I work in a shop that used to be exclusive VW(Now we do the v-tec thing to) and the guys always give me a hard time about what is faster etc.

These are my findings......
1) on the race track a box-stock ITR is always quicker than a 1.8T of the same mods....no matter who is driving
2)Street drag launches will be won by the 1.8t (cuz of it's enormous torque) if the ITR guy doesn't launch above 8,000 ( I can cuz i run RA-1s on the street)
3)After 200kph(125mph) the ITR leaves most VW products in the dust.

Let me know of your run-ins......in the mean time keep it above 7,000

BTW, almost all 1.8t are chipped, so 180bhp+ and 240 torque + are on tap.