Pic Post: Bill Scott / Milt Minter Trans Am Scirocco

Years ago, VW ran a pair of Sciroccos in the Trans Am series and, on occasion, in IMSA. They were driven by Bill Scott (42) and Milt Minter (43) and were a really something else, even running in the 12 hours of Sebring in the late 70s. I wonder where they are now? I did a little poking around, and it would seem that one of the cars (42) was written off, perhaps at Sebring as they are listed as not finishing, but the #43 car may still be floating around. Some say it made it's way to a VW museum, but one would assume that there would be at least one picture of it from the recent past, rather than the ancient past.



If it is at a VW museum, it's probably in storage. From what I have read these two cars basically ran Super Vee motors. Pretty much a classic 4-cylinder VW engine, built by Bertils: 1600cc, 8 valves, carb'd, dry sumped, and reving to 10k RPM and making over 180hp (depending on where you're reading the info.) It's a shame these older VWs haven't been preserved as well as some of the more expensive cars of their day....but then I suppose there weren't as many to start with.

Pic Credits: Unknown

_WRS

Video Post: File under 'Things not to do'

Or alternatively, 'oops' or 'F1 drivers cannot drive real cars.' I say we get rid of the sequential boxes, ABS, stability programs and all that other junk and let the real drivers take things back over. You're not really driving when you leave it all up to a computer....

And even then you wad up a $400,000 car...

_WRS

Race Report: U.S. Rallycross Championship, Round 4

On Sunday November 7th we made stop off at New Jersey Motorsports Park to check out round 4 of the inaugural U.S. Rallycross Championship, the final event of the short season. Rallycross, at least on the professional level, is new to the USA, and the series is just starting to get its 'sea legs' so to speak. If what we saw was anything to go by there will be a lot to look forward to for 2011.



One of the most impressive things is the number of European teams that made the trek over.



Some, like Britain's Liam Doran and Finland's Jussi Pinomaki had sent their cars over as early as round 2, but rounds 3 and 4 saw the addition of several top performers from the European championship.



Sverre Isachsen emerged victorious at round 3 in his Ford Focus (Saturday), but met an early demise with the tire barrier in the B-main on Sunday, during a heated battle with Rhys Millen. Millen was more than holding his own with the "viking warrior," as he is known. "The guys from Europe understand just how good that is, to see Rhys take it to him, because not many people do" noted Doran, who placed 3rd overall in the 2010 European Rallycross championship.





Millen's Hyundai Accent WRC is a bit down on power compared to the dedicated 550hp+ rallycross monsters, but it did well, looks great and is one of the more handsome cars on the track.



Speaking of Liam Doran, luck was not on his side despite setting fastest time in practice and qualifying, and several incidents with various tire barriers severely impacted his weekend.



Still the young Englishman managed a 3rd place finish on Sunday, and his balls to the wall, don't spare the throttle driving was a real hit with the crowd.



Rallying royalty was there as well, with Per Eklund bringing his young racing protegé Toomas Heikkinen over to drive a Saab 9-3 ASS. (yes, that's really the name of the car...)



The 19-year-old has some skill, landing on the podium Saturday and piloting the big sedan to the A-main win on Sunday.



The final volley from Europe was that of Frode Holte, who's Volvo was fast, but ultimately did not fair well in America. Mechanical and accident troubles saw his weekend ultimately slip away without much success, but he had the pace to be a contender.



The man playing defense in all this is America's own Tanner Foust. Tanner, who drove in the 2010 European championship, was dominant throughout the first couple of rounds, taking wins in the A-main finals both times. Rounds 3 and 4 saw his results slip, but he still earned podium finishes both Saturday and Sunday.



Action sport superstar Travis Pastrana was there for Subaru, as was Dave Mirra, but neither had the pace to consistently challenge at the front of the field. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying...both STIs had not a single undamaged panel by the end of the weekend.



Rallycross is not for trailer queens it would seem.



The 2wd cars didn't get much love from NBC during the broadcast of round 1, but it's a real shame as there is a lot of great, very close, competition in the class. Josh Wimpey was leading the championship points going into the weekend, and needed to put his Mk2 GTI as far up the podium as he could to take the win.



Saturday saw his 16v VW outperformed by John Tancredi's Mazda MX5 and Matthew Johnson's Ford Fairmont wagon, leaving him to pick up 3rd in the A-main.



Sunday saw yet another front-row qualifying effort, and after a fierce battle with Matt, finally ended up 2nd in the A-main. Not a win, but enough to clinch the first ever U.S. Rallycross Championship 2wd Title.



A significant achievement, especially when VW is so under represented compared to so many other marques. In fact, I can't think of any professional championships won by a VW in the recent past.



The 2011 schedule has yet to be announced, but if you have the chance I highly recommend going to one of the events. The access to the teams, cars and close action is well worth it.



I hope to have a few interviews set up shortly, watch this space for some exciting, exclusive information.

_WRS

Video Post: Jeff Zwart Pike's Peak Practice in Porsche Performer

Phew...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, is there a more beautiful sound than a Porsche flat-six? I'm not so sure there is...

_WRS

Video Post: Kremer 935 K3 Dyno

I'm always a sucker for a 935...

Kremer Porsche 935K3 Dyno Run

VW support at NJMP #rallycross

Save the 8v - Save the Harlequin Edition

I should honestly know more about this car than I do. Unfortunately however, both times I've spoken with the owners it has been at a show (Dubs at the Beach and H2O International, respectively) and as per usual I'm a bit busy to take down the specifics.



This car is in fact the very first to sport a Save the 8v™ sticker (aside from my own of course) and it was after the owners came back for a second sticker to replace the first that I was finally able to snap some pictures.



Which, by the way seems to be the case with people. Of the many sent, given away, etc, very few images make their way back here once they're on the car. It's cool though...



Not that I'm bitter, heck I'm glad anyone at all thinks it's a cool idea and it's worth putting on their car in the first place. This one in particular is (obviously) one of only 200 Harlequin models sold in the USA, sporting it's Chagall Blue main body color with Tornado Red, Pistachio Green and Ginster Yellow secondary panels.



Like many of the Harlequin Golfs, this one is a slush-box, but it's not likely to stay that way for too long. Plans were originally to be for all motor mods, but at H2O there was discussion of a turbo charger and built bottom end. No matter, as long as it stays 8v! This car was actually rescued from a fate at the junkyard by the current owners (who's names I cannot recall, unfortunately) for something like $1200? Basically it was hit at the rear and was sitting for a number of years before it was discovered, recovered, and put back on the street. The hatch damage, scuffs on the bumper and misaligned rear body seam give away the history, but all things considered it's really not in bad shape.



It's a great example of what a few bucks and a little hard work can do to a car that was ready for the dumpster. For more information on the Harlequins in the States, base color options and even some single color (!?) Harlequins, check out the Harlequin Registry over at Ross VW.

_WRS

Found on Flickr: Audi IMSA GTO 1989

Audi GTO 1989-2
Originally uploaded by Tracer-X

IMSA Audi 90 GTO Quattro. Nothing more to say. Except this.

See the Tracer-X Photostream which has some excellent pictures from back in the 80s. Highly recommended.

_WRS