When he was offered the chance to join Team Bilstein at the fabled Destination Nurburgring event in July, how could Cowland say no? Time to see what the old Golf could really do on the world's toughest circuit.
Words: Paul Cowland Pics: FrozenSpeed
The Nurburgring is deserved of its over the years, including the Subaru BRZ, a
iconic status. It is a venue that race-prepped Scirocco and a hot 1 Series
inspires excitement, fear and BMW, I was keen to see how my tired,
respect in equal measure, 200,000 mile race car would fare around its
creating more bar-room tales and many twists and turns. YouTube videos of heroic wheelmanship (and Having experienced the superb hospitality
dismal failure) than probably any other of the Destination Nurburgring events a few
stretch of Tarmac on the planet. years ago, this is now the only way I will
I have been lucky enough to go a few make this pilgrimage, now. Running as a
times now, and although I don't pretend that I private, closed event. With an open pitlane
fully know my way round the place yet, I am session by the ever-affable Darren Langveld,
starting to remember where a few of the this is true petrolhead nirvana for those that
corners go - and which gear to be in and want to lap the 'Ring in the company of like-
when. Now, that may not sound like much, minded individuals. No coaches, bikes or
but when you realise the many gradients, numpties, as are so often found on a
cambers, undulations and curbs that you Touristenfahrt day. Just a paddock full of
need to negotiate, plus the zero margin for cool cars, great people, and a collective
error that most of the track offers - with desire to get out there and just enjoy
literally no run-off of any kind to speak of - yourself in safety.
you begin to understand why it becomes I trailered the Golf out there with my trusty
such an addictive place to bond with your Isuzu, not only to allow me the luxury of
pride and joy. breaking the car and still getting home, but
Basically; if you can pedal fast here - you also to save my ears on a fairly long round
can drive your car fast anywhere. And, trip! Darren had booked us all a superb
having driven an eclectic bunch of cars here house just a mile from the circuit, so with the
sun shining fiercely and a tank full of cheap German Super Unleaded, I was more than ready for the track.
Team Bilstein was there in force, so it was a great chance to talk to Joerg Hoffman from its experienced technical team and get a few setup and driving tips for the circuit. It also had its MDS-equipped Splitscreen/Porsche hybrid Race Taxi, created by the insanely talented Swiss tech, Fred Bernhard and his team. Needless to say, these guys were lapping somewhat quicker than I was, offering passenger rides at the same time for the worthy cause of Mission Motorsport -helping injured servicemen back to rehabilitation through the medium of racing!
As for me, after a few familiarisation laps, I was up to speed out there (well, as much of a speed as a tired 25-year-old eight-valve engine can muster). Although racing is strictly banned on this event, Darren is happy for trusted mates to lap in close proximity, as long as common sense prevails. With that in mind, I asked my good friend and respected tuner, Iain Litchfield, to come out for a run in his newly sorted BMW 235i to see whether a careworn Wolfsburg veteran could hold station with the latest Bavarian Wunderkind.
It looked a good fight on paper; Iain has been here dozens of times and is a great pedaller, and the BMW was waymore powerful, but much heavier than the Golf. I had lightness and handling on my side, thanks to a full Bilstein B16 package beneath me, meaning it was anyone's guess as to how it would all turn out. It proved to be an epic scrap in the end. The Golf trounced the BMW in the tighter turns, with the 2 Series punching back hard on the long straights. The end result? Over a full lap, he beat me by just two seconds, despite a 200bhp advantage! It just goes to show that a Mk2 is still a great weapon of choice on this superb circuit!
Thanks to the help and hospitality and Bilstein and the DN team, I had a simply wonderful time.
Words: Paul Cowland Pics: FrozenSpeed
The Nurburgring is deserved of its over the years, including the Subaru BRZ, a
iconic status. It is a venue that race-prepped Scirocco and a hot 1 Series
inspires excitement, fear and BMW, I was keen to see how my tired,
respect in equal measure, 200,000 mile race car would fare around its
creating more bar-room tales and many twists and turns. YouTube videos of heroic wheelmanship (and Having experienced the superb hospitality
dismal failure) than probably any other of the Destination Nurburgring events a few
stretch of Tarmac on the planet. years ago, this is now the only way I will
I have been lucky enough to go a few make this pilgrimage, now. Running as a
times now, and although I don't pretend that I private, closed event. With an open pitlane
fully know my way round the place yet, I am session by the ever-affable Darren Langveld,
starting to remember where a few of the this is true petrolhead nirvana for those that
corners go - and which gear to be in and want to lap the 'Ring in the company of like-
when. Now, that may not sound like much, minded individuals. No coaches, bikes or
but when you realise the many gradients, numpties, as are so often found on a
cambers, undulations and curbs that you Touristenfahrt day. Just a paddock full of
need to negotiate, plus the zero margin for cool cars, great people, and a collective
error that most of the track offers - with desire to get out there and just enjoy
literally no run-off of any kind to speak of - yourself in safety.
you begin to understand why it becomes I trailered the Golf out there with my trusty
such an addictive place to bond with your Isuzu, not only to allow me the luxury of
pride and joy. breaking the car and still getting home, but
Basically; if you can pedal fast here - you also to save my ears on a fairly long round
can drive your car fast anywhere. And, trip! Darren had booked us all a superb
having driven an eclectic bunch of cars here house just a mile from the circuit, so with the
sun shining fiercely and a tank full of cheap German Super Unleaded, I was more than ready for the track.
Team Bilstein was there in force, so it was a great chance to talk to Joerg Hoffman from its experienced technical team and get a few setup and driving tips for the circuit. It also had its MDS-equipped Splitscreen/Porsche hybrid Race Taxi, created by the insanely talented Swiss tech, Fred Bernhard and his team. Needless to say, these guys were lapping somewhat quicker than I was, offering passenger rides at the same time for the worthy cause of Mission Motorsport -helping injured servicemen back to rehabilitation through the medium of racing!
As for me, after a few familiarisation laps, I was up to speed out there (well, as much of a speed as a tired 25-year-old eight-valve engine can muster). Although racing is strictly banned on this event, Darren is happy for trusted mates to lap in close proximity, as long as common sense prevails. With that in mind, I asked my good friend and respected tuner, Iain Litchfield, to come out for a run in his newly sorted BMW 235i to see whether a careworn Wolfsburg veteran could hold station with the latest Bavarian Wunderkind.
It looked a good fight on paper; Iain has been here dozens of times and is a great pedaller, and the BMW was waymore powerful, but much heavier than the Golf. I had lightness and handling on my side, thanks to a full Bilstein B16 package beneath me, meaning it was anyone's guess as to how it would all turn out. It proved to be an epic scrap in the end. The Golf trounced the BMW in the tighter turns, with the 2 Series punching back hard on the long straights. The end result? Over a full lap, he beat me by just two seconds, despite a 200bhp advantage! It just goes to show that a Mk2 is still a great weapon of choice on this superb circuit!
Thanks to the help and hospitality and Bilstein and the DN team, I had a simply wonderful time.
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