Hello all!!

Hi, I have just found this site, looks good! Just thought I'd introduce myself.

My name is Tom, I am about to reach the big 25, I currently drive around in a 99 Porsche Boxster 2.5 and a 99 MK4 Golf TDi (Work horse) with a little bit of Ice and some 17" Wheels. I have previously owned an 83 MK1 1.1c (GTi Look-a-like) and an 89 MK1 Clipper Cabriolet, Other than that I have also owned an 02 Ibiza Cupra.

I am now in a situation where I feel I need to grow up a little and make the giant leap onto the bottom of the property ladder, so my Boxster may have to go, (although keeping it till mid summer as I have a trip to lemans planned).

Now once the Boxster goes the fun element needs to be put back with the introduction of another car, and as a keen Track dayer I am thinking of building/buying a Track car, and as a keen VW fan i am thinking of a MK1 or 2 Golf GTi as a start……. What are peoples thoughts on this?

I will be lurking around the site looking for information etc.

tj,

Mk1's make excellent track day cars because of the handling and excellent power to weight ration straight out of the box.  One of our members is competing in Stock Hatch - I'm sure he can give you some good pointers.

Mk1's look so good on the track but I hate to think of another Mk1 getting totalled in an "off"!?!? :cry:

Mk2's aren't bad cars for track days as they too handle well if set up properly and are so much cheaper and easier to get parts (such as body panels) for than a Mk1 - I would consider this option.

A lot of people find the mk1 more fun than the mk2 as the handling is a bit more lively and the car weighs quite a bit less. Plenty of tuning options obviously.

Downsides are the brakes are less effective, panels are harder to find and getting a good shell will take some time.

Mk2s may be a better bet due to superior rust protection, rear disk brakes as standard and the 16v engine is a good choice for track days, also there are loads of them and they are now much cheaper than a solid mk1.

My choice for a cheap trackday car would be an scruffy but sound early 16v mk2, (D-reg onwards). Get a sound one from ?500 upwards, spend ?2k on suspension and brakes and you'll have something which will worry a lot of cars on a trackday.

Cheers,

Drew.