GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: SiGibbo on 31 July 2008, 15:26
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Hi All
Last week I took my Golf for its first Track Day at Snetterton and I thought I would post a few thoughts and Pics.
I was also there with my Old Man with his Nissan 350z and drove the two cars back to back.
It was a dry day and about 20 degrees (should be good fun but not for the tyres) I was very impressed with the Golf it was very quick in fact a bit quicker than the 350z down the straights and was more than a match for it in the bends as well, it had good traction out of the tight corners and the ESP wasn’t intrusive at all, I thought it would be better than the 350z until I drove it.
What I found when I drove the 350z is that it highlighted a few shortcomings on the Golf and they were.
1. Brakes I had much more confidence on the brakes (brembo) on the Nissan the felt more stable and let me brake a lot latter.
2. Body Roll You could really tell the difference between a low two seater and a high hatchback the Golf rolled a lot more, the tyres screeched for there life but they were silent on the Nissan, and the tyres also started to melt on the nearside on the Golf (snetterton High speed corners are all right handers).
3. Fuel economy believe it or not the 350z was better on fuel but only a small margin Golf 10mpg Nissan 11.5mpg.
Saying all this though I didn’t find it anymore fun in the 350z but it is just more accomplished on the track but at least I could take more people to the track.
The one point that was better in the Golf was throttle response the Golf came out of the corners a lot faster where as you really had to wind the 350 up.
Thanks for reading this also has anyone else done a track day in the Mk5
Cheers
Simon
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/0X1W3088.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/0X1W3434.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/0X1W3582.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/141B0754.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/141B0875.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/141B2352.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/141B2442.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x173/sigibbo/Snetterton%2016th%20July%2008/141B2536.jpg)
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your car looks sweet, you can see how much body roll the gti has in the pics, shame you put the abt kit on it (although it does look very sexy :cool:) as it means you cant really adjust the susspension as youd have no kit left, lol. :smiley: :smiley:
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Nice to see that Datsun didn't seem to be gaining on you much either :wink:
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....Superb pics - Captures the atmosphere well.
What's that other badge on your boot (not the Abt)?
Btw, for track especially, you really need AP Racing brakes - Fronts only will do nicely - You'll be astonished at the difference!
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Some amazing pics and awesome car...
By the way... Is it not a bit fair to compare the GTi to a 350Z? They two different cars and intended for different reasons. Great write up though.
Mike
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Mike, when your on a track mate it's all fair game!! :wink: Lap times would make an interesting read though? Have you got any?
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Hi all
Thanks for your comments to answer a couple of questions
The VS4 badge is to do with the ABT kit the car is sold as an ABT VS4.
Unfortunately we didn’t do any lap times we followed the instructions of BookATrack as they say they will throw you off the circuit if you are caught Timing, I would say that although the 350z has more power and is more composed the Golf was quicker around the track I think its true to say that the DSG is worth about 30 bhp on the track.
As far as the comparison goes it was the only other car I drove that day and I found it interesting to do a back to back comparison of a fwd hot hatch and a rwd coupe, there were also two 07 plated civic type r's there as well and they were nowhere near the Golf on pace.
Cheers
Simon
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A nice read that and some great photos.
By the way... Is it not a bit fair to compare the GTi to a 350Z? They two different cars and intended for different reasons. Great write up though.
I think that was his point though Mike, comparing two different cars to see what they are like on track. The resutls in respect of braking and cornering are as to be expected. The 350z is a car designed from the floor up to be a sports car and go fast, hence why it feels good and gives confidence. The Golf for all it's awesomeness is just a Hot Hatch I.E. a small family car designed for shopping trips and the school run which has been hotted up. The fact that it feels a bit less inspiring under braking and rolls more in the corners is to be expected. The fact it seems it was quicker was probably not expected. This just shows how good the Golf realy is IMO, especially when you look at OTR prices new.
Nick
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Done plenty in mine!!!
Here's some pics of it at Donny Park and Cadwell Park
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Donington%20Park%202007/1891TRAK68-1955.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Donington%20Park%202007/1891TRAK68-1947.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Donington%20Park%202007/1891TRAK68-0213.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Cadwell%20Park%20090208/XSP_3364.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Cadwell%20Park%20090208/CadwellPark.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/ChungsterGTI/Cadwell%20Park%20090208/XSP_3729.jpg)
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looks like the more the cars photo'd, the more bits have come off!!!, did u remove your fog lamp lower grill to insure cool airflow???!
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ITs been removed for toeing you can see the white toeing eye
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Some places won't let you on unless you have a toeing eye fitted. some places you can get away with.