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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