An environmenally conscious auto race -- is this like a cocktail party to support MADD? Not quite, in the inaugural Jetta TDI Cup race Sunday at Virginia International Raceway. Winner Mark Pombo of Duluth, Ga., beat out 28 others in this 30-minute, 11-lap SCCA Pro race. The drivers race factory prepared and managed (read: cuts costs, cuts cheating) Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel sedans. They're "lightly modified" with a race suspension and brakes and use VW's innovative DSG (dual shift gearbox) automated manual transmission. Auto racers have long bristled at the charge they waste fuel going in circles around racetracks. They point out, quite accurately, that the fuel used by the racecars is a drop in the $115-a-barrel bucket compared to the fuel used by spectators driving to ballgames, golf matches, or auto races. Besides, says VW spokesman Clark Campbell, the Jetta TDIs were getting 25 mpg at race speeds.

To highlight its "environmental dedication," Volkswagen says has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the race series as carbon free.