The VW Sport Caravan GTI is our first in-house vintage VW race car project. It was purchased from the second owner who bought the car from rally driver Mark Molnar in 2002. VW gifted the car to Mark in 1991 for winning the 1990 SCCA production class rally championship in a GTI. This one of a kind car was built by Portland Racing, Inc for Volkswagen's VW Sport division for use in 1985.
Eric Randolph in the 1985 IMSA RS / Champion Spark Plug Challenge event in Columbus Ohio. Photo copyright / courtesy of Mark Windecker.
In 1985 VW / VW Sport supported driver Eric Randolph in the IMSA RS / Champion Spark Plug Challenge class. More specifically it was in the front wheel drive ProFormance division.
It is said that this particular GTI was possibly built up for the more aggressive IMSA GTU class, hence the wide fenders and aggressive front air dam which were not legal in IMSA ProFormance. It is not completely out of the question for VW Sport to have been considering this, as VWs had run in GTU in years past, but there is little doubt it would have been overpowered by the Mazda RX7s and Nissan 240SXs that dominated during that time period. This GTI however never saw the track, and was instead sent out on the 'VW Sport Caravan' - a touring group of about 8 cars which would set up shop at various race tracks for people to check out.
David Rugh in the 1985 IMSA RS / Champion Spark Plug Challenge event in Columbus Ohio. Photo copyright / courtesy of Mark Windecker.
It is said that this particular GTI was possibly built up for the more aggressive IMSA GTU class, hence the wide fenders and aggressive front air dam which were not legal in IMSA ProFormance. It is not completely out of the question for VW Sport to have been considering this, as VWs had run in GTU in years past, but there is little doubt it would have been overpowered by the Mazda RX7s and Nissan 240SXs that dominated during that time period. This GTI however never saw the track, and was instead sent out on the 'VW Sport Caravan' - a touring group of about 8 cars which would set up shop at various race tracks for people to check out.
So what is the real story? It's hard to say. There are a few theories, none conclusive. The first, and in our opinion most likely, is that the IMSA GTI was built as a 'toe in the water' concept for a GTU racer out of a spare Portland Racing prepped RS shell. Perhaps VW didn't approve a budget and so onto display it went. The other is that it was just a show car out of a spare Portland Racing shell and never intended as anything more. Either way the fact remains that this is a one of kind race car with clear lineage back to the factory, and we're extremely proud to be the current caretakers of this piece of VW history.
The full IMSA GTI story:
Part 3: Taking stock
Part 4: Paint decisions
Part 5: Information emerges?
Part 5.5: The factory connection proof
Part 5.6: The VW Motorsports Handbook
Part 5.75: Work to be done
Part 5.9: Closer...
Part 5.99: Real work around the corner (getting done with the messy stuff)
Part 4: Paint decisions
Part 5: Information emerges?
Part 5.5: The factory connection proof
Part 5.6: The VW Motorsports Handbook
Part 5.75: Work to be done
Part 5.9: Closer...
Part 5.99: Real work around the corner (getting done with the messy stuff)
Can you help fill in some of these blanks? If you have anything at all to offer up about the IMSA GTI we'd love to hear from you. Whether it's pictures from the VW Caravan back in 1985, information about Portland Racing, Eric Randolph or VW Sport in the 1980s, please get in touch.
Our sponsors: The following companies have contributed parts, resources or support. If you would like to be involved in the IMSA GTI project just send us an email at the above link and we'll be happy to discuss any current opportunities.
-NGP Racing
Our sponsors: The following companies have contributed parts, resources or support. If you would like to be involved in the IMSA GTI project just send us an email at the above link and we'll be happy to discuss any current opportunities.
-NGP Racing
Our plans: The IMSA GTI will be restored to track-ready condition by our newly formed offshoot Group-55. Our goal is to keep everything as original as possible, and we'll be running it in various vintage racing series starting in 2012. See you at the track!
