Meet VDUB fest’s ‘A Team’

With car enthusiasts American Jamie Orr, pictured, and South African Vic Pardal leaving on a 5 000km journey across South Africa, destination VDUB Camp Fest in Bela Bela from 2 to 4 February, we visited Delarey Racing Developments (DRD) on the West Rand to check on the progress the former has made on his ride, Golf 1.8i.

The duo plans to start the journey on Monday. But before that, they have a meet-and-greet to attend tomorrow.

Pardal has been Orr’s righthand man in SA, and has been overseeing the work on the Golf, which went from a quick spruce up, to a full-blown engine swap – all improvements will have to be done in just seven days.

Thanks to a sponsor, Rojan Engines, the Golf has been restored with a newer 1.8i 20-valve engine, which should provide adequate power for the trip.

DRD had been hard at work to get the new motor and Dicktator management system in so the car can go for tuning.

There are other modifications, such as a modified braking system and upgraded suspension.

Wikus Dippenar, owner of DRD, said: “We don’t usually build cars for people.”

The company develops replacement parts, some for stock cars but most with racing in mind.

Orr’s build is a special project DRD wanted to be a part of, so they used their brake upgrade kit for Golf 1, and replaced the bushes with stronger polyurethane bushes they produce in house.

The team is on schedule, and awaiting Orr’s arrival from the US with certain special parts, like coilovers for the suspension, a custom intake manifold and a custom exhaust.

Once the engine is tuned, Detail Ease will freshen up the paint.