LVS Racing's track toy

Over the last three years we been building a mk1 Leon 1.8t track car. We have probably only done 3-4 track days in it and it has been so much fun. Unfortunately we also realised we needed another 2 tfsi mk5 platform car ideally.

So as much as its cost us we decided to break the Leon for spares and start the look for a Golf mk5 gti. 24 hours after making this decision I found a real nice black golf gti mk5 with all the usual +2 software and hardware at a very good price.

So we have just returned with a mk5 golf and boy does it shift!!! Can't wait to get some proper suspension setup on the vehicle. Only had it 2 hours and we have already booked a track day at Bedford a week sat!!


Pics to follow

As the spring time is now here, thought it was about time both myself (Pat) and Andy spent some time on the LVSR Golf..

We have just really driven the vehicle since we brought the car back in November and bar having a Major service (Thanks to our sister company LVS) and an MOT the vehicle now is ready to have to more modifications applied.

Here the spec so far

Engine

2.0 tfsi (2007)
K04 turbo fitted back in 2012
Revo PCV Delete Kit
Revo Intake System
Milltek Full TB None Res System (R32) style rear box
Autotek Fuel Pump
THS Intercooler
Revo (Stage 3) Software
Estimated 350+bhp

Interior

Full Heated Electric Recaros
Folding Mirrors


Suspension

Coilover Kit (We think FK)

Brakes

S3 Front setup (For now)
Rear GTI Solid Brakes

Wheels

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 18"

[/URL][/IMG]

The first thing we altered on the vehicle was the software..

The Golf was running an unknown map which was good BUT very aggressive, nothing happened until the revs hit 4k and then basically all hell let loose. This was great fun but on the road we found it undriveable. LVS Racing have been a Revo dealer for over 5 years now so it made sense to install Revo Software. Due to the car having a K04 Turbo fitted we have to run a custom Stage 3 file for it to work as it should

Once the software was installed both myself and Andy jumped in the car and as we do with all maps we install data logged the vehicle down the road to set it up.. After an hour of adjustments and playing with different settings we pretty much got the vehicle as we wanted, the little Golf now had a better delivery of power lower down and pulled all the way to the limiter. Granted we still suffer with wheel spin 1st 2nd and 3rd..

A week later we were invited to Bedford Aerodrome for a track day.. Andy was away so it left myself to go and enjoy the day (What a shame!!!) Both myself and close friend set off early hours to -5 conditions with another set of wheels in the back (R888) just in case the temperatures increased.. Once we arrived we found many vehicles such as Astons, Porches and Ferrari`s and even an Atom (which happened to be Andys brother)

We did our warm up laps but the back straight was literally iced over and at 90 mph, I found the little golf lighting the front wheels up .. We left it till mid morning until the sun came out to venture back out. We swapped over to the R888 tyres and set off.. The first 2 laps were a little scary if I`m honest due to lack of traction with the R888 struggling for heat.. The front were easy to get heat into due to wheel spin but the rears took a couple of laps. We eventually managed to get some grip and started I quickly learned the track.. until it all came to a sudden halt.. On the back straight touching 140mph and hitting the brakes the car started to shake and the vibration in the car was horrendous. I pulled back into the pits and found one of the rear calipers smoking and an extremely hot disc . We see so many vehicles come into the garage with seized calipers and this was a prime example, typical of a mk5 chassis.

I left the car an hour to cool down, in the mean time Ian asked if I would like a passenger ride in the Atom.. (Silly question) I was in the passenger seat and waiting to go under a minute . We did a couple of warm up laps first of all, even warming up we was passing pretty much every vehicle on track.. After a few laps Ian hit the gas and I was literally blown away not just from the speed of the Atom but more the braking and cornering speeds this machine could handle.. We must have covered at least 15 laps before we came back into the pits.. To which Ian asked "What do you think??" I replied "Truly amazing"!!!

I jumped back into the golf and thought I`d try another couple of laps to see what happens but after 3 laps the vibration came back and I had to take a slow ride home.. All in all I still enjoyed the day, the golf was perfect just the rear brakes ruined the day but this is what shake downs are about..