August 2000
Atlanta Dealers to Contribute $100,000
ATLANTA - At a press conference today, Volkswagen of America, Inc. revealed
plans for one of the most unique car races of the year -- an all-star charity
event at Road Atlanta that includes such racing greats as Danny Sullivan and
Scott Goodyear going all out in ultra high-powered race versions of the New
Beetle.
This New Beetle Cup All-Star race will be held on Saturday, September 30,
just prior to the "Petit Le Mans," which is part of the American Le Mans
Series. Qualifying for the race will be held September 29.
At a press conference today at Road Atlanta, Volkswagen announced that the
race will raise a minimum of $100,000 for Atlanta's Shepherd Center, the
country's largest catastrophic care hospital specializing in the treatment of
people with spinal cord and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other
neuromuscular or urological disorders. In conjunction with the New Beetle Cup
race, Atlanta's Volkswagen dealers will contribute $100 per Volkswagen sold
during the month of September. They have pledged a minimum of $100,000 from
this effort.
Atlanta's New Beetle Cup All-Star race will mark the first time Volkswagen
has ever held a New Beetle race in the United States.
Drivers for this New Beetle Cup All-Star race will include an
international list of racing greats, including Danny Sullivan, Scott Goodyear,
Hurley Haywood, Price Cobb, Bill Adam, Tommy Kendell, Hans Stuck, and many
others. Also on the race-day roster are some of the nation's top automotive
journalists.
"The fast and flowing track of Road Atlanta offers a great opportunity for
the New Beetle race cars to shine and entertain race fans," said R.J. Wiles,
Volkswagen of America's New Beetle Cup event manager. "The compact layout and
recently resurfaced infield make for excellent spectator access. Drivers and
fans alike will enjoy a racing experience like no other at this All-Star
event."
Drivers will be navigating identical high-powered New Beetle race cars
equipped with Volkswagen's 2.8 liter, 24-valve V6 engine. Based on
Volkswagen's road car engines, this powerplant delivers an unusually high
torque of 270 Nm and a superb power output of 204 hp. Additional equipment
includes a 6-speed road version gearbox, 18-inch wheels and special racing
brakes.
Security features include a driver airbag, roll cage, fire extinguisher
and six-point safety harness.
Atlanta will be only the second time a race of this kind has been held
outside of Europe. Earlier this year, Volkswagen held a special race for its
New Beetle Cup European series in June in Montreal at the Air Canada Grand
Prix.
The schedule for the Atlanta event will include a practice run on
September 28 at 2:05 p.m. that is open to the public. Qualifying will take
place on September 29 at 12:45 p.m., and the race is scheduled for
September 30 at 10 a.m. just prior to the start of the Petit Le Mans.
Originating in Germany in 1999, the actual Volkswagen New Beetle Cup is
held during the ten rounds of the German Super Touring Car Championship (STW).
The Volkswagen New Beetle race cars are prepared and maintained centrally by
Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, allowing drivers who can't establish and
maintain their own teams to participate. To be part of the New Beetle Cup,
competitors must pay 100,000 Deutschmarks (plus VAT). In return, Volkswagen
offers half a million Deutschmarks as prize money.
NEW BEETLE CUP CAR
Technical Specifications
Engine V6
Position Transversally mounted front engine
Displacement 2800 cu. cm
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Power Output 150 kW (204 hp)
Rev Limit 6800 revolutions
Maximum Torque 270 Nm
Engine Software Bosch
Fuel Unleaded Super Plus (98 octane)
Gearbox 6 speed road version gearbox
Clutch Road version
Suspension Bilstein-H&R-Sport suspension, adjustable
ATE- Racing anti-lock brakes
front: 4-pot calipers, ventilated ATE Power discs
(diameter: 355 mm)
rear: road version calipers, solid ATE Power
discs,(diameter: 232 mm)
Wheels 9x18 OZ BBS
Tires Pirelli 235/825-18 (slick + rain)
Safety Equipment Airbag, Roll cage, Fire extinguisher OMP,
6 point safety harness OMP
Length/Width/Height 4081/1770/1450 mm
Track (front/rear) 1550/1640 mm
Wheelbase 2500 mm
Weight 1200 kg