There is something kinda weird about the phrase “six hundred horsepower VW Golf” but that is what the guys at APR are expecting from their insane Golf R.
The reason for these high expectations is simple; the engine is a hand built motorsport engine from American Volkswagen tuning giant APR with a full stage three APR turbo system all engineered to make between 500 and 650 horsepower depending on the fuel quality. These are not idle claims either as many found out at the 2010 Motor Magazine tuner challenge when an earlier APR tuned Golf set the fastest lap time around the Eastern Creek circuit!
The mods don’t stop at the engine, with the clutch packs and seals upgraded in the DSG gearbox and the software for the gearbox shift patterns was sourced from a Canadian company demonstrating this team’s ability to source the most suitable parts from anywhere in the world.
The suspension has been replaced with JIC coilovers and APR Australia front and rear sway bars and links and a load of Super Pro bushes replacing the soft rubber pieces. The brakes were not forgotten with a set of big Alcon four pots replacing the original callipers up front and the whole package rolls on slick looking Ultra Leggera OZ racing wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus RS3 tyres.
The steering duties have been assigned to Harding Performance head honcho Guy Harding, who, amongst other things, can claim a class win at Targa Tasmania. The combination of big horsepower, clever setup and a good driver should make this a formidable Clubsprint Class entry!
About Harding Performance/APR
Based in East Brisbane, Queensland, Harding Performance and APR are one of the most prominent Volkswagen group tuners in Australia. In the importing, distributing and retailing business since 1998, they are evelopment partners for APR products into parts of Asia, Europe and the UK.
Harding Performance achieved the honour of APR’s Global distributor of the year in 2009 out of 290 Worldwide dealers and received APR’s prestigious Presidents choice award in 2010.
Harding Performance/APR
2/63 Fisher Street, East Brisbane, QLD 4169
Tel: 1300 730 949
Good luck Guy, really hope you do well and have fun!! Wish I could be there.
How can a golf that’s modified this much, to 650hp plus all the other mods be allowed to compete in the club sprint class?
It still is eligible under the Clubsprint Rules. There is no horsepower limit as such in the class. All the rules for each class are listed under the Competitor’s menu. If it complies with the all the rules then we have no problems with letting it race in that class.
Good luck Guy, I wish you the success you deserve. See you there.