Knestis to Debut Jetta TDI in STU @ VIR Majors

[Knestis]

Tristan Herbert Racing is very pleased to introduce their 2013 entry in the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour - a 2008 VW Jetta TDI to be driven by longtime regional club racer Kirk Knestis of Syracuse, NY.

The car is an after-hours collaboration of Cameron Conover, Tristan Herbert, and various crew and support staff loosely affiliated with Herbert's Brimtek Motorsports SCCA World Challenge Touring Car program. It is built to STU rules, applying expertise developed building and running TC cars to a pile of parts accumulated in the shop over multiple seasons.

The team and driver are particularly excited about the technical aspects of the effort, as it breaks new ground with clean turbo diesel power; dual-clutch, direct-shift gearbox technology; and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system in amateur road racing.

The program is being supported by Malone Tuning (high performance diesel tuning products), germanautoparts.com (online parts retailer), and Dynamic Fuels (maker of renewable synthetic fuels). Knestis will run for additional contingency support from Volkswagen of America, Hoosier Tires, and Hawk brake pads.

The car will debut at the Virginia International Raceway double Majors event in April. Additional appearances at the Summit Point and Watkins Glen Majors events are planned, as is an entry in the VIR 13 hour enduro in October.

Astute observers will notice that the beautiful blue and white paint scheme is complemented by the number 42, in tribute to Pablo, Knestis' ITB VW Golf that was lost to a serious racing incident in mid-2012.

Anyone interested in additional information may contact Kirk Knestis at [email protected]

[RSTPerformance]

Looks like you have a very fun April lined up! Good luck, see you a few days later!

Raymond

[JLawton]

That is awesome Kirk!! Congratulations! Very, very cool!

[gran racing]

Good for you K! See you at the Glen.

[Ralf]

Is this a scratch build car or a former TDI Cup car? And, what did VW do with all the TDI Cup cars? Sitting in some warehouse?

[Greg Amy]

Is this a scratch build car or a former TDI Cup car? And, what did VW do with all the TDI Cup cars? Sitting in some warehouse?

I tried to get one of the TDI Cup cars a couple years ago, and VW was very adamant that these cars would not be made available to the public.

Cameron and Tristan have been building cars from scratch for the World Challenge series for a couple years now (Brimtek Motorsports) and no doubt have access to cars, parts, and technology that quickly exceed that of the TDI Cup series cars... - GA

[Terry Hanushek]

Ralf

And, what did VW do with all the TDI Cup cars? Sitting in some warehouse?

I believe all (or most) of the TDI Cup cars are at NJMP. The apparently belong to a third party who intends to run 'arrive and drive' schools. I'm not sure when these schools are scheduled or how many are scheduled.

Terry

[Ron Earp]

Very nice! Congratulations with the new race car and I hope you enjoy it. Way to bounce back!

[Knestis]

I can't thank Tristan and Cameron (and the others who put time into the car) enough. I'm thrilled for the opportunity.

K

[Flyinglizard]

Good luck, go fast.
MM

[stevestratton]

Nice looking car! See you at VIR,
S2

[Rabbit07]

Saaaawwwweeeeeet!