ben@p2spec
Ready to race!
- Location
- Tustin, CA
Hello all fellow MK5ers, we'd like to present our write-up and review of our first successful track day (one of many we hope!) as an active tuner shop in the SoCal region.
In the last few days, we've been approached by well-known tuning, motorsport and development companies to become their local testbed for real, live product Q&A and feedback/review - and we have, of course, been frantically looking for an excuse to kill many birds at once...hence the first opportunity at a track event seemed 'perfect'. Thanks to fellow board members PandaGTI and iGTI for the great company and undoubtedly valuable trackside support
.
Our special thanks goes out to:
•VMR Wheels (http://www.vmrwheels.com) for the use of Nitto NT-01 R Compound track tires on VMR V701s - Matte Black Finish (18x8.5 all-around).
•DIESELGEEK (http://www.dieselgeek.com) for developing such a wonderful piece of machinery in a short shift kit - SIGMA6 (MK6 compatible and more).
•PowerChip - Tuning Development, USA (http://www.powerchipgroup.com)for happily accepting our very own "DIRTY CANDY" into their chiptuning development cycle.
Track pictures as follows:
As far as the actual track day experience, I am completely pleased with how well our MK6 GTIs function in a track environment. We've got solid all-around platforms and the three VWs joining up this day represented the VW crowd quite well (yes, we were the only VWs on the track). We were all setup with different configurations to cross compare our mods and both PandaGTI and iGTI can definitely provide commentary on these comparisons between their own vehicles and our own shop MK6.
Remember, at this certain point of time, Dirty Candy is equipped with the following performance altering aftermarket products:
•Handling
B&G S2 Sport Springs coupled w/ Stock Dampers
•Drivetrain
Dieselgeek.com SIGMA6 Short Shift Kit
•Engine
Powerchip "StageX" ECU Tuning (equivalent gains as the APR S1, and am assuming the rest of the "Stage 1" tuning world). Some of you locals have definitely, DEFINITELY had enough behind the wheel time with our shop car to know what this feels like, yes, even some of you MK5ers!
•Tires
Nitto NT01 on VMR-V701 Wheels (a sticky square setup, 18x8.5 all around, non-staggered, ideal for track setups)
Otherwise, DC remains completely stock, from intake, exhaust, dampers, sways, etc.
If you're unfamiliar with Buttonwillow, the exact track configuration of the day is outlined here and I will do my best to be very thorough with the driving experience in relation to the modifications configured above.
(Image from buttonwillraceway.com)
VMR Wheels VMRV701 18x8.5 / Nitto NT01 -225/40/18, Squared, Non-staggered setup.
While some people are exhibiting some wheel rubbing issues with ET45 wheels, I had exhibited none during the track event, even at the most torturous turns of the track (i.e. the 2-3 transition, 3 itself, 4, 5, and 6. This may be a combination of correct ride height with the B&G, but I'm more inclined to say that the wheels/tires were setup just right, very specific for this car. NT01s also run very square walled compared to any other kind of tire available.
Aesthetic standpoints? The V701 wheelspoke pattern looks gorgeous on and off the track and the rolling shots display the V701 faces in motion. They perform just fine on the track, especially wrapped on R compounds. As compared to a non-staggered setup and Bridgestone's... these are definitely a step way up. . Remember, as compared to the stock Huffs, these wheels were at least 5-6lbs lighter for our DC all around. For an overall oustanding look, value, and weight loss from stock, it'll be pretty hard to rival a VMR V701 wheelset! Another plus to these wheels is that they accomodate for the use of OE lugnuts (a savings of nearly $4 per lug if your local dealership is friendly enough to you). Please remember to TRIPLE-CHECK your bolts by using a torque wrench, especially in a high-speed motorsport environment!
VMR V701s are available from P2SPEC by clicking -> HERE <- for more info.
More soon after mental-recovery of the experience
In the last few days, we've been approached by well-known tuning, motorsport and development companies to become their local testbed for real, live product Q&A and feedback/review - and we have, of course, been frantically looking for an excuse to kill many birds at once...hence the first opportunity at a track event seemed 'perfect'. Thanks to fellow board members PandaGTI and iGTI for the great company and undoubtedly valuable trackside support
.Our special thanks goes out to:
•VMR Wheels (http://www.vmrwheels.com) for the use of Nitto NT-01 R Compound track tires on VMR V701s - Matte Black Finish (18x8.5 all-around).
•DIESELGEEK (http://www.dieselgeek.com) for developing such a wonderful piece of machinery in a short shift kit - SIGMA6 (MK6 compatible and more).
•PowerChip - Tuning Development, USA (http://www.powerchipgroup.com)for happily accepting our very own "DIRTY CANDY" into their chiptuning development cycle.
Track pictures as follows:
As far as the actual track day experience, I am completely pleased with how well our MK6 GTIs function in a track environment. We've got solid all-around platforms and the three VWs joining up this day represented the VW crowd quite well (yes, we were the only VWs on the track). We were all setup with different configurations to cross compare our mods and both PandaGTI and iGTI can definitely provide commentary on these comparisons between their own vehicles and our own shop MK6.
Remember, at this certain point of time, Dirty Candy is equipped with the following performance altering aftermarket products:
•Handling
B&G S2 Sport Springs coupled w/ Stock Dampers
•Drivetrain
Dieselgeek.com SIGMA6 Short Shift Kit
•Engine
Powerchip "StageX" ECU Tuning (equivalent gains as the APR S1, and am assuming the rest of the "Stage 1" tuning world). Some of you locals have definitely, DEFINITELY had enough behind the wheel time with our shop car to know what this feels like
, yes, even some of you MK5ers!•Tires
Nitto NT01 on VMR-V701 Wheels (a sticky square setup, 18x8.5 all around, non-staggered, ideal for track setups)
Otherwise, DC remains completely stock, from intake, exhaust, dampers, sways, etc.
If you're unfamiliar with Buttonwillow, the exact track configuration of the day is outlined here and I will do my best to be very thorough with the driving experience in relation to the modifications configured above.
(Image from buttonwillraceway.com)
VMR Wheels VMRV701 18x8.5 / Nitto NT01 -225/40/18, Squared, Non-staggered setup.
While some people are exhibiting some wheel rubbing issues with ET45 wheels, I had exhibited none during the track event, even at the most torturous turns of the track (i.e. the 2-3 transition, 3 itself, 4, 5, and 6. This may be a combination of correct ride height with the B&G, but I'm more inclined to say that the wheels/tires were setup just right, very specific for this car. NT01s also run very square walled compared to any other kind of tire available.
Aesthetic standpoints? The V701 wheelspoke pattern looks gorgeous on and off the track and the rolling shots display the V701 faces in motion. They perform just fine on the track, especially wrapped on R compounds
. As compared to a non-staggered setup and Bridgestone's... these are definitely a step way up. . Remember, as compared to the stock Huffs, these wheels were at least 5-6lbs lighter for our DC all around. For an overall oustanding look, value, and weight loss from stock, it'll be pretty hard to rival a VMR V701 wheelset! Another plus to these wheels is that they accomodate for the use of OE lugnuts (a savings of nearly $4 per lug if your local dealership is friendly enough to you). Please remember to TRIPLE-CHECK your bolts by using a torque wrench, especially in a high-speed motorsport environment!VMR V701s are available from P2SPEC by clicking -> HERE <- for more info.
More soon after mental-recovery of the experience
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