Introducing Team GTI

Kirk Knestis came back to club racing in 2004, with Project GTI - a 1996 VW Golf built to SCCA Showroom Stock rules, that require the car to remain essentially as it was delivered from the manufacturer. With just a few exceptions, the only allowable modifications were those required to enhance driver safety - a rollcage, racing seat, 6-point driver harness, window net, and fire extinguisher. The first phase of construction prepared the car to this level, providing a safe and reliable racer.

The second phase of construction saw Project GTI upgraded to Improved Touring rules for the 2005 season, which allow additional stripping and modification of the car. This phase ended when driver Kirk Knestis rolled Project GTI at the Rally Tennessee, late in the summer of 2005.

Now in its third phase - code-named Version 3.2 - a new car has been developed and campaigned through the 2006-2011 seasons. This Golf, which started its racing life as the derelict pictured to the right, has been optimized for endurance races of 12 or more hours in length.

Roll over the image to see the transformation.