When I was poking around for information to keep up on the Dubai 24 hour a few weeks back I happened upon Crank and Piston, an all-things-automotive site based in Dubai, with connections to the UK and Australia. They have a lot of nice, high quality original content, so I recommend checking them out on general principle, but my personal favorite item on display over there is the C+P Mk5 GTI touring car.
Although I don't have specs on the series in which the car runs, the UAE Touring Car Championship, there is clearly a very wide range of machinery...Porsches, VWs, Seats, and even a few old EG Honda Civics. Certainly enough to keep things interesting, and very similar to the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge but with perhaps a more loose set of rules on which to base your modifications.
Indeed, it almost seems that anything goes with regards to what you can and can't add or remove. Dashboards, whatever, toss it out!
Things which are banned from the CTSCC, such non-OEM calipers, are allowed here. Power wise, higher boost levels, larger turbos, and aftermarket intake systems are all fair game. (APR's Mk5 GTIs for example, run the stock air boxes believe it or not.)
The C+P car doesn't run a larger blower, just ECU tweaks and some other modest items for more consistent, reliable power, relying on superior handling to get the job done, and as they say "annoy the guys out there spending big money on their cars."
Not that small money appears to have been spent on their GTI, but it's also not been done with unlimted funds either. I will say that it adheres to my number one rule of race cars, which is to look good while you're on the track. I'd like to think if I had the funds to do this sort of build mine would have a similar theme. Car owner Phil McGovern states he is life long VW and Porsche fan, much like the crew here at Der Wolfsburg Rennsport.
What's the line from Saturday Night Live? It's better to look good than to feel good? Well I say it's better to podium with style than to win without it. I know a lot of people would argue with me on that one, but anything worth doing is worth doing with style... The Team Dynamics wheels, chassis set up with AST suspension, and the gleaming white paint are really quite appealing.
If you're looking for some great photography and a snap-shot of car culture in the UAE and beyond, Crank and Piston is well worth a visit. Their Mk5 is currently undergoing a wide fender conversion, complete with a huge front splitter and revised aero package (flat underfloor and more) so perhaps they've got more under the hood as well, but so far details have not been revealed.
For more information on the car, including sponsors, builder, etc:
CrankandPiston.com
_WRS
frame notcher unite?
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