Quattro Club Event - Second Creek Raceway (Denver)

[Kaklikian, Gary]

Thanks to the hard work of Don Gruenler, Larry Boyer, Bill & Dawn Darling,
Bob & Deb Polich, and numerous other volunteers , the Quattro Club event at
Second Creek Raceway this past weekend was a resounding success.  There were
no major mishaps (other than a blown turbo on a S4tt) and the weather even
held up (for the most part). 

An instructor clinic was held on Friday, Saturday consisted of classroom
sessions,  a series of exercises (slalom, lane toss, threshold braking) and
a couple of lapping sessions,  and Sunday included more classroom and ample
track time.  This was my first event as an instructor  (and I use that term
loosely). I helped out with the lane toss exercise on Saturday and then
accompanied my two students on their track sessions.  One, driving a nice
silver A4 Avant (with cloth interior noless), had some autocross and track
experience, though he'd never driven at Second Creek. He was smooth and fast
by his second session and definitely stood out in his run group. The second,
driving an immaculate cashmere '95.5 S6 with chip, suspension, and brake
upgrades (I was envious), was a track novice and wonderful student.  It was
really gratifying seeing the improvement in his technique by the second day,
though I was only one of several who assisted him.  His remark "I never
realized my car could do this" summed up what these events are all about.

Second Creek is a tight 1.7 mile course with 14 turns and two 2000-ft
"straights",  one with a single kink, the other a straight only in the sense
that you don't brake through its turns. A track map and description is at
http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/SecondCreek.html
Although it was in the best condition I've ever seen, it's not one of my
favorite tracks. It's very technical, hard on brakes, and the only place
where my water and oil temps get high enough to limit my track time.

I don't have the exact numbers, but I would guess the attendance was at
least 80% Audi's, a good mix of older and newer models. Of course, the new
A4/S4's predominated, but there were a few UrQ's, type 44's, 20v coupes and
sedans, and UrS's.  Most of the instructor's cars were fitted with track
tires,  most commonly BFG R1's and DOT Hoosiers.  My  4000tq was fitted with
well-worn 16"  P7000 summers, the same tires I use on the street.  I can't
imagine a better street tire for track use - no chunking,  very sticky, and
easy to control at the limit (as witnessed when I passed an UrQ at the end
of the front straight, missed the braking points, and had to brake hard and
rotate the car simultaneously.) 

Even with "only" 15psi boost and running a mix of pump gas and 101 octane,
my 4000 ran great, with exhaust temps rarely exceeding 1400F and plenty of
power to easily distance myself from anyone on the straights (though I never
did get an opportunity to dice with the 20vt UrQ).  Elicited many comments
of "what the heck do you have under that hood?", to which I replied, "oh,
just an old Audi I-5." 

  I used the opportunity to test out my new 996 calipers and A8 rotors, and
am happy to report, the car finally has sufficient brakes.  I could outbrake
most anyone, though I did nearly completely wear out a new set of
Porterfield R4S pads (ok, call it brake abuse).
I had a power steering belt flip and almost break Sunday morning, and, after
this was replaced all was well until my brake pedal suddenly sank exiting
Spectator Hook.  I thought a line had burst, but inspection revealed no
fluid leaks. The failure was sudden; there was minimal fade prior to this.
Bleeding the front brakes, there were few air bubbles, but barely enough
pressure to push the fluid, so I imagine I've lost the master cylinder for
the front brakes. (I have a Girling dual master cylinder setup with no power
assist.)
Oh well, at least the failure occured in a safe place, and the master
cylinder is only 1/2 the price of a new set of brake pads.  The stock A8
rotors held up fine, aided by some cooling hoses routed from ducts in the
lower grill.   

Lap times? Well, as could be expected a few cars with slicks were faster
through the corners than I was on my street tires.  Best I could manage was
1:24's, whereas two others, one in a nicely-prepared A4 turbo, the other in
the 20vt UrQ, both running R1's,  dipped into the 1:22's.    But, then
again, John and Larry are also much smoother around this track than I am. 

I did get selected to drive a few laps with a camera mounted to the hood of
my car  (the newer cars were far to pretty to risk scratching the paint).
Unfortunately,  I had to go solo on the track and was just getting into a
groove when time expired, but hopefully a clip will be posted to a Qclub
site. 

So, my weekend ended a bit early Sunday with the brake problem.  Shortly
after I left, the fickle Colorado weather took a major turn for the worse.
Most of the day was warm and dry, actually hot, and then a cold front came
through, kicking the winds up to 50+ mph, causing a dust storm. When I got
back home, it started to snow. By the next morning, we had 4 inches of fresh
snow on the lawn and the 4000 was covered.  I hope everyone who drove to the
track on race tires got home safely in time.

Again, thanks to the Rocky Mountain Region Quattro Club for a great event.
And a special thanks to my "pit crew"  - Ed and Joe. 

Gary Kaklikian
'86 4ktq
'92 S4