Golf R Observations and Questions

[Ryan_R]

I'm curious to know how much a day at the track set you back - it's one thing I'd like to try one day.

[dave_r]

I'm slightly hesitant to drill holes in the car so want to make sure I find someone good to have it fitted but not worried about the hatch area being rendered less usable. I didn't buy a hatchback because I wanted to be able to load crap in the car with the seats folded down hehe. But if you've seen photos of Justin Fox's GTI, he still got his pushy in the back no problems. Only thing I've ever had in the back was a set of 4 wheels and I reckon I could still do that just with a bit more "effort". I have to double check Justin's photos, guessing I'll have to cut the carpet etc so might just remove the trims.

I'll have to get around to swinging past the dealer to have them drop the oil, I'm sure it looks fairly nasty after my 8100km run in lol.

Ryan, you'd want to budget around $1000 for a day in your own car. Entry and fuel cost half that alone. Then factor in tyre/brake wear as the obvious items, oil change and that is assuming you don't break anything. The VW half days around $170 after the discount coupon is really the best way to get out there and experience it without spending a great deal of money.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - don't forget that tyre wear!

Depending on your driving style, you can literally go through a set of tyres on a track day! Some people I know used to by the Federal 595RS-R semi-slick tyres for the track days on their skylines and stuff. They used to be far cheaper than a new set of "brand name road tyres" like we use on our R's. (no idea if that's still the case, and the tyre has changed since then, so...)

You've also need a helmet and other items (depending on regulations).

[Ryan_R]

Yeah, looks like I'll stick to GoKarts and iRacing then

[Fab_R]

a few pics from the day

Best fun i have in the R since owning it

The instructors they had there were V8 supercar drivers;Tony D'Alberto, Nathan Pretty, and a couple of guys from the Carera Cup.

Tony D'Alberto had a drive for 4 laps and drove it proper!
Really showed me what its capable of.

He was quite impressed with the stock brakes - they did not fade or go away in his laps, nor did they in my laps.

And BTW, the KW's & H&R Sway Bars were amazing under track conditions!!!!

[Fab_R]

[Corey_R]

Hey Fab_R, do you have the Unibrace UB on yet? Do you feel it made a worthwhile difference, or would you be looking to go to the hatch-mounted Unibrace too?


How'd you guys go with keeping up with the exotics? hehe

[dave_r]

LOL its still sitting in his garage the useless blouse! Wonder if anyone has fitted either the Unibrace UB or XB to an R yet, I'm keen on the XB mainly.

The day wasn't timed so everyone was at their own pace. It meant we were passing anything and everything but is not real indication of car performance. It's good being out there with enthusaists though, a GT3 owner was more interested in finding out about the car rather than why a "golf" had rounded them up in the corners and had to be let past on the straight.

[Fab_R]

Hey Fab_R, do you have the Unibrace UB on yet? Do you feel it made a worthwhile difference, or would you be looking to go to the hatch-mounted Unibrace too?


How'd you guys go with keeping up with the exotics? hehe

Hey Corey, mines not on yet due to it needing to be modified due to the apr exhaust being larger in diameter than stock.

I feel the car would benefit with both braces installed.
yes i too am considering the hatch mounted brace also

Both Dave and I as "amatures" were beating a lot of very good and expensive cars out there. On the straights especially! These things are pretty rapid 100-215klm....
EG: elise, hsv, 135I, m3's, 370z, evo's..

I had guy in a BMW 135i & a current M3 who could not stay with me on the front & back straights.
I was leaving them way behind!

Adzy's GTI was also carving them up!!!

[Corey_R]

Hehehe... them Stage 2 GTI's are quick I tells ya
Yeah, I've seen video's of Adzy on the drag strip... tell me, did he bother taking off the roof racks for this track day, or did he leave them on to really rub it into those with unpractical cars? hehe

[Fab_R]

Hehehe... them Stage 2 GTI's are quick I tells ya
Yeah, I've seen video's of Adzy on the drag strip... tell me, did he bother taking off the roof racks for this track day, or did he leave them on to really rub it into those with unpractical cars? hehe

Lol....no racks for Adzy.

[AdamD]

I have been avoiding using the word "lag" because I don't like it. The best way I describe it would be, the stock R feels too heavy and lethargic compared to the lighter more agile cars I've come from (Polo GTI, Golf GTI).

Sorry to wade into this, especially as it's a bit off topic. Only thing I'd add to this is that I'd only refer to an R as lethargic when comparing it to what are - and let's be honest here - some of the most incredibly responsive cars on the market. The off-idle response you get from modern, small low-blow turbo cars like the Polo and Golf GTI was unheard of in an artificially aspirated car a decade ago. Compare an R to your typical turbo car, or even plenty of contemporary NA cars, and it's anything from excellent to a revelation.

[poli84]

Who was this track day organised through guys?

I've done a number of the Driver Dynamics days at Sandown and they are exceptional fun.
They cost $300 and you are in 3 groups of 15.
So you get 20 mins every hour which is heaps.
Last day (first one I did in the S3) i did around 250ks on the track.
Went through a tank and half.

The class of cars looks great at this day, interested to know the organisation running it please?

[AdamD]

a few pics from the day

Drooooooool! How'd the 458 go on the track? Was it driven properly?

[dave_r]

Drooooooool! How'd the 458 go on the track? Was it driven properly?

Was just there for show as part of a private day