Which Car Class??

[mk5-fast-gti-driver]

I plan on doing Time Trial Racing Events next year with my 2007 VW GTI, which is powered by a 2.0 Turbocharged Engine.

However, my GTI is not stock.

Here are the following mods:

APR ECU Reflash
APR S3/Edition 30 Engine Conversion Kit (K04 Turbo Kit)
APR RSC Turbo-Back Exhaust
APR/Carbonio Cold Air Intake

Here are the mods I plan on getting before I start racing:

Coilover Kit
Race Roll Bar
Sparco or Recaro Competition Seats and 5-Point Harnesses
APR Stage 1 or 2 Big Brake Kit

With those engine mods above, I'm making around 300 wheel horsepower on 93 Octane.....

So, what class would my GTI be best suited for?? I put down ST3 when I registered.

Thanks!

[cuda6666]

SP-B

[mk5-fast-gti-driver]

alright, thanks for replying!

[cuda6666]

To get a better feel for how COM classifies cars, click the "Rules" link on the COMSCC home page. Then open up the 2009 rule book and read the section on car classification.

[cuda6666]

Oh....and welcome to COM! You'll find that lots of members will be more than willing to answer your questions about the club.

[horizenjob]

APR Stage 1 or 2 Big Brake Kit

Good brakes are one of the most important things to have to make track driving enjoyable. The old track at Loudon was the hardest in the country on brakes and I think the new one still gives them a big workout.... Skimping here will make all your other efforts less worthwhile.

[breakaway500]

Don't forget sticky tires,at least an R compound DOT if you are going to run SPB and be competitive. Those GTI's make a good track car from what I have seen..

[mk5-fast-gti-driver]

To get a better feel for how COM classifies cars, click the "Rules" link on the COMSCC home page. Then open up the 2009 rule book and read the section on car classification.

Actually, I have already read the 2009 Rule Book multiple times. I was just a little confused as to what class I should be in. I knew it would be either Street Touring or Street Prepared.

----

And, I will be sure to get the APR/Brembo Stage 1 or 2 Big Brake Kit for my 07 GTI before I start doing Events!!

I'll also make sure that I have some Suspension Mods done, too.

[brucesallen]

Like Mark (Breakaway) says, tires will reduce your lap times more than all the other mods you have listed put together. But it won't make much difference on your first weekend on track. Driver skill comes with time and it is worth more that all those mods AND tires. So just concentrate on reliability and safety for the first event. Good five point belts will help you learn instead of using your elbows to keep yourself from crashing into the door.

[mk5-fast-gti-driver]

Don't forget sticky tires,at least an R compound DOT if you are going to run SPB and be competitive. Those GTI's make a good track car from what I have seen..

I'm still learning more about Tires so where in the Tire "tag" would I find out if the tire I would be buying has at least an R compound??

For example: 225/45ZR17 - How would I tell if this tire has at least an R compound?? Would it be the "R" after the "Z"?? I thought that "R" stood for something else. Please help clear this up for me!

Is there any certian tire brand that I should go with??

And YES, I am going to make sure that my GTI is Safe and Reliable!!

[breakaway500]

The tire wear number is what you need to look at. It is usually a number between 25 and 700. 25 is like flypaper sticky,and 700 are hockey pucks.
Most stree tires are in the 300 plus range. A good R compound tire for street/track use will range between 100 and 150. A race DOT compound will be in the 30-60 range. A street/track tire will be OK until you get serious,and then nothing will do but R compound slicks.The best setup is to have an extra set of wheels/tires for track use,and your street tires,which you could use in the rain on track. For street/track use,I like the Toyo 888,the Toyo Ra1 Proxes,the Falken Azenis Rt 615 and the Nitto 555. The Nitto NT-01 is a good R compound race tire as is the Kumho V710, the Hoosier R6 and the BFG-R1. You will find different tires on many race cars because some like the feel of one over another. I like the V710 on my FWD Focus,but prefer the BFG-R1 on my Miata. The only tire for my Atom is the R25B by Hoosier,although I do like the 35A as well.These are race only track tires and legal for prepared classes.
You may have to try a few to find your favorite,but all the R compound DOT race tires will be significantly better than any street tire.
If you can afford a set of track only tires and wheels, go for the DOT R compound race tires.
You will be told it is best to learn on a lesser traction tire,as you will experience the limits of your car at slower speeds.Good thing for safety.
I figured if I am on track,I want the most traction I can get, and found it easier to drive with good rubber than not so good.... Your results may vary.
However,once you feel the grip of a race tire..there is no going back.

[cuda6666]

Just a word of clarification before you start buying tires. Make sure you understand the difference between DOT legal track tires (like the ones specifically named above) and "slicks." Slicks are not DOT legal and are not allowed in the SP classes.

[horizenjob]

That "R" you mention means radial. It will take more then one event just to learn which way the track goes. I would say you don't need the best tires before you even learn to "see" the track. You could wear out a set before you get close to learning how to use them.

[eastcoastbumps]

BTW, don't show up to your first event on new street tires. You'll most likely chunk them. A used set with 2-5/32 of tread is best.

[brucesallen]

BTW, don't show up to your first event on new street tires. You'll most likely chunk them. A used set with 2-5/32 of tread is best.

So true. Tread is your enemy. Except in the rain.