Volkswagen has wasted no time making the
Mk8 Golf race ready: this is the GTI GTC that will compete in Africa’s Global
Touring Car championship. Since the Jetta is no longer built in right-hand drive, it has
opted to replace it with the new Golf 8 GTI. Many key technical specifications
about the GTI GTC remain under wraps but it certainly looks like quite the
animal.
Underpinning the car is a chrome-moly
tubular chassis but as it stands, no powertrain details are known. All vehicles
competing in the GTC championship feature a common chassis, running gear, a
single ECU to control performance, as well as common tires, suspension, and
other components. As a result, it is really a battle between drivers and not
between cars.
Volkswagen Motorsport will run two Golf 8
GTIs in the premiere GTC1 class of the racing series. The vehicles will be
driven by 2019 GTC1 champion Keagan Masters and 2016 GTC2 champion Daniel Rowe.
The start of the 2020 GTC championship was delayed due to the coronavirus
pandemic but it is hoped that the season will kick off in August with the first
round likely taking place at Zwartkops Raceway in Johannesburg.
