Howdy, I joined this forum specifically for this post/sub-forum. (I'm also on a VW Racers group on Facebook, but I miss old forums where information stays and is relatively easy to search, not lost and hard to find based on whatever the current algorithm is).
I have a 2019 GTI Rabbit Edition (DSG) that I took to VIR last weekend with the Tidewater Sports Car Club. This was my 2nd day on track at VIR, and first time out with the VW. I previously tracked a 2011 Mazda2 that had way too much money sunk into it over the ~8 years I drove it. It met a wall last summer at Mid-Ohio during Sundae Cup TT with Gridlife and the GTI is the replacement. For reference, the 97whp Mazda2 with highly developed suspension ran a 2.38.1 at VIR Full last February with TSCC. I had a friend (who has a few TT5 class wins with NASA) run a 2.35.4 in the 2, mostly carrying more speed through South Bend and Hog Pen same day. The Sunday last year was snowed out so only got a single day on track at VIR.
For reference it was my first time back on track since the Mid-Ohio accident where I hit the inside tire wall at 55mph sideways per the data, stock belts and seats... no HANS/Hybrid-S at the time... ended up with a concussion that lasted over a week. Poor balance, blacked out once, etc. Definitely could have been far worse. There is video floating around from the view of the car behind me somewhere. In a nutshell guy ahead of me dipped two off and made a huge dust cloud. This just happened to be on my first attempted "flyer" lap and was full tilt at 90mph at the apex, can't really lift at that point, I had no visual reference for track limits (my first weekend there, early on the second day), dipped two off myself not knowing it, hooked and spun to the inside.
Details on the 2 if you care are all documented here:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/f...t-2011-mazda2-for-track-dayhpde/177202/page1/
I bought a Hybrid-S before going back on track. One of the primary reasons for buying the GTI is it's a MUCH safer crash structure than most other vehicles in it's class. While my Mazda2 didn't have a front impact, the chances of a wheel crushing the pedal box and mangling your feet is very real in that thing. I did not want something that would NEED a full cage, etc because then I've got something I can't enjoy on the street. I wanted something that needed minimal screwing with to not be painfully slow. GTI capable of low 2:20s - high 2:10s when driven properly first that bill. Also it's just a nice car to drive in general on the street. I love this thing.
Onto last weekend:
I worked my speed up throughout the day on Saturday. Ultimately did several 2:28s over a few sessions, with my single best lap being a 2:26.05. Weather was about 65F-70F on Saturday when I ran quickest.
Car info:
Bone stock 2019 GTI Rabbit Edition aside from fresh DS2500 pads and Zimmerman rotors from FCP (this is part of my strategy to keep consumable costs down... hah), Motul 600 fluid, on 225/40R18 Michelin PS A/S 3+ on stock wheels, with the following VCDS adaptations done:
Code:
APPLIED ADAPTATIONS:
03 Brakes
- Brake booster - 25004 (stock 5, set to 2)
- Expanded differential lock (XDS)- 20103 (stock standard, set to weak)
- Straight ahead brake stabilization - 25757 (stock activated, set to not activated)
- Hydralic Brake Assistant - 11966 (stock normal, set to not activated)
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32 Differential locks
- Acoustic measure: wiring logic (stock standard, set to increased traction)
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A9 Structure borne sound
- Volume of structure borne noise actuator (stock 100, set to 0)
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I also have the ABS module coded to allow TCS/VSC full off, but I actually just ran the car in ASR Sport mode the entire weekend. Had no problems and it didn't intervene to the point of being noticeable, etc.
Video of my quickest lap:
Definitely have another 3 sec in it just as it sits. Mostly through turns 2-3, the esses, exiting Oak Tree, and through Hog Pen. A lot of the corner exit issues were form me leaving the DSG in "S" mode and not manually downshifting it. I was primarily trying to focus on the driving line on Saturday. Unfortunately on Sunday I only got one session in (but pulled off a 2:26.97) in 45F conditions... with an umbrella on track between T13/14 that I'm guessing flew out of someone's car
![Roll eyes :rolleyes: :rolleyes:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
... I was tired as hell and didn't want to push myself while losing focus. Weather was getting crappier as the day went on as well so got a head start on the 3.5hr drive home.
/ rambling post