SPEED TV Telecasts of 2009 VW TDI Cup to Premiere in December

With the second season of Pirelli’s involvement as official tire of the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup fast approaching, both Pirelli and series officials have begun making preparations for the 2010 season.

Pirelli P Zero Racing Slicks are standard on every Jetta TDI competing in the series.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for race fans – and fans of clean-diesel power – to witness the growth of many successful motorsport careers,” said Tom Gravalos, Pirelli Tire North America’s Vice President of Motorsports, Marketing and O.E Sales. “2009 was Pirelli’s first year sponsoring the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, and it is a great opportunity to join Volkswagen in supporting some of North America’s top young driving talent in the nation’s first clean diesel racing series again in 2010.  Between the SPEED TV broadcasts and seeing the race first-hand from the stands, there are great opportunities for America to engage in the series and see the genesis of great driving talent.  As our Motorsports efforts expand in North America, so to will our focus on grassroots, amateur and professional racing.  Pirelli Tires are made for the race track, and with over 100 years of Motorsport victories under our belt, we’re excited to grow even more with the world’s first green racing series!”

The 10-race schedule for next year includes six circuits from the 2009 schedule and the series’ first visit to Mexico.

“In building the 2010 schedule, we have been able to achieve a great mix of historic tracks and newer facilities in excellent geographic markets in North America,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “During the first two seasons of our series, we have clearly demonstrated the benefits of Volkswagen’s clean diesel TDI technology, and we’re looking forward to an exciting 2010 season.”

To review series rules, or to submit a driver application for the 2010 season, please visit: www.vwmotorsportusa.com. Up to 125 candidates will be selected to attend the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event that will be held February 7-9 in Las Vegas to determine the final 25-driver line up for the 2010 season.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Schedule

Rounds 1 & 2     Apr 23-25            VIRginia International Raceway (Alton, VA)*

Round 3             May 8-9               New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)

Round 4             Jun 5-6                Miller Motorsports Park (Tooele, UT)

Round 5             Jun 18-20            Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, OH)

Round 6             Jul 30-Aug 1        Autobahn Country Club (Joliet, IL)

Rounds 7 & 8     Aug 20-22            Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)*

Rounds 9 & 10   Sep/Oct TBD     Mexico TBD*

• - Indicates double-race weekends

SPEED TV to Broadcast 2009 TDI Cup in December

For fans who couldn’t get enough VW Jetta TDI Cup action last season, SPEED TV will broadcast the entire 2009 race season beginning December 6^th, 2009 and will continue throughout the month.

The edited 30-minute broadcasts of the Pirelli-sponsored 2009 Jetta TDI Cup will begin with the first seven of the season’s ten races. The initial broadcast will be the double-race weekend at VIRginia International Raceway where series rookies Joey Atterbury and Jake Thompson took home wins.  The broadcasts will conclude with a thrilling rain-drenched finish at Road Atlanta where local driver Mark Pombo won his final race in the series and Timmy Megenbier won the season championship.

In addition to the race broadcasts on SPEED, the series also expects to announce the broadcast schedule for its season documentary Racing Under Green in the coming weeks. The 60-minute documentary will air on an array of Discovery Channel outlets and takes an inside look at the series – capturing the personalities behind the wheel of the equally-prepared Jetta TDI Cup racecars. Exact broadcast dates and times will be announced soon.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup TV Broadcast Schedule* (all times Eastern Standard Time):

December 6, 5 p.m. –    VIRginia International Raceway – Race No. 1

December 6, 5:30 p.m. –         VIRginia International Raceway – Race No. 2

December 6, 6 p.m. –    Miller Motorsports Park – Race No. 3

December 6, 6:30 p.m. –         Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Race No. 4

December 13, 5 p.m. – Autobahn Country Club – Race No. 5

December 13, 5:30 p.m. –       Road America – Race No. 6

December 20, 5:30 p.m. –       Mosport International Raceway – Race No. 7

About Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup

The SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was launched in 2008 as way to introduce clean diesel technology to the U.S. market and develop the best of motorsport’s up-and-coming talent. During the season, young, up and coming drivers (between ages 16-26) compete on road courses around North America in identical factory-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDIs. Each driver competing in the series earns a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season. In addition to more than $50,000 in prize money at stake during the season, the series champion receives Volkswagen factory career advancement support with a value up to $100,000.

