- 12,117
- Liverpool
- CARBOYXJR
The GTC spec MkIV Golf was a highly controversial entry into the 2003 BRDC British GT Championship, as many purists believed that a hatchback had no place on a grid of GT cars. Regardless, the team entered their first race at Round 3 which took place at Knockhill, and achieved a very respectable 11th place overall finish, and a 3rd in class. The surprising pace meant that it became a fan favourite for many, and although the car was plagued by a recurring gearbox issue, GulfAir managed to soldier on for several more strong results throughout the season.
The car's pace was all the more surprising when the power figures were leaked - the 1.8 I4 produced around 280bhp, around 200bhp down on what other GTC cars were able to produce. The car is also remembered for its appearance at the 2003 Spa 1000km, where the British GT and FIA SC grids were merged - the sight of a Volkswagen Golf GTI running against top class LMP cars is something that will likely never happen again. By the end of the season, the car had a new sequential 6-speed gearbox, which gave the car a trouble-free final race at Brands Hatch to take 4th place in class.
However, the real controversy came in the off-season - the SRO decided to ban all FWD cars from entering the championship, ruling out another season for the car. No reason was given for the decision, but it ultimately angered many of the fans it had gained throughout the season. Some believe it was simply a move to uphold the image of the series, as a FWD car putting 996 Cup cars and F360 GTCs to shame certainly put a question mark over a few entries. Although the purists believed the car had no place on the grid, the car was very much within the rules - and many still make their frustration known about the car's controversial ban.
This car shows that FWD, contrary to popular belief, is a very capable racing platform - and it carries a true David and Goliath story with it.
The car's pace was all the more surprising when the power figures were leaked - the 1.8 I4 produced around 280bhp, around 200bhp down on what other GTC cars were able to produce. The car is also remembered for its appearance at the 2003 Spa 1000km, where the British GT and FIA SC grids were merged - the sight of a Volkswagen Golf GTI running against top class LMP cars is something that will likely never happen again. By the end of the season, the car had a new sequential 6-speed gearbox, which gave the car a trouble-free final race at Brands Hatch to take 4th place in class.
However, the real controversy came in the off-season - the SRO decided to ban all FWD cars from entering the championship, ruling out another season for the car. No reason was given for the decision, but it ultimately angered many of the fans it had gained throughout the season. Some believe it was simply a move to uphold the image of the series, as a FWD car putting 996 Cup cars and F360 GTCs to shame certainly put a question mark over a few entries. Although the purists believed the car had no place on the grid, the car was very much within the rules - and many still make their frustration known about the car's controversial ban.
This car shows that FWD, contrary to popular belief, is a very capable racing platform - and it carries a true David and Goliath story with it.