a second in class one - the golf gti’s first time on the podium

The Golf had been garaged in the Al Quoz industrial estate since the last race meeting in December 2009 and there were no complaints with its new Brembo front brakes back then. In fact, they transformed the car and gave us the ability to brake much later. So for the next race weekend, it came as a surprise that vibrations under heavy braking were so violent as to make me wonder whether the front end would completely detach from the rest of the car. The International Circuit of the Dubai Autodrome has three heavy braking zones so you can imagine that I found this quite disconcerting. As we compete on a very tight budget, when we upgrade parts we don’t buy spares until they are needed. This month, we’ve spent $ 4750 for a performance chip ($ 1050), CV joint ($ 500) and front brake kit ($ 3200).

The front rotors were probably cooked and warped at the first meeting in December, and with no replacements on hand, I had to make the most of it and ‘drive around the problem’. In the last ten minutes of practice, we also lost all power and the car would not rev beyond 5000 rpm in any gear. After just a few minutes in the pit, and with four new coil packs installed by DXB Racing (a common replacement item on Golfs and SEATs, which run identical engine components) we had reached the end of the session and could not test any further.

Race day is always tinged with high excitement and the first task is for the driver and team to scrutineer the car. While another competitor was later disqualified for irregularities, we made it through with some minor objections and items to be rectified in the future. We now had only a short wait until qualifying would begin. Just enough time to fit two new Dunlops ($ 700) to see if this would restore front end balance under braking.

With no quick fix for the brakes, qualifying eleventh in 2min dead was commendable and my highest ever place on the grid. Race One and a false start by a couple of the SEAT Supa Copa drivers on the front row of the grid led to a re-start for all. I felt I made an excellent start from the inside but heading into turn one, the rear end tried to swap ends on me. However, I was able to catch it mid-corner and keep it all going in the right direction, which was a very satisfying feeling. Battling all race with a Honda Civic, passing and re-passing each other on the varying parts of the circuit where each of our cars excelled, I had a great, fun race which was full of excitement and was the first time that I had to defended or attack on almost every turn. I saw several drive-through penalty boards for other cars during the race and after coming past the chequered flag mid-field (to ninth) and behind several Class 2 Renaults, it was a surprise to be asked to come to the Podium, having finished in 2nd place in Class 1; the Golf GTi’s first time on the podium!

For Race Two, we just had to keep it all together, as the DXB Racing guys noted that a front CV joint boot had split (probably on the last lap of Race 1) and grease was leaking out and may cause me some trouble during the race. I made a decent start but on the first lap at Turn 11, I tried to make a move but got boxed out and needed to take an extraordinarily tight line to get through a notoriously slippery part of the circuit. Sliding sideways, with 10 cars in front and almost 20 behind, I caused several of my competitors to take evasive action. My position was badly compromised and I lost several places, probably dropping to around 15th. I regained my composure, and just focused on keeping the car going. Through a combination of attrition and several passes I managed to recover from my difficult start. Not invited to the podium this time, I finished 4th in Class 1 but was later awarded 3rd due to the disqualification of one of the lead cars.

An excellent result in both races, it was time to make some space in the trophy cabinet.