Sterling, Virginia After a long off-season Liam Kenney returns to race action this weekend as his 2008 on-track activities get underway with the opening round of the inaugural Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series at Virginia International Raceway, Friday 25th Sunday 27th April.
The 16-year-old heads into his rookie saloon car season following two highly successful years in open-wheel racing, scoring four wins from 24 podium finishes in the Formula TR Pro Series 1600 and 2000 Championships respectively in 2006 and 2007. Now entering his third season of racing, the Sterling-resident is set for a new challenge having been selected from hundreds of applicants to compete in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series.
With just 30 drives available, Liams talents shone at a recent shoot-out at Phoenixs Firebird Raceway and the teenage stand-out secured a berth in one of the most exciting manufacturer-backed race programs in North America. Despite being one of the youngest racers in the field, with ages ranging from 16 to 26, Kenney proved himself to be a fast learner and was immediately competitive in his first test outing behind the wheel of the Jetta TDI which features a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine.
The seven round series, created by Volkswagen of America Inc., kicks off this weekend in Liams home state at the 3.27-mile Virginia International Raceway before a cross-border excursion to Canadas Mosport International Raceway in May. With further trips to Lime Rock Park, Iowa Speedway, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Road Atlanta, Liams racing resume will be further bolstered as he takes in a wide variety of circuits all new to the young American racer.
In addition to racing on some of North Americas most exciting tracks, Liams on-track prowess in the Jetta TDI Cup this season will be showcased in front of some of the countrys premier racing series and team owners including the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the American Le Mans Series and the SPEED World Challenge.
Having checked out Virginia International Raceway this week I have to say it looks like an awesome track, stated Kenney ahead of his home debut. I cant wait to get out there in the Jetta TDI, the car should suit the track very well with its top-line speed. The first turn ought to be fairly interesting as well with 30 VWs heading towards it. Theres going to be plenty of dicing on race day with some pretty good spots out on track for overtaking as well.
This is going to be a learning experience for me but at the same time Im keen to get out there and put my footprint on the series as well. Im keen to get a good start as I know just how competitive a season its going to be. Ive got a lot of guests attending this one, its a big deal for me to be racing in Virginia and in a championship as new and as exciting as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series!
Liam hits the track this Friday with a pair of 30-minute practice sessions followed on Saturday by a 20-minute qualifying outing.
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