The Jetta TDI Cup car is powered by a 2.0-liter, 170 hp, four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed, double-clutch, automatic DSG transmission. The car is only slightly modified from stock with Pirelli racing tires, race suspension and brake components, drivers racing safety seat, FIA roll cage and an on-board fire extinguisher system.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycle and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

Today’s agreement broadens collaboration between the two companies, which already includes building an industrial hub in togliatti, with approximately 1500 employees

Pirelli and Russian Technologies signed an Agreement on Implementation of Memorandum on Terms of Joint Venture to extend the collaboration begun in the context of the joint venture now being finalized, for production of tires and steelcord in Russia. In addition to the plan already announced by the Parties to build a new industrial plant in the Russian region of Samara in the second half of 2010, the Agreement signed today foresees that the 50/50 joint venture being set up acquires an already existing factory, which is currently being identified among some potentially interesting Russian enterprises. It is foreseen that the acquisition will take place in 2010.

The agreement was signed today in Rome in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, by the Director General of Russian Technologies Sergey Chemezov and the Chairman of the Pirelli Group Marco Tronchetti Provera.

The new industrial hub will be established on the territory of Togliatti industrial technology park (Samara region). The hub establishment will begin as soon as the Russian authorities make the decision on the area for production of automotive components, which is expected in the second half of 2010. The new factory will be built in two phases. In the first phase a factory for radial tires for industrial vehicles will be built. The second phase foresees a factory to manufacture steelcord. At full capacity, the industrial hub will employ about 1500 workers.

In the five-year period, the new factories together with the expected acquisition will guarantee manufacturing capacity of more than 4 million pieces, as foreseen by the initial plans. Total resources to be committed by the joint venture, in line with what has already been announced, will amount to about 300 million euros.

PIRELLI GROUP

Pirelli & C. SpA is the parent company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, of a multinational Group active in more than 160 countries with industrial experience dating back more than 135 years. Pirelli Tire is the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in the world in revenue terms, and is leader in the high-performance segments of the market. The company has 23 factories located around the world. Pirelli also operates in real estate with Pirelli RE, with assets mainly in Italy and Germany. Thanks to its focus on technology and research, in recent years the Group has started initiatives in industries with a high level of innovation, such as in sustainable mobility and renewable energy, with Pirelli Eco Technology and Pirelli Ambiente. The Group also includes Pirelli Broadband Solutions for broadband access.

RUSSIAN TECHNOLOGIES

Russian Technologies State Corporation is a state-owned company set up by the Government of the Russian Federation in accordance with Federal Law dated 23 November 2007. The mission of Russian Technologies is to assist Russian design and manufacturing organizations to develop, produce and export high technology industrial products in domestic and international markets, and attract corporate investments in various industrial sectors.

The Samara Region is located in a southeast part of the European territory of Russia, in the middle course of the Volga. It is one of the most developed industrial areas in the country and among the leading regions of the Volga Federal District. The region’s industrial complex is presented by 476 large- and medium-sized enterprises and more than 3,500 small ones. It has favorable conditions for innovative development – a significant research and production potential, a mature infrastructure for innovative activities, and a high vocational and educational level of labor. The Samara Region’s basic specialization is manufacturing activities particularly in the energy sector. The region accounts for 70% of all cars manufactured in Russia, 66% of linoleum, more than one fifth of synthetic rubbers. Bearings, petroleum products, plastics and synthetic resins are also produced in the region. The aerospace industry is also highly developed. Togliatti Industrial and Technology Park is located in a northwest part of Togliatti, on the city boundary, in close proximity to the basic industrial site of Avtovaz car maker. The plot has ideal transport accessibility by road and rail. The park plan provides for opportunities for further development and territory expansion in the southern and western directions.

Pirelli’s P Zero Nero ultra-high-performance tires have been chosen by BRABUS for their new Tesla Roadster Sport project.  The exclusive customization program for the Tesla Motors, Inc. of California, and BRABUS Zero Emission is available for the world’s first electrically powered production sports car.

A custom-tailored BRABUS tire/wheel combination further improves handling characteristics.  BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels in size 7×18 front and 8.5×19 rear are fitted with Pirelli P Zero Nero 215/35ZR18 front and 255/35ZR19 rear tires.  Pirelli is a BRABUS technology partner, and developed the tires to deliver minimum rolling resistance.

P Zero Nero is the ultimate summer low profile tire designed for the ultra-high-performance market.  A winning combination of enhanced driving enjoyment, precise cornering, excellent grip and high resistance to aquaplaning.  The tires are designed with variable angle grooves to ensure high mechanical grip and are constructed of innovative tread compounds that deliver superior comfort, ride quality and performance in an asymmetric package.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycle and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.