History

GTi Engineering was founded in 1978 by Richard Lloyd. Richard was at that time racing a Golf GTI as well as running Volkswagen GB Ltd's highly successful racing programme which resulted in a hat-trick of British Saloon Car Championship class wins of 1977, 1978 and 1979. These much publicised competition victories contributed very significantly to the successful launch of the Golf GTI in Britain.

Racebred Conversions

From it's inception, GTi Engineering's primary role was the research, development, production and fitting of road-going sports conversions for Volkswagen and Audi cars. These conversions were of course complemented by an impressive range of racebred performance parts and accessories including suspension, braking, transmission, steering, interior and styling conversions, all of which had evolved over the years and, like the engine conversions, continued to be extended and updated. During the late 80's a team of twenty proficient staff handled the day-to-day business at the company's headquarters at the Silverstone racing circuit.

Richard Lloyd Racing Ltd

Having established GTi Engineering as a commercial success. Richard then launched a separate company to handle his motor racing activities. Richard Lloyd racing was the most successful private Porsche team regularly competing in the World Sports Prototype Championship.

The VAG connection

Following its UK launch at the end of the seventies, the Golf GTI was quickly singled out as the cult car - a status it still enjoys today. As a result it has attracted a great deal of special attention from the public and media alike. Keen to foster this special image VAG recognised that, as a 'high profile' company specialising in the marque, with an enviable record in track events and led by an extremely able engineering team, GTi Engineering could do much to maintain and promote interest in this unique car. So in 1982, GTi Engineering were appointed Official Audi Volkswagen Conversion Specialists. Being only twelve miles from the Milton Keynes VAG headquarters they were able to benefit from a mutual exchange of technical information which enabled them to develop modifications very soon after a new model release or sometimes before it's official UK launch.

 

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