The question I have for you is what kind of "tracking" are you talking about? I have looked through over 30 pages of your build page and see that you do what seems like AutoX mostly for track days. In my experience and I have only done a little track time on a Auto X course is you barely get out of second gear.
The track stuff I am used to is Willow Springs, Chuckawalla Raceway, Laguna Seca a few times and Streets of Willows (short track of Willow Springs) all here in California. My experience is through my Evo's of the past, and on straights at least at Big Willow would hit around 150mph, downshift, hit a turn at 100plus and mash the throttle.
Though I have never taken my GTI on a "Track" I did have the opportunity a few times on a deserted road get it up to around 120 and the GTI at least stock was very light on its feet. Actually made me feel very uncomfortable. The GTI I fear does not have the Aero from the factory to help keep it buttoned down on high speed tracks. That is a concern also I have. The Evo has all kinds of Aero, as does the STI and RS to keep the car planted. The Golf R also has allot more Aero than the GTI as well, though not as much as its competitors. People will mock the Evo and STI in particular because of the big "Wing" on the back and "Vortex Generators" and such and think they are for show. They are not. I know first hand and many car jornalists have stated this as well. Example. I drove a Evo 9 RS at Big Willow, then drove my Evo 9 MR right after. Not just myself but my friends said my car felt WAY more stable not only on the straight but the corners at high speed vs the car that basically only difference Aero wise was the Wing, Vortex Generators, Wicker Bill and the Zero lift kit that is basically Air Brake guides and a 1 inch lip on the front bumper. It made a BIG difference though.
Now, I would agree with you, an RS or anything of the like, would not really perform well on a tight course like an AutoX event. The bigger turbos take longer to spool, the Aero work never really comes into play. The GTI is better suited for this type of racing, especially with the DSG for its shorter gearing and anti lag of the turbo, yet you rarely are out of 2 or 3rd gear and you hit what MAYBE 50-60mph? Get the same cars on a "TRACK" doing 100+ and things are a TOTALLY different story here.
Am I going to do the crazy stuff I did in the past? No. Am I going to AutoX? No. Do I want to go to a "Track" Yes. Do I think the GTI is good on a track, not sure, not a high speed one just from the little I have seen and maybe if I can get the mods, and go find out it may or may not be great for it.
On paper though, even with a KO4 on an open track with the same driver doing back to back runs I bet you the RS is faster, the STI will be faster too. So the big question is, Build the GTI and hope its great on a Track for occasional use, or get a turn key car that has already been proven to do so?
Again not mocking the GTI great car, but I think we are comparing apples to oranges here. Day to day driving tough to beat a GTI and I think for AutoX duties a new MK7 GTI Sport would be king. Factory LSD, Bigger Breaks and more power right out of the box, THIS would be kick ass. That isn't what I would want to go back to though. I am looking at actual race tacks, and though I would not compete anymore, I think the GTI would be good in these conditions, just not great.
I could be wrong. Just my gut feeling. Everyone has their own experiences and we all have our goals in mind. I look at my car in the garage right now and say this...."I Wonder"........
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