VW Passat R36 Track Days?

[sanchez]

Hey Boys, been a while since i logged in here! How we all been? Hows the beasts treating you all? I still get a smile on my face every time I jump in the R36!

Ok back to business... I done some searching in the forum and couldnt find much info so thought I would post something in here specially related to any track day events for the Passats?

Does VW host any specific track days for their range of models? I read something about a VW driving experience but not sure how you would get an invite to that and you dont get to drive your own cars either

Looking to take the R36 on track for a bit of a beating but not sure if there is anything available. Are there any alternatives available if any without a CAMS license? I know Phillip Island has some track meets but I am pretty sure you need your CAMS license?

If someone could help me out or point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it

Cheers

[sanchez]

Not one reply... lol! Nobody knows?

[sloutch]

Hey Boys, been a while since i logged in here! How we all been? Hows the beasts treating you all? I still get a smile on my face every time I jump in the R36!

Ok back to business... I done some searching in the forum and couldnt find much info so thought I would post something in here specially related to any track day events for the Passats?

No, i don't think there are any Passat specific track days organised before.

Does VW host any specific track days for their range of models? I read something about a VW driving experience but not sure how you would get an invite to that and you dont get to drive your own cars either

Personally never heard of such an event before . Maybe check with the Golf guys on this forum

Looking to take the R36 on track for a bit of a beating but not sure if there is anything available. Are there any alternatives available if any without a CAMS license? I know Phillip Island has some track meets but I am pretty sure you need your CAMS license?

A nice track i suggest you bring your R36 to is Winton. During trackdays with other car clubs, i'm pretty sure you can purchase an AASA license on the spot and don't require CAMS license. PI is quite a high speed track, i suggest starting out at either Sandown or Winton if you are a beginner.

If someone could help me out or point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it

Cheers

[R36FTW]

No specific events I've heard of. Passats aren't exactly sporty either, tracking one would be the equivalent of playing a game of golf for a 'hit and a giggle'. That said definitely start with lower speed tracks where it's easier to determine braking points and apexes. Don't want to end up in the sticks in your semi-luxury saloon. Broadford about an hour north of melbourne is a good track too, usually frequented by bike riders but there's the occasional meet there. Every time we go there with the Evo's there's a bunch of other cars out too - usually some porches and bmw's.

Make sure you set the car up properly if you go, you don't want to scrub through a set of fronts in a few laps (semi slicks would be ideal depending how serious you are and how hard you want to drive) - the haldex mod would be very desirable especially if you aren't at a driving level where you can somewhat drive around the cars natural understeering tendencies (you've probably already found out how badly R36's handle in stock form once you start to push them). Be very careful you don't boil your brake fluid and come in after a couple of laps to let things cool down.

[Cro]

I did a track day 3 years ago now at Wakefield Park, I think I ended up doing 1:12 laps on the really bad Dunlop SP01's.
I've always wanted to go back with some better tyres. I have some PS3's that still have some life on them, might put them back on the car and see if I can get under 1:10.
I don't think the R36 handles badly, you just need to work out how to get the car to divert the power before any understeer occurs. The track is the perfect place to do this.

[R36FTW]

Well it seems they don't like left foot braking and if you come into a corner in the typical way under brakes and off throttle it's essentially a front wheel drive and understeers like a beast as you get back on it through the corner. The Haldex mod is supposed to reduce this significantly. The upgraded Haldex controllers were released by Haldex as apparently they were unhappy with the way they were implemented into cars ie: causing understeer. Configured properly (with better controllers) cars with Haldex systems handle a lot better than from the factory.

[GTI147]

Hey Boys, been a while since i logged in here! How we all been? Hows the beasts treating you all? I still get a smile on my face every time I jump in the R36!

Ok back to business... I done some searching in the forum and couldnt find much info so thought I would post something in here specially related to any track day events for the Passats?

Does VW host any specific track days for their range of models? I read something about a VW driving experience but not sure how you would get an invite to that and you dont get to drive your own cars either

Looking to take the R36 on track for a bit of a beating but not sure if there is anything available. Are there any alternatives available if any without a CAMS license? I know Phillip Island has some track meets but I am pretty sure you need your CAMS license?

If someone could help me out or point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it

Cheers

Sanchez,

VW for some reason didn't have the Driver experience for the R36s and rather for the Golf GTIs and Rs. If you want to have a give your R36 a fang then I suggest Sandown as it is not a tedious track and enjoyable. Winton will require more concentration as the track has more turns. I've took my R36 to Sandown last year and was good fun. This company does non timed track days and does not require CAMS Driver Dynamics Australia - Victoria's Most Experienced Driver Training Provider. Kevin Flynn (owner) is a really nice guy and if you want you can also ask for their instructors to jump in your car and give you driving tips!

Goodluck!

[sanchez]

Thanks for the feedback fellas, some real interesting points some of you have made

Based on some of the feedback, is it necessary to make adjustments to the car before heading out there? I am not looking to drive the absolute hell out of it, just wanted to give it a decent workout.

The only thing I was considering doing was changing the street tyres on it so i didnt fry them. Which ones would you guys recommend that are reasonably priced for this kind of driving?

I've took my R36 to Sandown last year and was good fun. This company does non timed track days and does not require CAMS Driver Dynamics Australia - Victoria's Most Experienced Driver Training Provider

Nice dude... This was kind of the direction I was intending when I posted. Did you change anything on the car when you went down there? Also which event did you do there?

[GTI147]

The car itself is actually pretty good on stock setup. I ran with the stock tyres and actually, at the end of the day it was still very good. Unless you intend to do more of these race days then I would invest in a set otherwise the once or twice a year is not going to fry your tyres. Driver Dynamics is probably the best bang for your buck for no limit driving around Sandown!