NorEast R32 Track Day at VIR

[FORNAZARI 2.159]

NorEast R32 Track Day at VIR

Dec 12, 2006

Eric Campbell and Jeremy Jens

Photos by Matthew Lofton and EIP Tuning

Set in the countryside of Southern Virginia, literally on the border with North Carolina, sits what most track enthusiasts feel is the finest 3.27-mile stretch of pavement on the East Coast and possibly the entire country. This pavement is Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in its “Full Course” configuration. On November 20th, this facility played host to the 1st Annual High Performance Driving Event for the Capital Area Chapter- NorEast R32. This cool and cloudy late fall day saw a full turn out of first-time track enthusiasts as well as experienced drivers eager to get in one more day at the track before winter sets in and the snows start falling. The day provided that and much more.

The brainchild of organizers Eric Campbell and Jeremy Jens, the event was an attempt to get more VW enthusiasts to bring their cars out to the track and experience the exhilaration of “track days”. With official sponsorships from EIP Tuning, Volkswagen of America, HPA Motorsport, and Induktion Motorsports the event proved to be an enthusiast’s dream for owners of Volkswagens, Audis and other European cars.

EIP Tuning was on hand displaying many of their products, as well as offering participants rides in their Stage 1 Turbo R32, equipped with their latest “Race File” software. Also on hand was their well tuned MkV GTI showcasing the latest software and other parts EIP has released. Both of these vehicles, as well as Campbell’s Series B Turbo R32, demonstrated the performance and reliability of EIP’s products under the grueling conditions to which hours of track time subjected them.

Unfortunately, last minute logistical problems prevented HPA from attending the event. They were however well represented by Jens’s FT450 “Race R32,” which highlighted the durability and performance of the HPA FT series Turbo kits on and off the track. It performed flawlessly despite 30,000+ miles and hundreds of hours of track time during 2006.

Volkswagen’s presence and sponsorship made a huge impact on the success of this inaugural event. For starters, they brought a Mk V R32 out to the event, painted white no less. To date this has been the only public showing of the vehicle in this color in North America. While no official word on the availability in this color, the fact it was shown may be a sign of things to come. As if their attendance and public display of the vehicle was not enough, VW stepped up even further and provided all attendees with free custom designed long sleeved t-shirts to celebrate the event.

Despite the fact that this event was late in the season and organized in less than 3 months, it was an overwhelming success, as shown in the attendance numbers. Official attendance and participation numbers showed 134 vehicles at the event, with over 60 VWs and Audis, including 23 MkIV R32’s and several MkV GTI’s. Also, in attendance were 22 BMWs and several Porsches rounding out the European car contingency.

With this great mix of vehicles and run groups averaging around 30 vehicles each, there was plenty of open track, great passing and high-speed driving for everyone. Big horsepower cars like the turbocharged R32s, the M3s and the Porsches easily reached 140+ mph on VIR’s long straights. Other than a few small glitches that were quickly resolved, the day ran extremely smoothly thanks to the planning of the organizers and the experience and skill of NASA Mid-Atlantic Officials (www.nasaracing.net) which were on hand to control and run the day. Special thanks to Matthew Lofton (www.matthewlofton.com) for the photo coverage of the event.

So with a successful event in the books and under their belts, the organizers are already working on the next on. Watch for details on a 2-day event (Saturday and Sunday) May 19th and 20th, 2007. For further information on CAC-NorEast R32 and event information please visit capital.noreastr32.org

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http://vortex3.rely.net/gallery/gallery2.p...R32=Track%20Day

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Fonte: http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_1893.shtml

Editado Dezembro 15, 2006 por FORNAZARI