This was my first track event and it was awesome. Probably won't do another this year, but plan to go back to Waterford next year. Would also like to go to next years National event and one other in or near Michigan. Any ideas for where I should go for the other event? Ant idea where the National event will be?

The track is a nice short technical course to learn on. I forget how long, does anyone remember? While driving with my instructor, I was told where I was making my mistakes. Eventually I was telling her about my mistakes as I did them. I've got a lot to learn still.

Some interesting things from this weekend. A '99 Dodge Caravan can fly around the track. Byron's (Vortrag) GTI can pass a 944. On my last run (only 5 cars on track instead of 10) I could not pass Jason's (Vortrag) GTI once I closed in on him. Each time around I would miss the line in a corner and was never close enough to warrant a pass on the back straight. Jason has the line down pretty good.

Some things I would like to get: Racing harness for both front seats, Helmet, Alcon brake kit from Vortrag, and 18' wheels and tires for warm weather and track. Possibly UUC's VM2 exhaust and even less likely, APR's chip. The car is fast enough for me and I've got a lot of learning to do. Safety first, then brakes, then speed.

Also, very couteous drivers at the event. Every time I wanted to pass on the back straight (only passing zone for my run group), the driver simply moved over and flagged me by. Jason was even nice enough to flag me by him before he passed the car in front of him. I hope this is how other events go too.

I met some new people there, including some from here. I'm sure I'll see some of them at other events. I don't feel guilty driving to work in Dearborn anymore. One of the other S4 owners works in Dearborn for the family run automaker with their HQ there.

Since I didn't bring a camera (nor do I own one), I would appreciate any pictures of my car.

Thanks Cathleen for organizing this event. Thanks to all of the instructors especially Phil Smith (class room) and Mary Medo (on the track). I got to ride with both of them in thier cars and Todd Candey's '86 4000. Thanks to all of the sponsors, especially UUC. UUC donated a shortshift kit for the raffle and I won. That pretty much paid for the event since I planned I buying one anyway.

Also, thanks Scott Childress for letting me use your tarp and tools. Now I know what to bring for next time.<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

Check the link below for an article I wrote on what to bring to a track event. It isn't "THE STANDARD" and may be missing some stuff, but it is a good start, IMHO.

National event location won't be announced (publically) until later this year (late fall) after another QCUSA Board of Directors meeting. I'm hoping it will be the Summit Point event (we doubled attendance in 1 year!) but there are many other events that are more established. My guess? Look for a California event, though QCUSA may want a more central location in order to get a "national" attendance, rather than a regional one.

Jon<ul><li><a href="http://www.quattroclubusa.org/r/potomac/events/eventprep.html">What to bring to an event</a></li></ul>

Yeah I felt bad borrowing and never loaning.

I wouldn't mind going to CA. So long as I could get someone to make the trip with me. I know Corey and Sharon made it to Mid-Ohio. Why can't the rest of us make a long trip?<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

I can't get the silly grin off my face after using these Alcons for the first time! In two days of Waterford I never braked late enough on the back straight. I need to work on my courage!

Byron was pretty good in that Alcon equipped Gti! Especially since he spent late Friday night helping Todd install my brakes! Kudos to Vortrag.

Spieks ('98 A4 with Alcon B's)

P.S. It was great to meet you and all the other Michigan folks.

before you start dumping cash into the car.

I mainly run with PDA and Trackmasters. Last year my 1.8TQMS consisted of a Wett 1.0 chip, Stebro exhaust and Mintex C-Tech pads on slotted rotors. I was running low 1:08s at LimeRock with this setup on 205/55/16 Dunlop SP8000Es (sports package tires).

People were amazed that I could "outbrake" a C5 Corvette or M3. Guys in 911s couldn't believe how much distance I could put on them through the twisties (only to be made up by the high HP on the straight). Unfortunately, I can't make the A4 stop quicker than any of those cars, but I know just how much speed I really need to scrub off, how to trail brake into the corner, how to use braking induced oversteer to my advantage, how to set up for the apex and how to position myself upon exit for the next corner(s). Simply stated, I might know what I am doing. Other guys with $60,000+ cars may not.

I had one of the most enjoyable times at LRP this year with QCUSA. I ran with a guy named Larry (I hope I got that right) in the Red run group. He was driving a $1200 Honda Civic CRX. This thing had stock wheels and street tires (not even good ones). I hate to say it, but this guy was faster than me (and I am on R-1s now with at least 240hp). Simply stated, he could drive.

