Audi chief designer Stefan Sielaff is embracing the challenges that come with styling the cars of the future. He says that new powertrains and new materials are “revolutionizing” Audi. The 49-year-old German, who has been head of Audi design since 2006, says Audi has given him a bigger budget and a larger staff to help the company stay competitive. Sielaff talked with Pia Krix, a reporter with Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.

What effects do alternative drivetrains have on design?

Design is facing a major challenge because of cultural and technological changes, but they also present us with a unique opportunity. We are in favor of a paradigm change in our layout, in our package configuration, and therefore in the overall proportions. New drivetrains, whether they are electric, hybrid or something else, are revolutionizing the entire company. And so far no one knows where it’s taking us.

How is lightweight construction changing design?

The choice of the material has an influence on design. An aluminum body does not have the sharpness of a steel body. In turn, I can make edges even sharper with carbon. You sense these effects in detail in the design language.

Will the toward greater environmental awareness continue?

I am convinced that this trend will even become stronger. And a growing number of people will ask themselves what they are lugging around and what is burdening their lives. In certain parts of the world, the saturation will grow to the extent that it will be a form of luxury to have as little as possible. I sense a certain purism among the very young people who join our design team. They laugh about our values.

What will future green cars for megacities look like?

Compact. Efficient. Lightweight. Pure. We designers want to satisfy the desire for authenticity: The car should mirror what it carries inside.

Will design be a key purchasing factor in the future?

To a great degree, design set the tone in the past. In the future, the strength will lie in the interaction and innovation of design, technology and production. A beautiful wrapping won’t be enough. Customers want a holistic product that answers all the environmental questions.

Are you getting a larger budget so you can handle fresh challenges?

Yes, I now have the opportunity to hire more people. We can only bring about a paradigm change if we take care of the product portfolio that we have built up and have time for research at the same time.

Does the auto industry have enough designers?

The lack of new talent is an important issue, and we have to brace ourselves for it. For demographic reasons, we are going to get fewer specialized staff. By contrast, young talent is on the move in other countries, in China and India. We are indeed an international company, but we have to position ourselves more globally in the future.

What role do women play in automotive design?

Compared with the overall auto industry, we are not understaffed when it comes to women. But a classic division prevails in our area as well: Women handle interior design while exterior design, with its technical requirements, remains a male domain. But it is absolutely important to know how what women respond to in a car. That’s why we want to form mixed teams. But as long as just a few women complete the training, we cannot recruit very many.
- Auto News

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When one talks about ultimate speed, tuning and Porsche, SharkWerks is one of those names that always comes up. “ZKERMIT” the 2007 997 GT3RS that pushes out 500hp or the 2009 997TT with EVOMSit ECU Tuning that hits 580hp on 91 octane are just a few of the outstanding cars to come out of the SharkWerks stable.

Our good friends over at Porsche Heritage had the great opportunity to interview Alex Ross, co-owner at SharkWerks. It’s a must read if you want to learn a bit more on one of the most respected Porsche tuners, worldwide.

Alex Ross of SharkWerks

- Porsche Heritage

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1. Interview with 2009 Porsche Supercup Champion and now Magnus Racing’s Jeroen Bleekemolen

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When the racing season comes to an end here in the U.S, we tend to get bummed out but before you know it the Roar Before the Rolex 24 is here. This year brings new teams, new faces and new cars to the Grand-Am Series. One team we will be watching is newly formed Magnus Racing out of Salt Lake City, Utah. We had the chance to sit down and catch up with Jeroen Bleekemolen (Dutch) in Daytona, yesterday.

First, congratulations on your 2009 Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Championship win. That was quite a battle with Rene Rast.

How was your winter, any rest for you and what did you do to keep in shape and focused for 2010?

My winter was still quite busy. In November I still had 2 races, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Kyalami. After that there were some talks for this season and the 3rd of January I already drove my 1st race of the year in the Netherlands in our winter GT series in a Porsche. The rest of the month is also busy with the 24 hours of Dubai and Daytona. I had 37 race weekends last year, so it was nice to have a few weeks of relaxing with Christmas. I went skiing in that period. Good training and a lot of fun on top of that.

When did the Magnus deal come about? Did Porsche Motorsport approach you about the Magnus opportunity?

I got into contact with Magnus Racing through Porsche. After winning the Supercup title twice they were out there to help me, because I really wanted to do Daytona and I’m really happy to join Magnus Racing.

With Magnus Racing being a new startup, how do you approach this and what do you bring to the table?

The team is new, but you don’t notice that in any way. I guess that’s because all the members are very experienced. Obviously I know a Porsche Cup car well and have a lot of 24 hour experience, so together we should be really strong.

