Here we go again...........

[Rob S]

Freshly enthused by Sundays sprint, I've hatched a wee plan for the Golf Stu kindly sent my way.( Thanks mate!!)
It currently is standard apart from a Remus back box and an exhaust system that makes some peculiar noises from cold:blush5:
It's a fairly tame N/A 2.0 16v, and with ahem 142,000 miles on it, I won't be worrying about tuning the last horse out of it.
I've got some uprated springs to stop me swaying gently in the breeze, and fingers crossed got some 888's put aside from a friend of a friend.
The plan is to lob them on the 15's, and use some 16's for daily use.
The Golf seems to handle fairly neutrally (is that a word?) and once rolling, gets along ok. Still don't think I'll be troubling too many people, but to be honest, spectatings not all it's cracked up to be.
For the forseeable, it will be my only car, but the long term plan is more in line with the old E30 (No I don't mean questionable styling and no power:smilielol5:)


Anyway enough rambling, here's some pics of my 4th Golf and 5th VW (Amazingly not some surplus army colour, even having been in the big mans custody for a year)











What can possibly go wrong?:driving:

[Gerry H]

Very nice Rob

Putting two and two together, I now realise how you suddenly appeared at NW on Sunday. Did you really sneak in under cover with a bunch of VW freaks?

[pablo]

Golf's are good cars both for the road and track, hope this one is kind to you.

Just a thought could you not borrow a works car for track use...a nice focus st or something simular, failing that something with bright graphics would do

[Stuart]

I love the way you take a photograph of an open door inset with dust on it..........that does wipe off

This has the potential to be a right giggle. I loved the car as it was and I'm quite sure the springs and R888's will give you plenty to smile about. The exhaust rattle on start uo is a heat shield I think. Just remember not to lean too hard on the old girl when out on track. The super sticky tyres will work those old bushes and bearings quite hard and as you, if you start changing one of those, you'll start changing all of them.

[Bealo]

Good on you Rob....

Be good to see you on track again

[Rob S]

could you not borrow a works car for track use...a nice focus st or something simular, failing that something with bright graphics would do

Not quite me mate, but it's a long story!!
One day, when funds permit and my wife stops spending I'll get a daily driver, and then strip the life out of this, attack it with some paint and power tools .....hang on a minute, that sounds strangely familiar!

@Stuart,
As for leaning on it too hard, I spun it on a sighting lap unless you forget (I don't think you would have done, there's still a stain on the passenger seat) so I think it's just a case of stopping it falling on it's side at the first corner, and building up from there.

First things first though, Mrs came home today and said "Someones hit my car" and I go out and see the front wing and drivers side door dented, scraped and gouged with masonry paint. I, feeling something like a cross between a Cash machine and a punching bag say something like "Yes a post has jumped out and attacked the car", and she's obviously not having it. Her comment of "I've admitted every other time I've hit it, so why not now?" says it all.
In the morning I'll be getting a quote for
1. Front bumper repair and paint
2. Rear bumper repair and paint
3. Both doors repaired and paint (I hope they don't need skins)
4. New osf wing and paint.
The only frigging panel thats straight is the bloody roof and thats cos it's a bloody cabriolet:svengo:
I'm tempted to see how long the scrappage scheme is on for and get rid of it as is later, but at the moment she's managed to do all the above in a year.
Stevie Wonder school of driving or what?

[russ979]

So is there any chance you will be joining us next year, and taking the golf on some sprints?

[Rob S]

I love the way you take a photograph of an open door inset with dust on it..........that does wipe off

Stu, I'm just bloody grateful it's not rollered black!

@ Russ
Not unless I win the lottery mate!
If I'm careful over the next year or so it's possible, but I think regular-ish track days are more likely. The money I'd need for the license, lid, seats, harnesses and then either a tow car/trailer or mega insurance will pay for a lot of track days.... With my recent luck I'll probably break this one soon and then be on a bloody push bike!!
I'll have to start a site called Nopower.co.uk then:cheers2:

[Stuart]

Your luck.............

Mate, I read that and just shook my head. I've made the offer before and I'll make it again; any time you want to use Betty the offer is there for you. Trackdays, sprints whatever you like.

Send me some photos of the car and I'll see what's what. I may be able to help (don't laugh, I can do simple things well enough, I just tend not to be bothered)

[Rob S]

Thats genuinely kind mate, and one day I may ask for another steer.
I'm sure you of all people understand why I'd want to have a crack at this with my own car.
I've been nuts about cars since I was 14 working in that shitty garage Dad farmed me out to every Saturday. I loved them before I was shown and taught how quickly they can be made to go. Little did I know all these years later, opportunity would present itself again, so imagine how much "playing about with cars" as the wife calls it means to me now.
I'd never forgive myself if something broke on Betty, as much as I know shit happens.
I'd be very happy to do something like the event @ cadwell this year, and then to consolidate till next year (sounds better than eat toast and save like buggery!). You must admit since my beloved XR4x4 my cars have been less than lucky.
Lifes certainly never dull with them anyway.
I'll get some photo's across, the front wing is u/s and the others will pull out/repair etc. It's a metallic which could make blending a pain in the arse, but if it's too much damage she'll have to drive it like the demolition derby candidate it's becoming.