I may have just died and gone to heaven.

I don't have much to say about this, other than WOW. I have often, very recently in fact, lamented that so much of the classic sportscar racing of our times has occurred pre-internet. The Porsche 956, 962, 935's and what not are fairly abundant in still pictures, or perhaps highlighted in Le Mans coverage. Usually finding those highlights means sifting through seemingly endless links on youtube, half of which have poor video quality, poor audio, or both. Toyota, Jaguar, Nissan, Mazda. Brands that used to have a huge commitment to real motorsport. (I don't count F1, sorry folks)

Well apparently I wasn't alone in wishing there was more of this stuff to go around...the real racing footage I mean, from Daytona in the 80's and 90's, from Laguna, Sebring, Lime Rock; all of the classic USA tracks. As I was listening to Radio Le Mans' Midweek Motorsport show, Marshall Pruett made a mention of his brand new website, www.grandtouringprototype.com. A site all about IMSA, sports prototypes, and the classic race battles featuring the names and cars of a bygone era. And what a site it is! We're not talking about 10 minute clips. We're not talking about a few bits of info, we're talking about full features. Hours and hours of video content and more, all direct from the vault of IMSA. (granted, it's a video vault, so there are SOME quality problems, but it's nothing too crazy) Once again, all I can say is wow, and that I'll be busy for the next, oh, 10 years with all the great content on the site.

GTP: 1989 Portland IMSA GTP Race Broadcast from GrandTouringPrototype.com on Vimeo.

For example, this 1989 clip from Portland. It's a full hour and a half of coverage! Amazing. I know I for one will be keeping a very keen eye on Marshall's site, and may put in a request for some Audi 90 Quattro coverage if he has it...granted it's GTO and not GTP, but I'll be sure to post up if it's available. I take no responsibility for any missed dates, being late to work, or anything else that may happen when you become engrossed in the content.

_WRS

Rose colored glasses day at the WRS

They say that the past is always seen through Rose colored glasses, and I think to a certain extent that is always true. Was the racing really that much better back in the day? It certainly seems like it, but then again it probably wasn't. We've seen our fair share of very close racing these days, and there are a ton of manufacturers involved in a wide range of motorsports, but none seem to capture the power, the look and the insanity of the late 80's Group C / IMSA GTP racing. I look at the 90's as a pretty significant period in sports car and endurance racing, but back then all I could think about was how I wished the mighty Group C cars were still around. Another 10 years and I'll be doing the same thing. (right now I wish that there was a proper Porsche P1 car..turbocharged 6, natch)



Here is a clip (one of twelve!) of the 1987 IMSA GTP series at Laguna Seca. Check out these cars. The Lowenbrau 962, Jaguars, Nissans. Scary fast turbocharged brutes...I mean the Nissan was running 900 horsepower! They'd never let you get away with that these days. Anyways, words don't do much justice. Check out part one, and then head on over to the Youtube for the full race.

_WRS

P.S. - I didn't forget about my last post saying I'd have more about the VW Powered Sports Prototype, I just don't feel like writing it yet...

Random old school VW crash of the day

I remember seeing this video for the first time back around 2002 or so. Guess there is something to be said for tires that have just a BIT too much grip in them, stock suspension, and getting it wrong in a big way. From the looks of the heap after it's done rolling I'd say the driver was lucky he had a helmet on, I can't tell if it had a full rollcage but I'd say it at least has a 4-point bar. Not pretty, but it's an honorable way for a good Volkswagen to die.

PS: That website isn't around anymore, just letting you know before you go checking for more footage of this.

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!

first post, a greeting

It occurs to me that much like Volkswagen's somewhat spotty and inconsistent racing history, there is a real lack of quality, interesting, motorsport oriented content on the web relating specifically to VW. Sure it's out there, spread across the Internet in bits and bytes, but it's not in a place that's easy to navigate, easy to read, and perhaps most importantly, interesting to read. With VW's success at the Nurburgring 24 hours with their three Scirocco GT24 race cars, along with some wistful memories of VW's past motorsport endeavors (or near misses) I figured why not. I love VW's, I love motorsport, and I don't see enough coverage out there. Sure I love a slammed GTI with pulled and stretched tires, as long as it's not on air-ride of course, but you don't need the flash when you've got it where it counts. On the track, trail, whatever. So welcome aboard. Join me as we look back into the vaults and look to the future of Volkswagen Racing.

_WolfsburgRS