We hear the guys at Magnus are a lot of fun. We saw it last year with Craig’s “Touch of Gray” livery. We also know Craig has a good bit up his sleeve? Have John or Craig pranked you?

Craig and John are great guys. The make a lot of fun, but can also be very serious when they have to. I’m also like that, so I’m happy to race with them. We just got to know each other, but I’m sure we’re going to have a great time together.

The Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car looks to be running good. In the second session we saw you running 11th about 3secs off pace. How is the car and what has been done to the old #67 TRG to get it ready for the season?

I only did a couple of laps so far, but the car seems to work ok. I’m sure there’s a lot more to come from us and we’ll be fighting at the front during the 24 hours.

With a 24 Hour of Le Mans win driving the LMP2 Van Merksteijn Motorsport’s Porsche RS Spyder, how would a 24 Hours of Daytona win feel?

To win Daytona after my Le Mans win would be fantastic. I race to win, so let’s hope we make it a nice one. I’m looking forward to it a lot.

You have both a background in endurance racing and shorter stuff like the DTM, Porsche Carrera Cup and others. Do you enjoy one format over the other and will we see you at Dubai, Le Mans or any other 24 Hour races in 2010?

I will do the 24 hours of Dubai and probably also Le Mans. If I have time I will also try to do the 24 hours of Nurburgring and Spa, but that depends on my other schedule. I love 24 hour racing, so hopefully it works out.

Thank you for your time Jeroen. Good luck with testing and we will see you at the 24!

Thank you for the support. Best regards, Jeroen

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The final race (watch our play-by-play) to the 2009 American Le Mans Series ended with a lot of controversy regarding the GT2 class battle between Flying Lizard Motorsports, Joerg Bergmeister and Corevette Racing’s Jan Magnussen. It is eerily reminiscent of Joerg’s loss to Rizi Ferrari/Melo in 2007 at Sebring but without the crash. We see it as racing with an unfortunate end, yet a thrilling one. If Jan had never bumped Joerg in the first place, would we be talking about this? Did it tarnish the sport? No. Did it tarnish ALMS? No. Will GT2 be all the rage in 2010? You can count on it!

Since we are both Porsche fans and big Flying Lizard fans, we’ve asked some of our motorsport friends to contribute their un-biased thoughts. We even went as far as inviting Keith Cornett of CorvetteBlogger.com fame! Rounding out the list, motorsport photographer, Darren Pierson, Riley Racing’s Jameson Riley, Chris Bailey host of fastmachines.com radio, professional driver Michael DeNino and last but not least, the Declan Brennan of Radio Le Mans. There’s even a special appearance by Oliver Gavin! They are in no particular order but Jameson Riley will be up first, since he started it!

Contribute to the discussion by adding yours in the comments! (Keep it clean)

    Bergmeister is an idiot… There is an un-said rule on the racing track for hitting or spinning someone: do it to someone, and expect you’re going to get revenge while still on track. Fair is fair. But this incident at Laguna Seca was over the line, and far beyond the “un-said rule”. Up to the finish-line incident, Bergmeister and Magnusson had a great battle with some aggressive, but fairly clean racing. Bergmeister was beat going up to the finish-line, and Bergmeister stupidly saw the “red mist”, drove Magnusson all the way to the wall, and then continued to push into him even after the Corvette was past the Porsche. The Corvette was obviously more than 3/4 past the Porsche, otherwise the Porsche would not have been able to spin the Corvette in the right-rear 1/4 panel. At some point, Bergmeister needed to stop driving Magnusson into the wall. What he did was stupid, dangerous, and uncalled for. Bergmeister had fairly lost the battle, and spinning someone into a very bad accident is not smart. Hence, why Bergmeister is an idiot. – Jameson Riley – Riley Racing

    Jan vs Joerg: For both professional reasons and personal and enjoyment, I have watched the last lap of Sebring 2007 about 3000 times. I would suggest, however, that Jorg Bergmeister has played it over in his head significantly more times than that. He has probably conducted more than one autopsy of the events that led to him being muscled out of victory through sunset on that glorious and thrilling March evening.

