Beetle Cup All-Star Race for Atlanta charities

ATLANTA, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference today, Volkswagen of America, Inc. revealed plans for one of the most unique car races of the year -- an all-star charity event at Road Atlanta that includes such racing greats as Danny Sullivan and Scott Goodyear going all out in ultra high-powered race versions of the New Beetle. This New Beetle Cup All-Star race will be held on Saturday, September 30, just prior to the "Petit Le Mans," which is part of the American Le Mans Series. Qualifying for the race will be held September 29. At a press conference today at Road Atlanta, Volkswagen announced that the race will raise a minimum of $100,000 for Atlanta's Shepherd Center, the country's largest catastrophic care hospital specializing in the treatment of people with spinal cord and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other neuromuscular or urological disorders. In conjunction with the New Beetle Cup race, Atlanta's Volkswagen dealers will contribute $100 per Volkswagen sold during the month of September. They have pledged a minimum of $100,000 from this effort. Atlanta's New Beetle Cup All-Star race will mark the first time Volkswagen has ever held a New Beetle race in the United States. Drivers for this New Beetle Cup All-Star race will include an international list of racing greats, including Danny Sullivan, Scott Goodyear, Hurley Haywood, Price Cobb, Bill Adam, Tommy Kendell, Hans Stuck, and many others. Also on the race-day roster are some of the nation's top automotive journalists. "The fast and flowing track of Road Atlanta offers a great opportunity for the New Beetle race cars to shine and entertain race fans," said R.J. Wiles, Volkswagen of America's New Beetle Cup event manager. "The compact layout and recently resurfaced infield make for excellent spectator access. Drivers and fans alike will enjoy a racing experience like no other at this All-Star event." Drivers will be navigating identical high-powered New Beetle race cars equipped with Volkswagen's 2.8 liter, 24-valve V6 engine. Based on Volkswagen's road car engines, this powerplant delivers an unusually high torque of 270 Nm and a superb power output of 204 hp. Additional equipment includes a 6-speed road version gearbox, 18-inch wheels and special racing brakes. Security features include a driver airbag, roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point safety harness. Atlanta will be only the second time a race of this kind has been held outside of Europe. Earlier this year, Volkswagen held a special race for its New Beetle Cup European series in June in Montreal at the Air Canada Grand Prix. The schedule for the Atlanta event will include a practice run on September 28 at 2:05 p.m. that is open to the public. Qualifying will take place on September 29 at 12:45 p.m., and the race is scheduled for September 30 at 10 a.m. just prior to the start of the Petit Le Mans. Originating in Germany in 1999, the actual Volkswagen New Beetle Cup is held during the ten rounds of the German Super Touring Car Championship (STW). The Volkswagen New Beetle race cars are prepared and maintained centrally by Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, allowing drivers who can't establish and maintain their own teams to participate. To be part of the New Beetle Cup, competitors must pay 100,000 Deutschmarks (plus VAT). In return, Volkswagen offers half a million Deutschmarks as prize money. <pre> NEW BEETLE CUP CAR Technical Specifications

Engine V6 Position Transversally mounted front engine Displacement 2800 cu. cm Valves Per Cylinder 4 Power Output 150 kW (204 hp) Rev Limit 6800 revolutions Maximum Torque 270 Nm Engine Software Bosch Fuel Unleaded Super Plus (98 octane) Gearbox 6 speed road version gearbox Clutch Road version Suspension Bilstein-H&R-Sport suspension, adjustable ATE- Racing anti-lock brakes front: 4-pot calipers, ventilated ATE Power discs (diameter: 355 mm) rear: road version calipers, solid ATE Power discs,(diameter: 232 mm) Wheels 9x18 OZ BBS Tires Pirelli 235/825-18 (slick + rain) Safety Equipment Airbag, Roll cage, Fire extinguisher OMP, 6 point safety harness OMP Length/Width/Height 4081/1770/1450 mm Track (front/rear) 1550/1640 mm Wheelbase 2500 mm Weight 1200 kg