A Tribute to Drew's GTi
We take a moment to pay tribute to a beautifully done project and a tragic accident
Posted:  Nov 17, 2007
Type:  Feature Car, Volkswagen, GTI
Rating:  100%      0    0
Comments:  1
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Let’s get a few things straight before this article continues on. Our beloved friend Drew McLaughlin was seriously injured in his car 3 weeks ago in a horrible crash that left basically most of his car in complete ruins. Luckily, Drew had installed a roll cage a few months prior and had escaped with his life, but not without the cost of severe injury. So while this article should focus on the car and all the super aftermarket and custom goodies it has, we’re going to take a closer look at who Drew is, and how you can help him.

Unlike most car enthusiasts who have a shop work on their car, Drew spent every waking minute in his body shop (thanks to Roosevelt Body) working morning and night and sometimes in between. There was never a moment when he wasn’t trying to do something new and innovative to his car to make it stand out over any VW out there. His dedication to life didn’t end with his car, he also spent as much time with his friends and family as he could and it shows through in his character.

The night of his accident is surrounded by rumors and while the truth may never be known on what exactly happened, you should ask yourself, does it matter? Drew is currently at a hospital here in Seattle where he is recovering after being taken off life support. His road to recovery is looking very well, but it is not without complications and a long journey. While we live in a glorious country, his insurance will only last so long, so we are asking you to donate what you can to his recovery and to help his spirits in getting back in the car when he’s ready.
We wish Drew and his family all the best over the holidays and wish him a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with you.
These images can also be found in the July 2006 Issue of Performance VW magazine. http://www.performancevwmag.com

Paypal Info:
martinchelsey@hotmail.com
(Regulated by his family)
SPECS
Engine:
1.8T four-cylinder 20v w/ Revo Software, Greddy Profec B Spec II EBC, Garrett GT28RS Turbo, ATP Exhaust Manifold, ATP Downpipe with V-Band clamp, Stainless, oil and coolant lines, 3” GHL cat-back exhaust, 10mm Manifold to turbo studs, 415cc Genesis Injectors, ECS Spacers, Walbro 255lph in-line fuel pump, B&M fuel pressure gauge, Custom polished stainless intake/inlet, Custom polished stainless intercooler piping, ATP silicone, Machined map flange, Custom Hybrid , intercooler, Several hand polished parts

Suspension:
19x8 (front) 19x8.5 (rear) Algernon Division Intelesse II split rims, Dunlop SP Sport 215/35/ZR19(front) 225/35/ZR19(rear) Tires, FK silverline coilovers,
FK polished front strut tower brace, ABD front sway bar 25mm, ABD rear sway bar 28mm, Adaptit USA 20mm 5x100 to 5x114.3 adapters, ECS stage 5 Brakes, Six Pot Cayenne calipers, ECS grooved and drilled two-piece discs, Steel front brake hoses, Red TT rear calipers, ECS Rear carrier spacers, Racing Blue brake fluid
Mintex Rear pads, Diesel Geek short shifter and Panzer plate sump guard

Exterior:
Custom Glasurit Reflex silver paint w/ larger flakes and red pearl., Custom molded Kamei grill into bumper, Smoothed front bumper strips, Molded 337 Chin Spoiler, Erased bumper side markers, Modified bumper and valance to be one large scoop, Saved recess for bumper grilles, Boser Hood, Shaved hatch emblem,
Molded Caractere hatch blend, Shaved rear bumper strips, Moldedd 337 rear valance, Molded in EuroGear R32 side skirts, Shaved side moldings, Shaved side , repeaters, Sahved rear wiper, Votex Hatch spoiler, Rolled arches, Blacked out B Pillars, OEM Euro HID’s, OEM Euro Ocean tail lights, PIAA wiper blades

Interior:
Ultra Suede Headliner and ABC pillars, Status Racing carbon fiver Monte Carlo Seats, Black Willans 5-Point 3” Harnesses, Momo hub adapter, NRG carbon quick release, Momo Jet steering wheel, Greddy Boost Controller flush mounted, Nu-Image silver dash gauge faces, Innovate wide-band air/fuel ratio gauge, Dual Column mount gauge pod, Evolution din gauge pod, Autometer boost gauge/EGT/oil pressure, OEM jetta vents, Aluminum dash kit, shift boot and ebrake handle, Back Seats removed

ICE:
Kenwood DVD 6.5” touch-screen, 3x JL W3 Tens, JL 500/1 Mono Amp, JL 300/4 Amp, Focal 6.5” Components (2x), Streetwires capacitor distribution block, Custom Fiberglass sub and amp rack, Sub box color matched

Shoutouts:
Roosevelt Autobody, Joe Carter, Robert Taing, Sammie, Wide Open, Tuning, Kelley Campbell, GHL:Jeff, TKO: Thip, REVO, John and Matt, at 20 Squared, Scott at USRT, Mark Perault, Chris at Fine Tuning, Rob, With Flipsidecustoms.com, Donato Rossi: DonR (vortex SN), Buttero, Josh Mackey, and my parents.
Meet new friends from itsmyvw Community!
Name: Mike DeFiore
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Location: Thomaston CT
Member Since: Nov 26, 2007
Name: Jonathan Corcio
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Location: Pico Rivera CA
Member Since: Oct 18, 2007
Name: Ray a.k.a Rento_VW
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Location: Close to Temecula, CA
Member Since: Oct 15, 2007
GALLERY
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What better way than to make your co workers envious?
COMMENTS
Posted on Feb 24 2008 11:31, by RacerX
I am glad that Drew is recovering...However,

racing down Roosevelt street at over 110 miles an hour is not cool. You might like to know that he slid for over a block, hit a rock wall, then flew about 80 feet through the air and landed in my neighbors front yard about 5 feet from the window where his daughter was sleeping. The fire hydrant that he hit flew the same distance and hit the front door of their house. I looked out my window to see the car he was racing pull up right after him and then speed off. His brother then pulled up a second later. when I ran out in my bathrobe with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire in his car his brother was screaming "wake up Drew" He then bent the drivers side window downn and pulled him out through the window. They both smelled like booze. Sorry but that is the fact.

A bicycle rider pulled up and said that Drew missed him by about a foot and that is what started the slide. He must have swerved at over 100mph to miss the bicycle rider. The guy was shaking from the near death experience.

After hearing that he just got his car out of the impound for reckless driving and knowing that he was racing again down a residential street in Seattle, I really don't have too much sympathy for Drew. I am glad that no one was killed.

If he would have landed a few feet to the right he would have killed a young girl sleeping in her bed. If he would have swerved a bit more tho the right, he would have gone right through the corner house.

Drew is not a smart guy. Sorry for the bad comment but all the praise for this guy really bugs me. He obviously doesn't care about me and my neighborhood or the people walking around here at night. he is luck that he is only fighting a DUI charge and not manslaughter charges.

I hope he recovers but I also hope that guys like him lose their licenses and cars and I will be there to testify against him in his DUI case because he was driving way out of control and nearly killed several people.

.
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