All of the memories and emotions of that last gasp defeat must have flowed through the German’s mind as soon as Jan Magnussen rear ended him at the climax of last Saturday’s race. The Dane’s actions simply did not belong at an ALMS or any sportscar event where ‘ rubbin’ aint racin’ ‘. Maybe the saddest part of the whole incident was simply how inevitable it was. Both Dorsey Schroeder on SPEED TV and John Hindhaugh on the American Le Mans Series Radio Network predicted that it would end with Magnussen doing something aggressive and ultimately stupid. Bergmeister’s retaliation was wrong but totally understandable based on what had gone before at Sebring, he should not be absolved from blame and both drivers are responsible for what happened. The crucial factor, however, is that the Corvette would not have been able to pull up alongside the Porsche as they headed to the line if not for a boneheaded and dirty move by Magnussen that would have been considered aggressive at Darlington let alone Laguna Seca. – Declan Brennan in the US Correspondent for ‘Midweek Motorsport’ heard every Wednesday at 8pm UK on www.radiolemans.com

    The last few minutes of the Monterey Sports Car Challenge at Laguna Seca featured some of the most exciting racing in ALMS history, bar none. Unfortunately, due to the outcome of the race that had one team crashing while the other claimed victory, fans from both camps are undoubtedly claiming it’s the other guy’s fault. I think that Magnussen clearly had the faster car in the final minutes and made multiple attempts to pass Bergmiester. Bergmister was driving defensively and rebuked Magnussen on several attempts at being passed by forcing Jan outside and off-track. I think most fans from both camps will agree that up to that point, it was hard but clean racing by both teams.

The real contention is what happened at turn 11 and then on the straight leading to the finish line. Magnussen claims that at turn 11, Bergmiester “parked” the car with a hard brake and that he (Mags) didn’t see it in time and the Corvette bumped the back of the Flying Lizards Porsche. With both cars now roaring down the straight, Bergmiester appears to have taken an unnatural exit line that pushed Jan towards the left wall. Magnussen had to be leading Bergmiester at the point in which contact was made as how else could the #3 Corvette spin out in front of the #45 Porsche if it wasn’t leading at the moment of contact.

Magnussen is quoted as saying “It was a drag race up the hill, and I managed to get ahead of him. Then he turned me into the wall, and he kept turning in. Then I spun around the nose of his car.” whereas the Flying Lizards press release says “The No. 3 moved to go past the No. 45, but without enough room to maneuver, the two cars made contact, sending the No. 3 spinning across the track in front of the No. 45, with a hard impact into the far concrete wall.” Race officials should look at the footage to determine who made the contact and if it was “unavoidable contact” that resulted in the Corvette being spun out into the inside right wall.

Corvette fans would probably be more fired up over this incident if Corvette Racing was competing for the Manufacturer and Driver’s championships. If you talk to anyone that’s covered ALMS and Le Mans, they all pretty much say the same two things: Corvette’s drivers are aggressive but very professional in their conduct. Although Gavin and Beretta both had their issues in the No.4 Corvette at Laguna Seca, this was the exception and not the norm. The real problem I have is the comments coming from the Porsche camp calling the Corvette Racing drivers thugs and unprofessional and making statements like “Oh, how wonderful GT2 was before the Corvettes showed up.” Well, sorry to break it to you, but the Corvettes are here, we are aggressive, and we are racing for the win. See you in 2010! – Keith Cornett – CorvetteBlogger.com

    A few likes and dislikes before I get started: I don’t like to see wrecked cars. I don’t like blocking beyond holding a wide line. I don’t like pushing cars out of the way when you can’t drive past. I do like aggressive driving within the boundaries of sanity.

The final turn at Laguna was a bit of all of the above. Since I cannot cite from memory any times when Joerg deliberately broadsided another car and have no proof that he has not, it might not be fair to mention that Mags did crash both his car and Max Papis out of a Grand Am race in Daytona a few years back. It happens.

I don’t buy Mag’s comment that Joerg “parked” the car in the last turn and that he couldn’t help running into the back of the Lizard. I don’t have the telemetry, so I can only go on the visuals. From the TV coverage, it seems pretty clear that the ‘vette was trying to spin the Porsche out of the last turn. It also seemed that Joerg forcing the Corvette over to the wall was an attempt to slow Mags down rather than crash him. From the way the Corvette shot across the track, the Porsche probably would have to have hit Mags in the rear corner.

To me, the end result was that both drivers did the same thing to each other, with Magnussen starting the process. I think Magnussen intentionally tried to spin Joerg and that Joerg spinning Mags was a byproduct of the angle towards the island wall. Whether I am right or wrong in those observations doesn’t really matter as both cars were guilty. The corvette guys and fans are mad because the Vette lost; that time.

IMSA seems to agree with me as both drivers have been give two race probation periods for next year. I can’t wait until Sebring! – Darren Pierson – http://www.dperceptions.com

    To be perfectly honest, I had a quick hit all ready to go about the GT2 finish at Laguna. I had to change it all up when news of the probations hit late today.

