Wookies in the Woods was a blast. That’s probably the easiest way to describe it. While this post content will be mostly photos (because I’m insanely busy lately and don’t have time to write 2-3K words that this event deserves), everyone in the VW community should try to make it out to this event. A few notes:
- April in North Carolina is warm, sunny, green and just beautiful. It was a nice break from the cold New Hampshire and considering we have snow on the calendar this week, being in North Carolina last week was a total joy
- Being around Golf R / R32 people for 4 days was insane. I see another Golf R maybe every 3-4 weeks and they never wave. I see an R32 once every 3 months at most and they wave, being around 200 Golf R/R32 cars was amazing.
- These guys and girls love their cars. Remarkable modifications, every car was aligned, had working turn signals, beautiful wheels and custom exhaust and most of the R32s were super-charged. It was a really amazing thing to see.
- Wookies are R32s because their exhaust note sounds like a Wookie. Look it up.
- Golf R owners aren’t Wookies but we are allowed to come and play which is great but MK4,MK5 R32 cars dominate the event in numbers. MK7 being so new, there weren’t many of us in attendance. Maybe 10-12 total.
- Tail of the Dragon, I still am pretty bad at it but I did the dragon I think 6 times last weekend and really had a lot of fun and my time got better each time.
- In NC/TN, BBQ and Sweet Tea are everywhere. This can not be underestimated. Usually meals feed two people. I spent $15 on BBQ and got enough meat for 4-5 days of lunch sandwiches. There’s no wonder you guys are so fat in the South. I can say that because I’m from the south.
- There are some cars at Wookies that were doing 50-70 MPH around corners. These were cars that have had thousands of dollars of work done to basically plant themselves in a way that they look like they’re just floating around a corner perfectly. Driver Skill + Years of medications had some of these cars look effortless on the Dragon
- Wookies in the Woods is free to attend and for that, I have to give a huge thanks to the organizers and sponsors.
- It was $600 for 3 nights in a full cabin house and I split it with 2 other guys so not a bad fee
- Driving to and from Fontana Dam NC was a 1,100 miles each way from my house. It was insanely exhausting. I drove 17 hours in one day last Sunday. I’m tired just thinking about it.
- I also put 2800 miles on my Golf R which makes me a bit sad. I need to keep the miles low on this vehicle.
- As for how my car performed. I have VW Racing (Racingline) lowering springs, Michelin Pilot Super Sports on 18×8.5” HRE Flow Form wheels and the car did okay. I could take corners at 50MPH no problem with a slight tire squeal at 55 but w/o a full suspension overhaul (2-3K USD) and a lot of track-time, my time on the dragon won’t be much higher than it was on this trip.
- Also on a personal car note, My car is Stage II+ United Motorsport which means instead of 18.5 PSI boost on the stock ECU mapping, I’m pushing 29 PSI out of the stock Turbo and I was concerned because this event is between 2-6K feet above sea level. This means my turbo has to work much harder to compress the thinner air. I am happy that my car didn’t crap the bed on this trip and I was able to drive it home. That was my main concern but I didn’t let that keep me from pushing it but the vehicle was definitely struggling.
- So, without further ado, here are some photos from Wookies in the Woods:
This is our cabin w/ my roommates’ as well as my car pictured:
Washing their cars:
Walter’s APR Stage III Engine Bay:
My TomTom Bandit:
Safety Meeting & Opening introductions:
Day Out to Knoxville via the Dragon:
Next Day Riding:
Evening Fire Pit time:
Early Morning Tail of the Dragon Run:
Wookies Sound Off / Group Photo Op:
I found some similar cars (TTRS – S3 and Golf R) that are all based on the same design. The S3 and Golf R are identical in every way but the body.
Finally, I purchased a few professional photos taken of me driving Tail of the Dragon:
Such a remarkable trip. I can’t wait to go back:
