Several bits of information have come out about Acura and their participation in the American Le Mans Series over the past two months so it's time to put two and two together and see if we can get to add up to seven. Acura jumped into the fray in the LMP2 class in 2007 and had a reasonably successful first season with the ARX-01. Back at the Detroit Auto Show in January when ALMS CEO Scott Atherton announced the series "Green Racing" initiative, American Honda EVP John Mendel was on hand and I asked him about Acura's plans. While Mendel was coy about specifics, he did say that the company was evaluating both diesel and hybrid powertrains for the race program. Of course manufacturer participation in motorsports is at least as much about promotion as it is engineering. Since Acura also disclosed that they would launch a clean diesel in the U.S. market in 2009, that would seem to have the edge over a hybrid here.

Then at the end of January, retired IndyCar champion Gil De Ferran announced that he would launch a new ALMS team this year and run the Acura ARX-01B starting with the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend in April. During the course of the coverage of the 12 hours of Sebring this weekend, commentators mentioned the possibility of De Ferran's team and Acura moving up from the LMP2 to the LMP1 class in 2009. Acura splits the development efforts among the teams, with Fernandez Racing focusing on engine development, and Highcroft doing chassis, while Andretti-Green does integration. If the company were looking at a change in class or powertrain, it would make sense to have another team work on that. A diesel-powered LMP1 Acura running against the Audis full-time next year would be fun to watch. Or, perhaps, they will keep the diesel in a lighter LMP2 car which has an advantage over the LMP1s under the current technical regulations. Either way I say bring it on, the more the merrier. On the other hand, maybe two plus two only equals four.

[Sources: American Le Mans Series, Speed TV]

Volkswagen has just announced an eight-race schedule for the 2008 running of the Jetta TDI cup. This will the first running of the new series where thirty amateur racers will take to the track in identically-prepared Jetta TDI sedans. Apart from suspension and braking upgrades and additional safety equipment, the cars will be largely stock. The races will taken place over seven weekends between April and October of this year. There will be two races run during the September weekend at New Jersey Motorsports park. There will also be a celebrity race during the Toronto weekend in July. Those interested in participating in the series still have until the end of February to register. VW will hold a driver selection event the first weekend in April in Phoenix.

Related:

• Chicago 2008: VW Jetta CleanTDI to start hitting dealers in June
• VW Jetta TDI Cup registration almost done, driver selection in early April

[Source: Volkswagen]

For those aspiring racers interested in competing in the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI cup this year, you only have a few weeks left to register. VW has set a February 29 deadline for 16-26 year old drivers to sign up for the inaugural running of the series using identically-prepared diesel-powered sedans. Volkswagen will be reviewing the registrations and those that qualify will be invited out to Phoenix, AZ during the first weekend in April for a runoff. Of those who attend thirty drivers will be chosen to participate in the series. The series schedule will be announced on February 11. Start lining up your sponsors and get ready to race!

[Source: Volkswagen]