Tanner Faust Driving a Golf R Wins Inaugural North American F.A.T. Ice Race

April 5th, 2024 by

F.A.T. Ice Race In Aspen Golf Racing

The Inaugural North American F.A.T. Ice Race was held in Aspen in our neighboring state. Bud Brown Volkswagen congratulates versatile racer and Volkswagen brand ambassador Tanner Foust for having the fastest overall lap driving a stock 2024 Golf R32 AWD. Tanner’s racing experience is vast and varied, including open-wheel, sports car, rallycross, off-road, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Twin Engine 1987 VW Golf

The 3-day event mirrored an annual event in Austria and took place from Feb. 8th through the 10th. The 1,809-foot-long track was built over several months on an Aspen tree farm and features an Austrian-style restaurant in homage to its sister event. Over 50 vehicles took to the track, ranging from a Le Mans-winning Porsche GT1-98 to a refurbished 1970 Mini Cooper police car. 

F.A.T. International is an automotive lifestyle brand. It was inspired by the legendary Porsche 962, which won the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans under the F.A.T. banner. The brand seeks to revive the spirit of the 80s and 90s automotive scene.

VW Golf GTI Concept

“It was a dream come true to bring the legacy of ice racing to North America alongside enthusiasts, collectors, and fans to make automotive history,” said F.A.T. International Founder Ferdi Porsche. “We couldn’t imagine a better backdrop to this debut than Aspen and we feel readier than ever to build the brand F.A.T. International worldwide.”

The race winners were:

  • Fastest Overall Lap: Tanner Faust / 2024 VW Golf R32 4WD – 37.405 sec. 
  • Best Two-Wheel Drive Lap: Spencer Steele / 2005 Colorado Hill Climb Special – 40.177 
  • Best Historic Vehicle: Mathew Ivanhoe / 1970 Mini Cooper S – 47.645 seconds

The event was sponsored by Mobil 1 to celebrate the synthetic oil’s 50th anniversary. Foust’s win in a Golf R32 brought to mind another 50th anniversary. The Volkswagen Golf debuted in 1974 and became the spearhead for a complete revolution of VW products, creating a template for other automakers that continues to this day.

ICE Race Vehicle Parade VW Golf

Foust’s Golf R was factory stock; its 2.0-liter TSI® turbocharged, direct-injection inline-4 produces 315 horsepower (using premium fuel) at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 295 lb-ft @2,000 rpm when mated to the DSG transmission (280 lb-ft @1,900 rpm with the 6-speed manual). Also at the event was a unique twin-engine 1987 Volkswagen Golf racer that competed in Colorado’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Pikes Peak competition is a 12.4-mile race toward the peak with 156 turns and a finish line at just over 14,000 feet. The third Golf of note was a 2025 model on display, showing its revised front-end styling, new LED tail lights, new wheel design, and a two-tone exterior featuring a black roof. 

Bud Brown Volkswagen extends its appreciation to Tanner Foust for showing what the Golf R can do. We also want to remind you that the Golf R, along with the legendary Golf GTI (which will have its own 50th anniversary in 2026), the practical and sporty Jetta GLI, and all of the brand’s crossovers are all models for the ages and can be found in Bud Brown’s inventory.