First, I'd like to thank the 50 odd participants that attended the first annual drivers & instructors school in Las Vegas over the weekend! I think everyone had an interesting and rewarding time driving the quite challenging track.<p>The event started on Friday with an Instructors School. It was quite the surprise to drive through the mountain pass on Hgwy 160, to see it covered in snow and ice, with temperatures in the 20's. Unfortunately, one of the drivers ended in the ditch, after hitting an ice patch, damaging his suspension quite seriously. <br>The day was filled with interesting information on teaching the basics of oversteer, understeer, threshold braking, lane toss, and slalom driving. The day, unfortunately, was quite windy and chilly. In the afternoon, everyone was able to take some practice laps on the 2.2mile, 11 turn track. The track was very challenging, especially since there were few reference points and the desert can be quite deceiving. It is definitely a course that requires complete concentration.<br>Friday evening was highlighted by the Pirelli sponsored Reception and registration and most tried their luck at the "Lost Wages" gaming tables.<p>Saturday, started early with a 6AM drive, much better with no snow or ice--on a crystal clear, cold, yet sunny morning. The desert mountains provided some great scenery. <br>The track, virtually brand new, was beckoning all to participate. After a drivers meeting and "tech check-out" session--drivers were grouped into 3 categories based on driver experience. The morning featured exercises and classroom technical sessions. Lunch was provided at the track, while everyone was anxiously waiting to experience the track! After lunch, the instructors took everyone on "parade laps" to explain the nuances of driving this course--turn in points, exit points, and braking points. Thereafter, each participant took turns with first the instructor driving and then the pupil. After this preliminary session, the drivers took turns-with their individual assigned instructor, providing tips and encouragement.<br>Saturday evening featured the Ronal, Pirelli, Mothers "sponsored dinner." It allowed everyone to relax and relate stories of their first day's experiences. Finally, a raffle of numerous prizes by companies like Ronal Wheels, Pirelli Tires, Mothers Polish, Clarion Stereo, Neuspeed, Wings West, Iltek, New Dimensions, Dick's AudiPerformance, TAP Racing, and the Audi Quattro Club raised over $700. for the Audi Quattro Club.<br>Featured items were a set of 16" Ronal LV wheels, a stage 1 chip from Neuspeed, numerous items from Iltek, and many car care products from Mothers. As a momento of the event, Pirelli provided inscribed Wine Glasses to all the participants. Everyone had a great evening, however-unfortunately-one of our cars was broadsided just prior to dinner, at an intersection totalling the car--but thankfully only causing minor injuries.<p>Sunday featured another early, clear morning. Everyone continued taking turns with an instructor and some of the intermediates graduated to driving "solo." The weather turned cloudy and chilly in the afternoon which caused some early departures with the threat of snow and rain.<br>Overall, I think everyone had a great time, especially those who were able to catch a thrilling ride with Ruppert Smith, the amicable track owner, in his specially prepared Callaway Corvette. He also put on some very enjoyable driving exhibitions!<p>Most important, everyone had a SAFE driving experience and, hopefully, enhanced their driving ability by getting to know the driving characteristics of their own car in a safe environment. By the way, I personally had 128 miles of track time, driving-not instructing--on Sunday alone!! One does get alot of track time at one of these events!!<p>A special thanks to Mike Fischer and Karen Chadwick of the Audi Quattro Club, Eric Pilhoffer, Larry Boyer, and Carl Buckland--event coordinators, the sponsors, and all the participants. <br>Plans are already underway to make next years event even better. I hope we'll see more of you next year.<p>Finally, for those interested--you can contact Karen Chadwick at 612-475-2063--for upcoming Audi Drivers Schools, across the country.<br>Thanks again.<br>

Having been two of the lucky participants at the LV Drivers School, my wife, Gina, and I have to echo Gary's comments and personally thank him for all the work that he and his assistant, Tanya, did to sucessfully sponsor this event.<p>After my first experience at Thunderhill in January, this track was a sharp contrast: the turns required much more precise driving and constant concentration. As Gary said, very few landmarks were available to aid in driving the optimal line.<p>Fortunately, I learned how to handle the car on this demanding track and "graduated" to drive solo on Sunday. I even helped "instruct" a couple of the novice drivers out on the track for the first time!<p>Along those lines, quite a few of the NorCal A4 Club members attended the Instructor's School on Friday and were immediately pressed into service on Saturday and Sunday. Like the excellent drivers they are, they were up to the task, and all the students were quite happy with their instruction. My hat's off to all of you!<p>Sure, it was a long drive to get there and back, but in the end it was definitely worth it. My sincere condolences to the two that were involved in the mishaps. Fortunately, for the mostpart, only the cars were damaged.<p>See you all there next year?!<p>Jim