VIR Wrap up!

In his second round VW Jetta TDI Cup race on April 26th at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), Perry Richardson continued to race competitively taking a respectable 16th place.

"Although I'm a bit frustrated that I didn't take the checkered flag, I'm optimistic," Richardson said. "I learned a lot from this first weekend, and I'm confident that next round I will improve. I'm particularly excited that the next race is in Utah - a little closer to my home time zone."

So far rookie racers like Richardson have thrived in the Jetta TDI Cup. Out of 30 total drivers, only 8 are new to the series, Richardson being one of them. Joey Atterbury and Jake Thompson - both rookies - took first place on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Clark Campbell, motorsport manager of Volkswagen America, also spoke about the success of the young talent in the series. "The inaugural race weekend of the Jetta TDI Cup absolutely proved our concept that Volkswagen clean diesel technology, young drivers and a top-level crew produces some of the best racing available anywhere in North America. If the talent level displayed this weekend at VIR is any indication as to how the rest of the season is going to go, it's going to be a very exciting sophomore season."

For now, Richardson will return home to Los Gatos, CA and prepare for the next racing weekend May 15-17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

Cheers and happy racing!
Bailey (Perry's sister)

Updates From VIR!

Friday

Perry qualified in 15th position in his first race at VIR in the #30 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup car. The day started at 6:00AM (3:00AM Pacific Time!) with a drivers meeting and a walk around the track. The rest of the morning was spent in meetings...and more meetings. At 11:30 the group went out for a practice session - the first time out on the track for may of the drivers, including Perry. There were no major problems with practice.

After practice the drivers met with coaches and then they caught a quick lunch before going out on the track for the first qualifying session. In the session, Perry had to avoid a few incidents as one car in front of him went off track and another car spun. But he had clear track for most of the session after getting by the incidents.

After qualifying the drivers went back in to (you guessed it) another driver meeting. After the meeting the drivers had time to grab some the famous VW waffles and ice cream before they went out for the next qualifying session.

Saturday

The first race of the weekend started off without any problems. Perry jumped a few positions at the start and as the race went on and the field spread out a group at the front pulled away from the rest of cars. Perry was at the back of the front group of about 11 cars. He worked his way up to about 10th place and was at 9th place but started to drop back when his tires started to loose grip. He went a little off track at turn 16 but was able to get back into the race. He ended up in 13 place - not bad for his first race in the VW TDI Cup.

- Bruce Richardson

A Pre-Race Note from Perry

Hey Everyone,

I am one day away from getting on a plane and heading out to the Virginia International Raceway for the first race weekend in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. We will be out there with the Rolex Grand Am Series, Star Mazda Championship, and Formula BMW Series to name a few. I am really excited to get this new season off to a start. I believe the program Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing has put together is truly capable of moving my career in racing forward. As for now my bags are packed with the bare essentials: helmet, driving suit, GoPro cameras, computer, cell phone charger and a toothbrush. I will get some videos posted online during the weekend so you guys can check out what it’s like in one of these Jetta Cup cars and take a look around beautiful VIR.

As a final note, I am going to be emailing out updates and photos over the weekend and if you want to get on the receiving list you need to send an email including your name to richardsonracing32@gmail.com and you will start getting updates.

Wish me luck!
Perry Richardson


Follow my Tweets!!!
http://twitter.com/commodorepdog

Schedule
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&attid=0.1&thid=120c4d544443527d&mt=application%2Fpdf

SCCA Pro Racing Live Timing
http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/VW/livetiming.asp

Tickets
http://www.virclub.com/2009-event-details/bosch-engineering-250-grand-am-rolex-sports-car-series.html

Let the Games Begin!

This weekend Perry will compete in his first Jetta TDI Cup race after beating out 3,900 other drivers to earn a spot in the series in February. Perry will travel to Virginia International Speedway this weekend to compete in rounds 1 and 2 of the series which promises $100,000 to its champion.

Perry will be sending out email updates over the course of the race. If you would like to receive results and reactions directly from Perry, please send him an email at richardsonracing32@gmail.com

Cheers and happy racing!

Thunderhill Pass

Here's a video of my pass at Thunderhill from the view of my friend's formula Mazda. If you watch closely, you'll see me get loose out of turn 2!

- Perry

A view from the cockpit!

Perry Richardson Infineon Regional Opener from Perry Richardson on Vimeo.

This video was made available by Nick at GoPro Camera. Watch Perry tear through the field at the Infineon Regional Opener!

"The wall at turn 11 was damaged due to a heavy impact. Shortly after the SCCA officials determined the regular track layout was unsafe. I was starting to the back in the Griffith Family Dental entry due to a sound violation during qualifying. From there I was just left to make a mad dash through the field which made for a traffic filled race (always fun)." - Perry