To celebrate and promote the newest GTI anniversary edition, the Edition 50 (that’s fifty years of the GTI badge!), Volkswagen invited a number of enthusiasts to take part in a parade lap before the start of the latest 24 Hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It was a fitting tribute to a car that has defined the hot hatch segment for half a century, and an opportunity that few of us could pass up.

The Nürburgring 24 Hour race is a legendary event amongst car folk. Each year people travel far and wide to gather around the Green Hell and transform the surroundings into car parks and tent villages. In fact, for 2025, over 280,000 spectators made the trip to the world’s longest circuit. The atmosphere is electric, a sprawling festival of petrolheads from all corners of the globe, united by their passion for motorsport.

To be able to document the day, I hopped in the passenger seat of my friend Tobi’s Mk4 GTI and got my camera ready. We all met up at Volkswagen’s facilities near the Nordschleife, where some quick introductions were made. Even our very own Jamie Orr made the trek over to Germany from the US and piloted a Mk3 GTI on this day. It was a proper gathering of generations, from the boxy charm of the early cars to the modern interpretations of the formula. Before we could really check out each other’s rides in detail, however, we quickly had to get over to the track. We gathered in the car park next to the entrance for the Touristenfahrten and waited until the barriers would open up for us. In the meantime, we had a first chance to look a bit more at some of the attending cars, admiring the personal touches and the evident pride of ownership that comes with keeping these machines on the road.

Once it was finally time to hit the track, the marshals opened up the barrier and the new GTI Edition 50 led the whole pack onto the tarmac. Rolling out in a convoy of Golfs spanning five decades, with the latest model leading the way, felt like a moving museum—one where every exhibit was driven with the enthusiasm it deserved.

It’s completely bonkers how the spectators transform the track each year—the campsites become living, breathing cities of their own. Everyone knows how it looks from the outside, either through streams, photos, or even having been there. But to see it from the other side? To get a chance to see the same views all the brave drivers see when blasting over the hallowed asphalt of the Nordschleife? That’s not something that happens every day. As we rounded the first few corners, the sheer scale of the event hit me. The crowds were not just watching; they were part of the scenery, lining the fences, perched on embankments, and waving flags with an energy that seemed to shake the trees lining the track.

And boy, oh boy. Seeing the sheer masses of spectators from the other side of the fence for once was truly breathtaking and really drove home what a massive event the 24H race has evolved into. For a few precious minutes, we weren’t just fans looking in; we were part of the spectacle, rolling past the same grandstands that would soon echo with the roar of GT3 cars. It was a unique perspective that gave me a newfound appreciation for the drivers who tackle this place at full speed, navigating not just the unforgiving asphalt but the wall of sound and colour that is the Nürburgring crowd.

All too soon, the lap was over. We headed back to Volkswagen’s facilities, where we had the opportunity to look at the cars some more, grab a bite to eat, and chat with fellow enthusiasts. The mood was relaxed, but there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. As the official start of the race drew near, people started making their way over to the track again – as did we. To contrast what we had seen earlier from on track, we made our way over to Brünnchen, one of the most famous spectator sections. From there, we soaked up the atmosphere as the race began, watching the cars stream past and reflecting on the morning’s events.

Experiencing the Nordschleife from the cockpit, even at more sedate parade lap speeds, is a privilege that never gets old. But doing so as part of a celebration for 50 years of the GTI, surrounded by a convoy of cars that represent half a century of automotive history? That was something truly special. It was a reminder that while the cars have evolved, the passion that drives this community remains as strong as ever. Here’s to the next fifty years, VW!