VW Jetta: Jake Thompson Puebla preview

Calgary's Jake Thompson prepares for the biggest weekend of his career as he battles for the TDI Cup Championship

September 22nd, 2010 -- The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is in store for an exciting finish to the season with the series finale going this weekend in Puebla, Mexico, and Calgary's Jake Thompson will be looking for a pair of big results to hopefully lock up the championship. After some bad luck early in the season that cost him a pair of podium finishes, Thompson has been on a remarkable run, having finished inside the top 6 at every event since Round 3, including a win at Miller Motorsports Park. This has left him as one of the main contenders for the series title as the TDI Cup prepares to wrap-up its season with a double header at the AMOZOC circuit near Puebla Mexico.

Thompson enters the event 3rd in points just 25 back of championship leader Jarvis Gennari, with 120 points still on the table. However, the point's gap isn't Thompson's primary concern, "The top 6 are all very close, so my priority is to finish ahead of the other contenders. That is no small task, as it will probably take a pair of podiums and probably a win, but if I can pull that off I should make up enough points". With the series champion likely to be awarded a seat in the Scirocco Cup in Europe for 2011, there will be a lot of pressure on everyone, something Thompson hopes to use to his advantage as a series veteran.

Thompson will also have some help riding along with him this weekend, as his #19 car will feature the names of many of his friends, family and supporters. In the spring, Thompson partnered with the children's charity Right To Play, and created a program where people could pledge a donation for every lap he completes in 2010. At the end of the season 100% of the proceeds will be going towards Right To Play. For the final race of the year they have prepared a special decal for the hood of the car with the names of everyone who contributed to the program, something Thompson is really excited about. "Our goal was to raise $10,000 and we have already topped that, which is incredible, and with any luck I'll do about 30 more laps in Mexico, which would add a couple thousand more to the total. The car is going to look amazing with everyone's name on the hood, and with all the pressure of fighting for a championship it will definitely help to have so many people riding with me".

Regardless of what happens in Mexico, Jake would like to thank everyone who has made his two seasons in the TDI Cup such a success. All of the people at Volkswagen, Arciero Miller Racing, and the incredible team of techs make this arguably the top development series in North America, and he is grateful for the opportunity they have given him. He also has to thank his family & friends for their support in helping him chase his dream, as well as the Western Canadian motorsports community who have been so supportive, most notably Joey, Jesse and the rest of team Overdrive.

-source: www.jakethompson.ca