Hans-Joachim Stuck interview on Ausringers

The Nurburgring is probably the most talked about race circuit in the world these days. With everyone from GM to Nissan, Porsche to Dodge and who knows who else using it as the benchmark test -nevermind that it's all self-reported and more or less worthless- a car's "Ring time" has become quite the buzz word for any performance car.

Hans-Joachim Stuck should be synonymous with the 'Ring for any person who claims to be into four-wheeled vehicles (and if not, shame on you, go read some history books and then come back) and AUSringers has a killer interview with the man himself. A legend for many reasons, he is know for being particularly adept at driving in the rain, hence his nick name the "Rainmaster" ("Regenmeister" for those who speak Deutsch).

HJS became one of my most favorite drivers when I watched him on television at the 12 hours of Sebring race sometime in the late 90's. It was a particularly stormy race, and Hans was behind the wheel of a Porsche 993 GT2 twin turbo. Not only was there a torrential downpour...one of those Sebring storms that makes you wonder how anyone is driving at any speed resembeling fast...but Stuck was actually making up time and passing much faster cars. All the while the windows were fogging up in the worst way, making visibility pretty much zero. Stuck was driving around the track, sliding and making corrections one-handed, while trying to wipe off the windshield so he could see. I'll never forget the in-car footage on the backstretch, through turn 17, down the start / finish. If only I could find that on youtube and post it up...

Anyways, I can't seem to find any decent pictures of one of those GT2's on the track...there seems to be a bit of a vortex swallowing them up, but I have a couple I'll scan in later. At any rate, they were bad ass, no other way to put it.
So to finally get to the point, VW Motorsport now has Herr Stuck on the payroll, and he'll be once again piloting a Scirocco GT24 at this years Nurnburgring 24. Check out the interview over at AUSringers, it's well worth reading. While you're over there you can download an awesome desktop sized version of the image at the top of the post. Do it now!

AUSringers HJS Interview

_WRS

Scirocco GT24, while we're on the subject

I can't tell you how pleased I am to finally have a Volkswagen racer as successful at its task as the the Scirocco GT24. A superb performance on all accounts, both in the preparation of the cars and the performance of the drivers. Of course, when you have the one and only Hans-Joachim Stuck on your team at the 'Ring, the driving talent equation is not in doubt.
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It's been a long time coming too. Too often Volkswagen seems content to allow the Audi brand to take the glory and the racing budget, leaving the flagship brand -for me anyway- drifting in the wind with semi-obscure Rally machines. Either entry level Super 1600 machines like the Polo kit car, or completely off the chart desert racers like the Touareg, which has little to do with the production model. Not that I don't love the Polo rally cars, but where was the GT3 for us VW fans? Where was the link between the track and the street? Finally it is here.

The Scirocco GT24 is a purpose built, no expense spared racecar, don't doubt that for a second, but the base car and its key components are essentially what you get with a new VW GTI. 2.0t TSi engine, DSG transmission, the works. The fact that they chose a DSG transmission and even more so the fact that all three cars not only finished the race, but claimed the top two spots in class really proves that when they put their mind to it, VW can go racing as well as anybody.

Sure it has a carbon fiber body, massive 362mm, 6-piston front brakes, an upgraded clutch package and limited slip differential to cope with increased output of 325hp and 296lb/ft of torque, and so on, but the DNA is there. It's the same uni-body construction, plus you can get most all of those upgraded items in the aftermarket. It feels good. Should you chose to upgrade your own VW 2.0t, you can even buy the same fuel pump used on the GT24 from APR here in the USA. No joke!

The only thing that would make me happier would be for VW to keep these cars in action and race them in a series. Preferably over here in the states. Granted, in this economy that may be asking a bit much, but a man can dream.

Also, VW, please sell this car in the USA. I've heard about the 20R model in the works. All wheel drive, DSG, S3 motor (same as the one used at the ring!). That would be enough for me to sell off my first born to get one on order.

As a bonus, check out this uber-cool clip from sportbilen.com of in-car footage at Sturup raceway in Sweden. In the rain no less!