AutoblogGreen

If they are averaging 25mpg, it's because they've been neutered so badly that they can't accelerate hard.

In a real race, you are at WOT over 50% of the time. So the only way to get decent mpg is to cut the power.

The reason race cars don't get good mpg isn't a matter of efficiency. Race cars are actually very efficient. It's because they're expending so much energy accelerating and energy comes from the fuel tank.

Note that since most of the time during racing you are at WOT and gas cars have no worse pumping losses than a Diesel at WOT, Diesels lose their efficiency advantage over gas engines on the track.

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So I don't want to post in the other thread (the one with the results) becase I don't want to see the results because I want to watch the race without knowing.

But I can't find the Jetta TDI Cup listed on Speed next weekend. I looked manual and did a search on their listings for "Jetta". No dice.

Any tips?

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Whoops. I went to speed's site to search their listings (I had previously searched the listings on DirectTV.com) and they have the winner listed.

Tip to the wise: don't go to that site if you don't want to know.

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Thats a pretty good average for a racing car

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That's an amazing average for a turbocharged race car. The rally car I crew for gets single-digit fuel mileage on stage -- and that's with the itty-bitty turbocharger inlet restrictor the rules require it to have. Without that restrictor, it would suck down twice the fuel.

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Honestly, is this racing or PR? 170hp, 87mph. Wow, that compelling racing. Unless I am reading this wrong, I am not at all impressed. 25mpg while averaging 87mph. I thought the new cleaner diesel Jetta was supposed to be getting 60mpg. And doesnt every Euro car mag say they drive their diesels at 80 on highway speeds while getting those high numbers? So where's the 60mpg, do they lose 35mpg in the corners?

I wont watch this PR stunt, I'm only going by what is posted in the article, so if anyone can enlighten me, please do.

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Back in 2000 I took my then 2001 new jetta GLS TDI 5 speed around the short courst at VIR at a company sponsored event. I had 5000 miles on the od so the car was very new. Mine was all stock and did well considering it being only 90 hp. We had instructors with us at all times but i can tell you that there are lots of tight turns and I had to get on the brakes a bunch, almost over heating them at one point. I got to 90 mph on the strait aways full throttle. I only had to use 3rd and 4th gear on the short track. Averging 87 mph on this course in a Jetta is very fast. I would love to race in this event but I just have too many hobbies. The track is fun and if you get to drive something around the track do it!! here i a quote from VIR history,
Shelby, who would later go on to worldwide fame by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and creating the iconic Cobra sports cars in the early 1960s, won that first feature race in a Maserati 450S. The laconic Texan uttered a quote about the track that is remembered to this day: “One lap at VIR is like a hundred at Watkins Glen.”

I held off a 325 BMW for a lap. I out drove the driver in the corners but he eventually got me. Still not bad for my little jetta. About the track check out virclub.com. W
later

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25 mpg sounds pretty good to me, and whether the avg speed is 87 or 120 doesn't really tell you whether it's good racing or not. NASCAR might be faster, but except for the wrecks, it's doesn't seem to offer much excitement. And it lacks in terms of driver skill compared to other types of racing where you have to actually use your brakes and steer in both directions.
It's still a waste of fuel though, but whatever, people have their hobbies.

But my main point is that I'd be happier if VW put more effort into actually making TDIs for sale here sooner, rather than this promotional stuff that detracts from their production. I bet there will be a shortage of TDIs this fall (and next year).

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