No offense, but I am sure you have never come close to the limits of you car. Invest all of your time and money into your driving skills. When you consistently walk the knife edge between control and being in the grass every lap and you cannot improve your times (it took me to get bored with it actually) then spend some money on brakes or tires or stickers or Xenon headlights or whatever makes you happy.

Oh yeah, if you ever want to know what DRIVING is really like, try Kart racing. It is simply unbelievable!

To making ourselves better,
Mike O.

You did notice the order I put things on my wish list, didn't you?

Harneses (sp?) and helmet for safety. These I feel are a must.

Brakes for stopping. Being able to stop is more important than being able to move. If I'm going push this car, why not have some kick a$$ brakes. Don't really need, but would be nice.

18" wheels and tires. I'm going to chew up tires going to instruction schools. So I'm going to need tires. Also, I plan to get snow tires mounted on my stock wheels. Since I'll need a new set of wheels, why not get 18's. Perhaps this should have been placed before the brake upgrade since it is more likely and practical.

Possibly VM2 exhaust and even less likely APR chip. The car is fast enough for me and I've got a lot of learning to do.

If you disagree with me on the safety items, you are crazy. The brakes, wheels and tires, well to each their own. The exhaust and chip, I did say the car is fast enough for me and I've got a lot of learning to do.<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

That before you spend money on performance parts for your car...go to Skip Barber/Russell Racing/Bob Bonderant etc...and use THEIR cars. Then, when you have developed some basic car control skills...then start doing parts modifications to your car...yes, start with safety items first...not cosmetics items...or chip tuning. THEN, take your new and improved cars...with the skills you developed...and start the never-ending driving improvement goals.

I really need to practice what I am preachin. :-(<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4sig1.jpg"<br><br>
Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org

The top three things I would get if I were you are:

1. The best helmet you can afford (Kevlar if you can cause they're light) and a collar.

2. Schroth 4 point (or equivalent) harnesses. Nothing keeps you planted in the seat like a good harness. When I drive on the edge, I rely almost exclusively on my ass to tell me what is going on. You can't "feel" the car if you are being thrown around inside of it.

3. A set of wrestling shoes. Don't bother with the Pilotis or true fireproof race shoes unless you drive in events that require them (and the SFI suit that goes along with it). For $29.00 you can get good wrestling shoes that will vastly improve both your feel for the pedals and the grip to the pedals.

4. A good set of driving gloves. I like the confidence of knowing that no matter how hot or sweaty my hands are, I have positive grip on the wheel all the time.

Sorry if you took offense to my prior post, but I think you get the point.

Instead of spending $X,000 on a Skippy school, find a local Kart shop and inquire about renting a cart for several weekend races. Hell, just go out and buy a used one, they're around $1500 for a decent competetive one. A group of my track buddies try to do this at least once a year. We pay $200 each and just show up at the track. They even put us in our own class (or senior novice if there's not enough of us). Trust me, a day on one of these things and you will learn about car control. I don't think there is anything short of a Champ Car that can predicatably pull that many G's and not bite you when you puch it past the limit. Very Cool!!

Regards,
Mike O.

It was a great weekend! You looked to be improving with every lap and enjoying it too (from what I could see from pit control, anyway!)

I agree with some of the stuff mentioned below. I drove my car in stock form for two years. Learning how to handle and drive what I had. The better driver can get a lot from a car, regardless of its setup and when you get to the level of running out of brakes (because you are pushing the limits) and suspension, etc. you will be ready.

In order of importance (IMO) start with wheels/tires (helmet & harness is whenever you want). Stay on street compound tires though. A big mistake people make is doing track tires right away and in many cases too soon. Track tires don't give any warning when they've reached their limits. You have traction one minute and then you're in the weeds/walls/gravel the next.
First drive on street performance tires (good ones like Bridgestone S02 pole positions, etc.)and learn to control your car. When they get hot and you slide a bit, you can learn more about car control before you graduate to track tires. When you are finally at the level that you really have great experience at car control on-track, you will get so much more out of your track tires and also be able to react properly if they should go beyond their limits.

The next upgrades after good performance street tires, is suspension. Your brakes are important but if you have tons of excess body roll, brake dive and nose lift (upon accel.) you are not cornering and braking, etc. as effectively as you could. You will have much better control in a car that isn't fighting you around corners and such.

