Sandown track day - Golf R

[JAE_73]

Hi, i'm new to the forum and new to the VW brand.

I purchased a new Golf R in November and spent yesterday at Sandown. Wasn't really sure what to expect - my only other experience on the track involved FPV F6 and some demo days with car dealers (speed limited and restricted straights).

I was really impressed with the performance of the R... and more than a little intimidated when the track instructor swapped seats and showed me how to do it... 1.27sec Terry Bowe vs 1.33sec my best lap.

19" stock rubber was a little spongy by the afternoon, but the brakes held up really well ( i had upgraded the brake fluid to Castrol SRF racing fluid).

There was a couple of 911 Porsche, 3 BMWs (including an incredible track weapon new M3 with supercharger kit), Aussie muscle (HSV utes), an FPV turbo with heavily mods and array of WRX, EVO and Renaults...

Well done to John Bowe racing - great day and some top blokes (and two ladies)...

[ING36R]

Hey,

Welcome to the VW brand, do you know when the next track day at sandown is?

Would really like to get involved and give my R36 a good introduction to the track. I have done philip island in E90/92 M3 and was effortless, obviously my car is no M3 just be interesting to see how my car will go.

Sandown is a good beginner track as smaller and not as high speed as PI.

Out of curiosity, was the supcharged M3 a white coupe? If its the one im thinking, it was done by Peter Fitzgerald AKA Evolve Tecknic and puts out 400+kw.

How you find the Golf R compared to FPV F6?

[Water Boy]

Good to see an R driver out giving his car a good thrashing!

[JAE_73]

I have previously owned a 2007 F6.. i had upgraded the injectors and an ECU remap... the FPV was very fast in straight lines... but was pretty wild in the wet and I needed to be careful getting on the pedal out of corners. Not looking to sh*t can any brands, but i found the diff to be harsh and the hard plastics/interior quite rough..

The refinement of the R has been fantastic... i've heard some mixed feedback on the DSG, but i really love this box.

You are correct on the M3 - this was white (but it was a sedan)... i believe Peter Fitzgerald did run the mods.

I'm trying to convince a mate of mine to get his R36 on the track... it's a great car and would be well suited to Sandown.. I'll probably hit the track next in Aug/Sept and aim for Winton. If you check with John Bowe driving, i'm sure you will find some coming dates at Sandown..?