I think the action by IMSA is appropriate. Honestly though, I chalk the entire incident up to racing. Good ol’, hard fender-to-fender racing. Bergmeister was the victim of the same sort of thing in the finish at Sebring in 2007. I don’t think Joerg intended to put Jan in the wall. It was just tough racing that ended in a fender bang and extracurricular track activity. In this case, I agree with the idea of penalizing both drivers. The penalty sends a strong message that racing so hard is never safe, and will not be tolerated in the future. The entire incident could likely have been avoided if the same punishments were handed down in 2007. – Chris Bailey – host of fastmachines.com radio

    It’s difficult to tell from the camera angle exactly what happened. It appears to me that Magnussen turned to the right as Bergmeister was turning to the left and that is what spun him. It doesn’t look like he bounced off the wall into Bergmeister. Magnussen did hit Bergmeister coming out of the last turn, getting him loose. But you can also look back to the beginning of the last lap when Bergmeister slid into the Corvette as Magnussen was attempting to overtake on the outside. From the information I have and the footage I saw it was too close to blame one driver more than the other. – Michael DeNino – Michael DeNino Racing

IMSA’s penalties can be read here on Racer.com

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If your on twitter and an auto freak, check out the newest trend called carchat! It’s crazy fun and this weeks session includes Bob Lutz. Here is the how-to on connecting to carchat on twitter. Brought to you by vLane and Michael Banovsky.

Big news! Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman and marketing chief will be our featured guest on #carchat next week, at a special 3 PM EST to 5 PM EST time slot. Our topics will fall under a General Motors theme for obvious reasons…

Upcoming: #carchat 29; September 23 @ 3PM EST with Bob Lutz

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Those are his own words… Welcome guest contributor AJ Nealey and his race report from Mosport.

Hello,

What a roller coaster of a weekend! This was round 7 of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup at Mosport in the lovely Ontario, Canada. This was also my first time at this historic track and looked to be extremely fast! Weather also looked pretty flukey for the weekend and was amped coming into the weekend after my podium finish from the last round at Road America.

Friday evening consisted of our track walk with Jan Heylen, our chief driving instructor. Again, in car footage and photos do not do this track any justice. Getting out on the surface and looking at it from a driver’s stand point show just how much elevation this track has. No other track can really compare.

Also, no other fans can really compare to the ones in attendance during the weekend at Mosport! Die hard! The amount of fans in attendance camping out at the track was unbelievable! They also come quite prepared with their own scaffolding to get the best view possible to watch the on track festivities. Incredible!

After our track walk, we were then prepared to hit the track first thing Saturday morning. When we woke up, rain was upon us! I was excited. We have yet to experience any real wet conditions during the year and was looking forward to running our 30 minute practice session on the Pirelli rain tires. We took to the track and was able to slowly pick up speed throughout the session and was able to run my fastest lap of the session on the last lap with a 1:49.2 which was third fastest on the time sheets. I was happy with the outing and was looking forward to qualifying later that afternoon. Big congrats to Theresa Condict on posting the second fastest time of the session with a 1:48.9.

The sun came out later in the day and we had a dry track upon us for our qualifying session. As we took to the track on our out lap, I hadn’t spent enough time vigorously heating up the Pirelli racing slicks. I took it easy on the entrance to the extremely fast right hand turn 8. As I was weaving the car back and forth mid-turn, I got into a little bit of marbles on the outside edge of the track, caught me off guard, and before I know it, I’m off the track and heading for the outside wall! Not much run off room out there and I nicked the left rear of the car onto the tire wall. I pulled the car in and the technicians went to work on it. The worked as fast and efficiently as they could to get me back out there. After a few minutes, I went back out and noticed that the left rear tire was rubbing on the body. I came back in as they went back over the car. By the time I got back out, there was a full course caution. As I was back out on the track behind the pace car, I also noticed the alignment was off. Something was bent in the left rear of the car and it just wasn’t handling correctly. But the track went green for one more lap and did my best putting down a 1:41.0 which put me back in 21st position. Not a session that I was looking for.

Sunday morning, we would be first out on track for our 30 minute race. As we arrived to the track, it was sprinkling pretty heavy which was making me pumped for this race. I, unfortunately didn’t get any real experience on this track in the dry and knew that I could be somewhat competitive if it were to rain. There was a good amount of humidity along with the intermittent sprinkling. The decision was made to put on the Pirelli rain tires for the race.

We took to the track, gridded up, starting lights on, clean diesel engines revved, lights off, off we go! Very clean going into turn 1 with no incidents what-so-ever. I put my head down and slowly picked my way through the field moving as high as 14th at one point. But there were issues. It hadn’t sprinkled anymore since the start of the race and the track was dry! These Pirelli tires could only take so much abuse as they weren’t designed for this. Everyone was in the same playing field and this race turned in to a dirt sprint car race. I think I was turning left more than I was turning right on this clockwise track. Every turn induced incredible oversteer. It was crazy! You could see the tread blocks coming off the tires when the car was mid-turn. Even driving down the straight was a handful. The back end of the car was weaving as we were accelerating down the back straight. I had never experienced a car do that before. Wild stuff! Braking zones were pretty hairy as well. Always had to be on your toes. Unfortunately, the car got away from me going into the braking zone at T1 and went off slightly and back on, but I dropped a few spots. I then made up some ground, then went off again on the outside of T8 but safely got back on track losing a couple positions. In the end of this crazy race, I finished P17.

Congrats to Mark Pombo who dominated the weekend! He was the fastest driver on the top of the time sheets in every session. He had also grabbed pole by 8 tenths of a second over 2nd place and ran away from the field at the beginning of the race with a 13 second lead at one point. He did an incredible job maintaining his tires and held on for the win! Another shout out goes to a hometown hero, Andrew Cordiero, for achieving a podium finish in front of his home crowd!

Yup, crazy weekend for me, but still had a blast. You know what they say? That’s racing! All I can do is pick myself back up and get ready for rounds 8 & 9 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Be on the lookout for the Brimtek sponsored VW Jetta TDI Cup car that weekend! It’s the closest race for me on the schedule and hope to have a lot of local support during the double header race weekend. Should be good times!

Again, can’t thank you all enough for your support throughout the season. We’re 7 rounds into the championship and I still can’t believe the position I’m in! Still unreal!

Until next time, take care!

AJ Nealey

Tremendous supporters this season:
Dave Tilton @ Brimtek Inc.
Jeremy Lucas @ FASTtech Limited
Jess Hewitt @ Hyperfuels (official fuel supplier of the VW Jetta TDI Cup)
Matt Kessler @ Kessler Engineering
RoadRaceAutoX.com - “Where the Cool Kids Hang Out”
Jane Watkins @ Watkins PR
Darrin Dingman @ Banyan Business Partners
Scott Boccia @Cover 2 Marketing
Jim Nealey @ Storyboardnow.com
Susan Nealey @ Keller Williams Realty
John Coe @Hondamans Auto Service

http://www.ajnealeyracing.com
443-220-4019
aj@ajnealeyracing.com
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Looking to Get Some VW Jetta TDI Gear?Click Here and Use Promo Code TDICUP#2 to Receive a %10 Discount!

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What you don’t always see are the frantic repairs that occur in the middle of the night. You never know when a mechanical problem will occur and you must be prepared for anything and react quickly in order to get back in the race as swiftly as possible. That is what just happened to the #65 TRG car. Craig Stanton drove about half of his stint without power steering. They brought the car into the garage and changed the alternator in addition to performing a brake service. The TRG mechanics did a great job of repairing the car while it was in the garage. Craig Stanton explains.

[podcast]http://media.oneighturbo.com/podcast/rolex-stanton-24.mp3[/podcast]

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29-year-old German Timo Scheider is the new DTM Champion, who thus takes over from his team-mate Mattias Ekström. Even though the Audi factory driver ranks among the stars this season there are several facts you may not have known before.

• Audi, with Timo Scheider, after 1990, 1991, 2002, 2004 and 2007 has won the DTM for as much as the fifth time.
• Timo Scheider, before climbing into his racing car, strokes the roof of his Audi A4 DTM and even says a few words to the vehicle. ‘It’s important that we’re a unit,’ comments Scheider with a twinkle in his eye.
• Scheider, since the race at Barcelona, has been driving with a helmet which has photographs of his family and stations of his – by now – 20-year racing career on it.
• …it is a ritual of the DTM Champions to put on his racing gloves only after getting into the cockpit.
• Timo Scheider as late as last year was still nicknamed ‘podium objector’ and that, after clinching his first DTM podium place at Hockenheim in October 2007, he didn’t know immediately which side of the podium to mount as the runner-up.
• Timo Scheider is capable of moving any vehicle on half of the wheels intended for this purpose. This applies to motor scooters as well as to quad bikes and golf carts.
• Audi, after 1990/1991 with the V8 quattro, now managed to successfully defend the title again with Timo Scheider and the A4 DTM.
• …back then as well as today, two different factory drivers consecutively clinched the title for Audi. In 1990 it was Hans-Joachim Stuck, in 1991 Frank Biela, in 2007 Mattias Ekström and in 2008 Timo Scheider.
• Timo Scheider is a big fan of Pink? A poster of the eccentric singer is even hanging on the wall of his living room.
• Timo Scheider grew up in Braubach, only some 70 kilometres away from the Nürburgring.
• …his first driving lessons in the driving school of his parents in view of considerable racing experience would sometimes take place at a permanent speed of 180 kph, thus attracting attention of the local police.
• Timo Scheider not only shows his talent during DTM sprints, but that he is also an endurance racer who has won 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa-Francorchamps.
• …now and then he invites his mechanics from Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline for barbecues on the terrace of his home.
• …is a football fan and, in addition to the Austrian club SCR Altach, keeps his fingers crossed for Borussia Dortmund for old times’ sake.
• …he has even been given a ‘jersey of honour’ by SCR Altach, Ailton’s new club.
• Timo Scheider at his 79th DTM race in April 2008 celebrated his first victory and afterwards needed only eight more races to win his first title.
• Timo Scheider, at the age of 29, is still a member of the young generation on the one hand, but on the other is the only current Audi factory driver in the DTM who experienced the re-launch of the series in the 2000 season.
• Timo Scheider is actively engaged in numerous charitable projects in his private life. In August, for example, he raised more than 20,000 euros for a good cause at a charity kart race.
• Timo, his fiancée Jasmin and his son Loris Romeo star in a nation-wide TV commercial of computer games manufacturer Nintendo.
• Timo Scheider calls the Audi R8 and the Audi Q7 his two favourite models from the Audi range.
• …the racing virus is rampant in the Scheider family. Timo’s father Wolfgang Scheider already drove touring car races, Timo Scheider’s fiancée Jasmin used to contest touring car one-make cups for a long time and her father, Peter Rubatto, is regarded as ‘Mister Superbike’. Loris, Timo and Jasmin’s son, is already driving racing karts.
• Timo Scheider is Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline’s first German DTM champion. Previous champions from the team were Laurent Aiello and Mattias Ekström.

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A great interview with Allan McNish. If you ever have the chance to meet him, don’t let the opportunity pass you by!

The 13.629 kilometre track of the Le Mans 24 Hour race is something special for every driver. The mix of public roads and a permanent race track, very slow corners and a share of more than 70 per cent of full throttle per lap, as well as day and night fascinate both drivers and the audience. Audi driver Allan McNish explains why.

• Balance between differing technical set-ups required
• Porsche Curves and Ford chicane are the most demanding parts
• Fans can feel the speed of 320 kph in Indianapolis corner

Why do you think Le Mans is such a unique track?
“Le Mans is a special place for a driver, for a manufacturer and for a spectator. The length and the high average speed of the circuit makes it very unique which requires a delicate balance between aerodynamic downforce and drag. And also from a driving point of view it requires aggressive but controlled driving style.”

The track is a mixture of mainly temporary circuit sections and a permanent track. How does this affect the race?
“You feel that it is a mix between a permanent road course and a standard road for two reasons: one is that the grip level changes when you go between the two. The other thing is that on a standard road, there are small tracks where the trucks have been driving up and down every other day of the year. In that respect, you have to be aware of it. It doesn’t cause problems, but you’ve got to be aware of it.”

Do you feel that the track is much different at night when compared to the day?
“To be honest, I don’t find the circuit very much different at night than at day. It is very fast and demanding in both. In comparison, Sebring is much harder at night than Le Mans.”

Which are the most difficult corners of the track?
“For different reasons, but generally most people would say the Porsche Curves because they’re very very fast. The line is very narrow. If you make a very small mistake it has big consequences. But also, the Ford Chicance I think is not easy. It’s a slow corner, but it is easy to try and attack too much, especially at the end of a qualifying lap when you can lose so much time there just by being one metre too late on the brakes.”

From which perspective would you follow the race if you were a spectator?
“Probably from Eurosport sitting at home! Seriously: If I was a spectator, I think one of the best parts of Le Mans is the fact that you can go and see the cars at so many different points. You’re not restricted to one area. If you want to see a racing car at speed in real performance, then look at the entrance to Indianapolis and down to Arnage, here the cars come in at more than 320 kph, braking hard into a left-hand bend, a small acceleration, and then stopping basically at 60 to 70 kph before accelerating hard out again. It’s a hard part for the driver, but as a spectator, you really get a feel for the demands of a circuit but also for the speed of the cars. I’ve got a small agreement with a very good friend of mine that in five or six years, when we have probably finished driving, we both bring our little sons and sit on the other side and enjoy the relaxation side of Le Mans as a spectator. That’s something that I really look in a bizarre way forward to, but we’ve got this year’s 24 hours first.”

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You're reading Audi driver Allan McNish on Le Mans originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

When we received the list of the 30 selected drivers for the Jetta TDI Cup Series, we were stoked to see a local Georgia resident made the cut. We posted about it and shortly thereafter Mark Pombo contacted us. Mark took time out of his full-time job and preparing for the first race this weekend to speak to oneighturbo.com. A huge thanks to him!