Brakes. When you get to the point that you are braking hard enough that you get brake fade in the middle of your session, you may want to consider doing some things. You can start with doing a rotor, pad, lines and fluid upgrade (there are Alcon rotors and Pagid pads avail. from Vortrag that will fit under your stock S4 caliper). That's a good start and will improve performance. If you are really addicted and have improved to the point of needing the whole big brake kit, then it would be worth it when you are ready.
The S4 is a heavy car and if people are then putting chips and such in them to make them even faster (hence carrying even more speed into a braking zone) they do need much better brakes.

Overall, do more schools. The more you learn and work with being the best driver you can be, in the car you have, the more you will get out of upgrades that you do down the line.
That's how I did it. I ran street tires for 5 years and THIS EVENT was the first time I ever ran a track tire (Hoosiers) on my own car. I was able to get more out of them because I know and have reached the limits in a street performance tire.

I also did everything (except tires) to my car BEFORE I did power upgrades. You have wisely figured that out already. If you can be fast in a "slow" car.....you are far better off than a less experienced driver in a car that is far beyond their capabilities. Speed can get you into serious trouble if you do not have the driver's skill to handle it yet.

You saw how fast that Byron and Todd could be in car's with far less hp than the cars they passed.
Driver skill and how the car handles will almost always make up for horsepower. I've also seen that a car set up with good tires/suspension/brakes will easily out-perform a car with more horsepower but not enough brake, suspension and tire to handle that power through the corners.
I'm glad you had a great time, Brett! I knew you'd like it.
This year, Road America is still open (in Elkhart Lake, WI). That is an amazing track (4 miles long)! That event is in September and there a few of us that will be doing a caravan up there from SE Michigan.
Next year, schools in the Midwest that would be easy for you to get to are:
Grattan (Grand Rapids, MI)
Mid-Ohio (Lexington, OH) ***GREAT TRACK!
Waterford Hills (Clarkston, MI of course)
Blackhawk Farms (Beloit, WI)
Maybe some others too, depending on which tracks we add on.
-Cathleen

<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

well I guess we can talk tonite... are you going to be there???<p>Jason C
'93 S4 (340hp MTM Stage III+)

I would have to agree 100% with Cathleen. In the last QUSA event at Pahrump, NV, I had my bad a$$ chip in my S4, and the car was fast. That didn't mean I drove well.

I just got going through my 2nd at TracQuest at Thunderhill running my completely stock except S02's with my S4.

I installed my harnesses after the first event. I found out that I was trying to fight myself against physics and couldn't tell precisely what the car was doing. Apart from some safety considerations, I installed my harnesses to plant myself in the seat and feel what the car was doing through the track.

It is a 100% improvement in detecting what I need next, and that is suspension. The heavy S4 rolls (which is quite annoying) when put through the turns, and therefore warrants suspension modifications.

The brakes I feel are good for now as my brakes are not fading yet. I suspect with the better suspension, I will start braking much later as I will be able to take a turn better and with higher speeds.

Stock power was only a "hinderance" when I did not have enough HP to pass on a straight safely and quickly.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3559"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/jyoteen_sig3.gif" border="0"></a>

<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx

Well, Todd, myself and Byron are for sure. Todd and I never miss a QCUSA Road America event.
I'm pretty sure Rob Shick will go (he was an instrcutor at this weekends W-Hills event). He has gone the past two years, so he'll probably go again.
We had a caravan of about 6-7 cars last year. Cameron being one of them.
I imagine we'll have a few more this year, if we get everyone in our group thinking about it.
The track is long, fast and beautiful. Of course, you go at speeds YOU feel comfortable with but I guarantee you'd LOVE this track. It is well worth the trip and the money.
The track is only available weekdays for us club-goers. Real races are scheduled for weekends. That means we do a Monday-Tuesday event with the Quattro Club. It's about a 7 hour drive to the track (Appx. 5 hours to Chicago and another 2 to Elkhart Lake). We arrive Sunday and drive back Tuesday part of the way and stop at a motel on the way back or we'll drive all the way back to Detroit and do the 3 hour rest-stop nap.
It means you have to use vacation days, but after having done this track, you'll be glad you did!
See you tonight at the SEMAG gathering?
-Cathleen

This is going to be the most advance notice I've ever given my boss for a time off request. Usually I turn them in with less than 2 weeks notice.

Rob had the Honda Civic, right? What about Jason (Vortrag)?<p>Brett Gissel
'00 S4, Pearl White/Onyx