German drag racer Hannes Winkler claimed first place at last weekend's competition, driving with our Kotouc Gearboxes SEAMLESS transmission. His victory highlights both his skill and the performance advantages of our technology. In this interview, he reflects on how he started, tells us what modifications he made to his car and how satisfied he is with our SEAMLESS Kotouc Gearbox, which you can find here : https://cze.kotoucgearboxes.com/kategorie/bez-prodlevy-26
CUSTOMER INTERVIEW - Hannes Winkler
Are you working alone or with a team?
We are a team without a name, 2 or 3 friends who support and help me. Without them, none of this would be possible...
Can you tell us about your vehicle and the type of racing it's built for?
The car is a Volkswagen Golf Mk2, converted to a 4-motion with a 3-liter R32 turbo engine. The car has 1350 hp, 1400 Nm. The car was converted exclusively for 1/4-mile racing. The 1/4 mile is about driving the 402 meters as fast as possible.
What inspired you to start racing?
I was ultimately inspired by my childhood interest in fast cars, motorsports, and high horsepower, whether in cars or tractor pulling...which is also a great passion. At first, we only drove on the street, then at some point we went to a 1/4-mile event. That captivated me and hasn't let me go.
How often do you race, where do you usually compete, and what types of events do you enter?
As often as possible, as family, work, and the car allow. I don't travel internationally very much; I've already been to Malmö, Sweden, and I'd like to go to Santa Pod, England. But I mainly drive in Germany.
What modifications or upgrades have you made to your car, and how does our gearbox complement them?
Pretty much everything on the car has been rebuilt, from the engine and drivetrain to the doors, roof, underbody, etc. Lots of carbon to save weight, Macrolon discs, titanium screws... The seamless transmission was ultimately an attempt to finally have a stable transmission that works reliably. So far, I'm very satisfied. The incredibly fast shift times contribute significantly to the fast times. They will definitely get even faster; at the moment, I'm looking for more grip.
Which features of our gearbox have had the biggest positive impact on your racing?
Definitely the fast shift times, especially with the hydraulic shift system from Kotouc, which I recently installed.
How does our gearbox compare to other gearboxes you’ve used before?
In my opinion, only the Liberty transmissions are comparable. Even DSG isn't as fast when shifting. In my case, a Quaife transmission was previously installed. However, this couldn't withstand the stress and shifts much slower.
How did you first discover Kotouc Gearboxes?
I came across Kotouc through an acquaintance. He asked me if I wanted to try something new. I'm very happy I went down this route.
What has been your biggest achievement since you started using our products?
So far, it's been 8.6 seconds at 277 km/h. Top speed was 287 km/h at 8.9 seconds.
What are your future plans for your vehicle, and how do you see our gearbox playing a role?
I'd like to do a 7-second shift. That's a goal I've set for myself, and I think it's possible with the transmission.
What goals do you have moving forward in your racing career?
I would advise you to spend the money and buy the right transmission, whether seamless or with shift cut... I can only recommend it.