A Race We Can All Win
Help Jarvis Support His Cause
Posted on 9/2/2010 by Joey Gennari
Heading into the final event of the 2010 Volkswagen TDI Cup in Mexico and fresh off two wins at Road America, Jarvis Gennari has reaffirmed his commitment to veteran’s aid organization Soldier On. In a recent campaign, Jarvis announced he’d be donating half of his 2010 winnings to the organization that support veterans who have returned home and are suffering from addictions and homelessness.
“In a country that has so much, I’m amazed at how little we support these heroes after they return home,” Jarvis says in his new video. Jarvis was instantly dedicated to the cause after first visiting one of their facilities in Pittsfield, MA. “It was a really emotional experience seeing all these vets who had nowhere to turn to when they got home,” Jarvis said. Soldier On has two facilities, both of which are maintained by the veterans themselves, ensuring that they are empowered by the experience, not simply given a handout.
While Soldier On has received some assistance from the government, our national commitment to these veterans remains limited. Soldier On is depending on private donations to keep the support alive. That’s why Jarvis has committed his earnings and has asked his fans to do the same. He has set a goal to reach a $5,000 donation, so please view the video on the right, and then donate whatever you can to Soldier On. You can donate via their website at www.wesoldieron.org.
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Back-to-Back
Weekend sweep in Road America
Posted on 8/25/2010 by Joey Gennari
Before this weekend, Jarvis Gennari had not found Victory Circle in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, but as he heads out of Wisconsin, the Series rookie has two wins to his name. Not only did theBoca Raton native find victory yesterday, but he also duplicated that feat this morning at Road America after coming all the way from a starting position of 14th.
What an incredible weekend," said Gennari. "Being able to earn back-to-back wins is an amazing feeling. Not only were these my first Series wins, but they're also the first victories for me in a racecar of any kind. Up until this season, I've only competed in karting, so today really marks a milestone in my career. Starting from 14th and making my way through the pack was incredible. I definitely got into a rhythm out there and before I knew it, I had taken the checkered flag. That was just an incredible feeling – as soon as I realized I'd won, I started tearing up in my helmet. Not only did I have a great event, but I'm also right there in the Championship hunt. Having a breakthrough weekend like this was not only a confidence boost, but it's also the highlight of my eight years in racing."
Jarvis would especially like to thank Soldier On, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless veterans of the United States Armed Services by providing shelter, counseling, job training and education. Please contribute to their success by visiting www.wesoldieron.org
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Windy City Podium
Gennari scores his first podium in TDI Cup
Posted on 8/1/2010 by Joey Gennari
In only his 5th Volkswagen TDI Cup appearance, the rookie Jarvis Gennari earned a second place finish at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. Jarvis started from the 9th position but quickly began to pick off cars in the opening laps. A spectacular pass came in front of the turn 3 bleachers, drawing applause from the crowd. One-by-one Jarvis climbed into the third place before a full-course caution bunched the cars up. An injured car helped to fumble the restart and the leader got away for the remaining two laps. But Jarvis was quick on the gas and gained his final position to finish 2nd.
"It's great to have a rookie on the podium and it's even better to have three," said Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Chief Instructor, Jan Heylen. All the TDI Cup drivers provided an exciting race day here in Joliet, but Jarvis' drive was spectacular. Jarvis would like to thank his sponsors from the race, Best Florida Storage, Lennox International, and Pro Team Data.
Jarvis would especially like to thank Soldier On, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless veterans of the United States Armed Services by providing shelter, counseling, job training and education. Please contribute to their success by visiting www.wesoldieron.org.
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Father's Day at Mid-Ohio
Almost a podium for the rookie driver
Posted on 6/20/2010 by Joe Gennari
Round 5 of the VW TDI Cup was held in Lexington Ohio at Mid-Ohio Raceway. Jarvis was prepared for this weekend after 4 races under his belt the young rookie was ready for a podium. After the practice Saturday morning it was clear he was ready, holding P1 for the first half of practice Jarvis had the track down. Pushing it for an even faster lap he went up on two wheels and off track. After coming in to the pits for a check on damage he returned to qualifying to find himself in P12. After a few laps and cheering from the turn 1 race fans who thought he may give them another two wheel show he threw down another fast lap to give him P4 by less than two tenths from the leader. On the start, Jarvis lost one position going into turn 1. The top 5 were all bumper-to-bumper for the first 5 laps, down the straight away to turn 1 on lap 7 Jarvis pulled along Hogg and stuck in and made the pass in turn 1 setting him in 4th on the tale of veteran driver JD Mobley were he would challenge the rest of the race. Mobley held Jarvis off the rest of the race but when the white flag came out the best racing was two come Mobley and Jarvis battled at every turn but when the checkered waved Jarvis missed his podium by less than 2 tenths of a second. After the race, JD told Jarvis he was glad the race ended when it did because he could have not held on for one more lap. All in all a great race day and a look into what to expect in Joliet Illinois on August 1st ... a podium.
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Mother's Day at NJMP
Jarvis fights back in his second race
Posted on 4/9/2010 by Joey Gennari
Mothers Day weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park was another great weekend of racing. With the rain holding off, the Saturday qualifying took place under dry conditions. Jarvis’ first 20 minutes in qualifying had him bouncing from 2nd to 5th position. With less than 10 minutes to go and headwinds of up to 35 mph down the straight away, Jarvis found himself without a dance partner lost 7 positions by the checkered flag leaving him 14th on the starting grid for Sundays race. With a 13 cars in front Jarvis knew he had to make every pass count in the first few laps. By the end of lap 5 he found himself in 10th spot with cars in front and behind a 30 car lengths away, there he would remain for most of the race. With three laps to go he started to lose ground rapidly when the white flag flew he had dropped to 12th where he would take the checkered. Not the Mothers day gift he had planned but with the lesson learned from this weekend, rookie driver Jarvis Gennari will be back in full swing for the next race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. There was excitement in the weekend while Jarvis got to hang with guest driver skateboarding legend, Rune Glifberg the 2008 + 2009 X-Games gold medal winner and Oakley-sponsored athlete.
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First Race of the New Season
Team Gennari is preparing for VIR
Posted on 3/31/2010 by Joey Gennari
April 23 will mark the start of the 2010 Volkswagen TDI Cup and the debut of Jarvis Gennari and the #12 Lennox Motorsports Volkswagen TDI. The 3-day, two race weekend event will be Jarvis' first event in the ultra-green diesel racecars and the third season for the race series. The schedule for the weekend is jam-packed with racing, featuring the Rolex Grand Am DP + GT Series, Ford Mustang Challenge, Mazda MX-5 Cup and Skip Barber National series.
At only 17, Jarvis will take to the track as a rookie facing stiff competition from returning and strong new competition. Jarvis will have a strong backing for the 2010 season though, featuring support from international HVAC manufacture Lennox International. Also sponsoring the racecar is Best Florida Storage and Pro Team Data.
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 TDI's. 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.
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