Even though I am track prepping my G I try to maintain originality. Although in my eyes the car is beyond the point of no return. However much I wanted to I could put the engine back to standard, and short of getting new panels I cant really get my arc lips back.
And even then the engine in the car is not the original engine. In my eyes its just a Mk3 polo now. I wouldn't ever track my car if it was like yours Dan. And just this morning I was debating whether to weld the sunroof shut and bosh a big vinyl over the top so I don't need a respray after I cut all the mechanisms out.
End of the day what a person decides to do to their car is up to them, but as you say, it is a shame to see good condition cars needlessly abused.