Dubwars 2006 - Event Coverage

The stagnant heat of Fontana, CA stirred with the sound of VWs and Audis on full boil lapping California Speedway as Dubwars 2006 descended on the racetrack for the weekend event. Hailed as one of the Left Coast's premiere VW/Audi events, Dubwars served up competition both on and off the track, offering something for every Dubhead. For the g-force fanatics there were road racing events and a track exhibition. And for all others, there was the ever-popular car show, Triple Crown Audio event and even a model search for the ladies.

Unique in the sense that Dubwars combines both the show scene and racing, creator George Turner Jr prides himself on staying true to his roots. "Dubwars started as an event for everybody who was talking trash about each others' cars to either put up or shut up, and the fact we still incorporate both the racing and the show makes us different," George said.

Despite the unwavering temperatures, tuners from all over made the trek to display their latest equipment.

As we've come to expect, the Streetwerkes crew arrived with its tarmac-punishing group of boosted R32s. Now offered in four stages, the GT kits start at a mild 380hp and climb to a retina-flattening 620hp. The SW crew also debuted its Mk4 Jetta with a R32 turbo conversion.

The Euro Sport crew displayed its array of tried and true performance parts. And to prove their products perform, both Raffi Kazanjian's marvelous-sounding carbed 1.8 20v Rabbit and his brother Vik's boosted Mk3 GTI VR6 took turns hot-lapping the course.

Dynamic Racing Solutions also cut some apexes with its ITB-equipped high-spinning, solid-lifter '88 GTI 16v. Its 200whp Mk2 could be heard throughout the pits as it ripped off 8900rpm shifts.

Newcomer Late Night Tuning also asserted itself well with its new 2.0T intake and power packages that showed promising gains even on crappy California fuel.

Among the many companies present, Dunlop came in full force, as did tuners like WRD, Evoms, 034 Motorsport, VF Engineering and KW Suspension. HPA Motorsports even sponsored SoCal R32's track exhibition allowing the club to run two sessions on track.

The rest of the event was equally fulfilling as the show attracted nearly 200 cars. Walking the rows, we saw everything from widebodies and Lambo doors to front-end swaps and big turbos. And amid the amazing rides, a handful caught our eye such as Chuck Perez's self-built metallic black '98 Jetta VR6. Using a "Dub/Mex style" as Perez coined it, the car featured a Golf front-end conversion, R32 mono wiper, pulled fenders, full Polk/Momo system, suede headliner and 16x9" Schmidt Modern Lines. More than just show, the enlarged 2.9 liter VR6 was fitted with a Z-Engineering stage 2 blower along with some DSR 256FI cams, a polished Schrick VGI, Jetex exhaust and Samco hoses.

DubTechnik's '01 GTI VR6 sported a Jetta front end, wider flares, Kerscher rear bumper, cup mirrors and custom hood. More than just a wide stance, the car was blessed with Recaro seats, rollcage, custom dual exhaust and staggered 19" BBR Braids with 11s in the rear.

Continuing the trend of show-stoppers, Sal Reynosa's clean '02 Audi TT dropped on staggered 19" Work Meister F1s flaunted a Caractere grille, front bumper and skirts, Mattig rear bumper and Uberhus double wings. Accompanying the fine exterior, his TT had an ICE heart of gold orchestrated by an Alpine head unit. Focal components hit the high notes and a pair of 12" carbon Alpine Type-S subs powered by Hifonics amplifiers added the beat.

Like discovering an unfound oil well, William Stedman's immaculate '82 Audi quattro was a diamond in the rough. As if finding a clean right-hand drive quattro wasn't special enough, Stedman's coupe was force-fed to the tune of 35psi by a massive GT3071 turbo. Beneath the hood, the blood-red bay played home to the alcohol-injected low compression mill eager for high-boost pulls.

Despite a strong showing of both tuners and cars, George hopes to strengthen next year's event by adding drag racing.

"I really wasn't too happy with the model search," George said. "It was more like a strip show."

Topless or not, we look forward to next year's events.