1.8T: Congratulations making the selection of 30 drivers in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, you must be really excited?

MP: This is all I ever wanted as a kid, a chance like this. I am just trying to soak it all up and make the best of the opportunity. I get to drive sick new cars with factory VW support what more could I ask for as an unproven racer.

1.8T: Can you give us a bit about your background?

MP: Age: 25 years old

Military:
Drilling Reservist since 2002
Thirteen-month tour Iraq OIF-1 veteran
– Stationed at Log Base Seitz, west of the Green Zone
– Logged over 15,000 accident free miles through hostile territories in Iraq
– Volunteered for 10 dangerous LOGPACS to 2nd ACR located at Camp
– Marlboro – 40,000 gallons of potable water delivered
– Aided in distribution of 27,000 gallons of Mogas
– Humanitarian missions, logging 600 miles into hostile territory to transport 30,000 gallons of potable water to Iraqi civilians
– Soldier of the Month – 2 times
– Tasked to 82nd Airborne for 2 months
– 3 Army Achievement Medals

Chosen to represent the modern day soldier in the “We Know the Price of Freedom” mural at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas
PT patch for achieving a 300 score

Education and Career:
Accounting major, Georgia State University
Graduated May 2007 3.2 GPA
Georgia HOPE Scholarship
Montgomery GI Bill, Kicker and SLRP program
Full-time student in MBA program, completed 24 hours of 36 hour program with 3.2 GPA
Work as an accountant full-time for Ryan, Inc. as a motor fuels tax consultant for large transportation companies who spend a lot of tax Dollars on fuel.

1.8T: Can you give us a bit about your racing background? (age started, carts, family history in racing etc?)

MP:
Quarter Midget Championship
– 16 Race Wins
NASCAR Legends Series Championship
– 13 Race Wins
SCCA American Road Race of Champions winner 2005
SCCA 2006 SE Division Championship 3rd Place, Spec Miata
– 7 Race Wins since returning from Iraq
– 26 Podium finishes since returning from Iraq
SCCA 2007 SE division Champion, Spec Miata
– 4 wins and 2 second place finishes
Finished 6th in SCCA Spec Miata National Championship in Topeka, KS
Holds 3 track records in Spec Miata at Road Atlanta, Kershaw and
Roebling Road.
Set new track record at Road Atlanta, March 29, 2008, in Spec Racer Ford
(SRF), first time in SRF.
Selected as one of 30 drivers to compete in Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
televised series for a Pro Championship and potential racing ride for 2009.

1.8T: VW history: Since we are a VAG focused site we have to ask: Do or have you owned a Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche? Raced?

MP: Never raced one, but my family owned an 80’s VW bus, and a 1996 Porsche 996 until a few years ago. When you really start racing all the other toys have to go. I own two POS cars not worth 3k combined every dollar I can get my hands on goes toward my SCCA race car or now this VW TDI Cup.

1.8T: How did you hear about it? Any hesitations due to it being VW or a “green” effort or even a diesel?

MP: My father is from Mexico City, and as a kid I always loved the old school VWs that were still being produced in Mexico. My older brother races and he read a press release talking about the series a couple days before the deadline. He called me and said your getting old like me; another chance like this might not ever come. I am going in serious debt to chase this dream, but if it doesn’t work out at least I know I chased my dreams. I figured if VW was willing to invest this kind of money in the car and series, it would be worth it. After driving the cars, I was right, the torque is unbelievable.

1.8T: So what makes you feel good about the VW Jetta TDI Cup?

MP: VW, the 4th largest auto manufacturer in the world is promoting the most environmentally friendly diesel car ever. It gets ridiculous gas mileage, 35% over comparable gasoline engines, has massive amounts of torque and is cleaner that gasoline powered siblings. We are just the 30 lucky drivers that get to drive them and try and make a name for ourselves in the process.

1.8T: Odd venues selected? Obviously it’s brand recognition but is it an effort behind the “green” aspect?

MP: Pretty much every race track is a North American Road Racing Icon. All of the races are televised, so all of the races are with other televised Pro Racing events. All throughout the world diesel power is more popular than gasoline powered vehicles. VW wants to redefine the stigma North America has labeled diesel engines with. They are no longer slow, noisy, and bad for the environment. These new Jetta TDIs are the opposite.

1.8T: Can you tell us about your goals for the season ahead?

MP: I want to win just like the other 29 drivers, but more than anything I want to soak up the experience and meet people in the racing world who can guide me on to best path. Who knows what kind of opportunities this could open up for any of us, and I may not have to be the winner to get a great opportunity.

1.8T: After the season ends?
MP: My family is a racing family, my brother and I both love racing. My family owns an auto shop in Suwannee, GA so hopefully at a minimum I will be able to race something for a long time. If we can’t make a career out of racing I would like to open a small race shop in Suwannee or the surrounding areas some day.

1.8T: Any drivers you think will be contenders? Have you raced with any before?

MP: Honestly I only know one or two drivers well. From what I can remember and have seen look out for Jimmy Underhill, David Jurca, Josh Hurley, and probably some others I am missing.

1.8T: How is the support with/from Volkswagen?

MP: They are literally putting millions into the series; it is a mini LeMans setup. They are not sparing any expense from hospitality areas to first class haulers.

1.8T: What are they supplying?

MP: The cars, drivers’ suits, gloves, shoes, (all Oakley apparel). They are also going to do all the maintenance and transport of the cars

1.8T: What adjustments will you make driving a diesel powered VW TDI?.

MP: I am used to racing rear wheel drive vehicles on shaved street tires. This is a front wheel drive beast on racing slicks. It has so much torque you have to be smart about putting the power down, especially on the exit of turns or the wheels will just spin.

1.8T: Can you give a break down of the Jetta TDI Cup car?

MP: 2 liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 HP, and nearly 300 ft.-lbs of torque in racing trim. They are equipped with a six-speed automatic DSG transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering, fully independent suspension, driver airbags, four wheel ABS racing brakes, full roll cage, and Ricarro racing seat.

1.8T: Are they really running Audi R8 brakes?

MP: I could not tell you for sure if they are the Audi R8 brakes, but the front breaks are massive, and the rears tiny. It would not surprise me if they were.

1.8T: So how did you feel in the car?

MP: I felt comfortable and competitive in the car. Hopefully it translates to the race track well.

1.8T: What took place prior to Arizona, in terms of applying, etc.:

MP: I went to the VW motorsports website, and went through an application process where I gave my personal information, submitted a video describing where I thought the future of motorsports was heading, and submitted a bio about myself.

1.8T: How was Arizona? Can you describe?

MP: I did not really know what to expect in Arizona, but it was a pleasant surprise. VW brought out all the stops, and it was obvious this was a factory supported endeavor. We had go cart tests, auto cross tests in street GTIs, track tests in the TDI race cars, media tests, and physical fitness tests. Everything we were doing was being watch, and anybody could have been grading us

1.8T: Since VW will be maintaining all Jetta’s and bringing them to all races, how do you prepare for driving the TDI in relation to the power + torque vs. what you may use back home?

MP: My street cars barely go the speed limit, but my Spec miata race car is no where near as fast either, it is lighter and probably more nimble. These don’t feel like 4- cylinder cars. They are so quiet at idle, and have a nice low hmmm under power they are deceiving.

1.8T: Are looking for sponsors?

MP: I just cleaned out my Iraq deployment savings, and took out a loan for 20k. I am allowed to run sponsors on the car for anyone who is interested. Whether it is a one race deal or the full season it can be worked out. I am just looking to offset cost not make money. The whole series after travel expenses will cost me about 45k.

1.8T: Wow, $45k! How can someone help/donate?

MP: Visit http://www.pomboracing.com website, there is a paypal donation button at the bottom of the home page, and if you would like to contact me you can do so via email at

You can also mail a donation to:
Mark Pombo, 4550 River Mans. Cove, Duluth, GA 30096

1.8T: We will post the donation button for ya here as well!

1.8T: Being that your an accountant, what about the business aspect? Does VW take care of everything or do you have to take care of flights, hotel etc?

MP: The first race is on such short notice VW made all the hotel arrangements for VIR, but travel is up to us. After VIR every event we are responsible for all travel and hotel arrangements. I get two passes for the hospitality tent plus myself where there are 3 catered meals, live plasma TVs with feed of the races going on, and beverages.

1.8T: So what do you do when you are not racing?

MP: I play in a soccer league once a week in Atlanta, but other than that I am either at my accounting job, finishing my Master’s, working on mine and my brother’s race car at all hours, or trying to make-up with my girlfriend for all the above .

Personal site: http://www.pomboracing.com

1.8T: Anyone you want to give thanks to?
MP: My family, girlfriend, and friends for doing everything they can to help me chase I dream I am not ready to let go of yet.

We want to thank Mark for his time and wish him luck at this weekends inaugural race! Please, if you can spare him and/or other racers some $ it would be well appreciated. Remember, we drop a lot of $$$ into our cars/mods, a $1, $10, $50 is not that much considering…

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1. Volkswagen Jetta TDI celebrates racing début in the USA

You're reading oneighturbo talks to Mark Pombo, Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup driver originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.