Trip Report: QCLUB at Road America 2001
Kaklikian, Gary
Gary.Kaklikian at compaq.com
Fri Sep 28 14:06:19 EDT 2001
> Great report Scott! This truely was a memorable experience! I
> appreciate
> the dubious distinction of "Best run what you brung!" More on that
> later...
>
> Road America being one of the premier tracks in the country, I have no
> regrets about traveling 1100 miles each way for the opportunity to put
> in ~80 laps there as well as meet a great group of Midwestern Audi
> fanatics. The diversity of cars present, both Audi's and non-Audi's,
> was truely amazing, and many of the instructor's cars were trailered
> in. I had a great time with both of my students - Tom M. and Kent W -
> and the enthusiasm and dedication of all the instructors and students
> was wonderful.
>
> It is a tribute to the Qclub organizers, in particular Larry B., and
> the
> RA course workers, that the event was run safely and smoothly over the
> two days. Other than some chilly conditions in the early morning
> hours,
> the track was fast, the turbo cars were in their element in the cool
> weather, and adrenalin levels were high. There was a fair amount of
> attrition too, what with many mechanical problems and off track
> excursions, although the lion's share of these involved marques other
> than Audi's. The poor guy in the M3 who had cooling system problems
> throughout the event which eventually disabled his car. The 944 turbo
> that blew an oil line and spewed oil over the track near turn 5. The
> '00
> Vette that went into the wall at the Kink at 90mph, deploying both air
> bags and seriously mangling the frame.
> (Makes me wonder wonder what would happen to a 4000 in a similar
> incident ---- think it's time for a rollcage!)
>
> For me personally, the most fun was dicing with Craig J.'s 4000tq race
> car(aka Lava Machine), Larry T's 5000tq race car (weighing only
> 2800lbs!) and numerous 944's and 911's. Up until now, I've always run
> track events on well-worn street tires, but the Kumho V700's were
> definitely an improvement. Also, for once I had no brake problems
> (cooling hoses are invaluable), although next time more aggressive
> pads
> are in order.
>
> Unforunately, my 4000tq never ran right the whole time. I should
> have
> known when I mentioned to my mechanic before I left Colorado, "The one
> thing I never worry about on this car is the engine", that I was
> cursing myself! Even before the event I noticed the exhaust was louder
> than normal, which I erroneously attributed to the air density at low
> altitude. (Interestingly, the idle also increased by 200rpm compared
> to
> here at 6000ft and the fuel pump squawking disappeared). It turns out
> I
> have a cracked exhaust manifold and/or downpipe. Plus, I had a
> leaking
> turbo-intercooler hose. Hopefully, I didn't burn any valves driving on
> the track with these conditions and limping all the way home to
> Denver.
>
> So, not only did my car look like s$#t as Scott points out (ok, so
> there was no time to finish the fender flares or get a real paint
> job),
> but it ran like s$#t as well!
>
> Anyway, I have no regrets about the long trek to RA (though next time
> a
> trailer might be in order), and for those of you who have not had the
> chance to drive there, I highly recommend it. Worn street tires and
> good brake pads are all you really need for a very rewarding
> experience.
>
>
> (Oh and a special thanks to the guy at the truck stop in N. Platte, NE
> who grinded down the fender lips inside my rear flares that allowed me
> to continue on to RA. I had loaded the car a bit too much with race
> tires/wheels, tools, parts, etc and there was a nice scrapping noise
> from the rear whenever I went over a dip on the highway - gouges in
> the
> tires to prove it.)
>
> Gary Kaklikian
> '86 4ktq
> '92 S4
>
> > ----------
> > From: qshipq at aol.com[SMTP:qshipq at aol.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 1:31 PM
> > To: quattro at audifans.com; torsen at audifans.com;
> 200q20v at audifans.com;
> > audi20v at rennlist.org; v8 at audifans.com; urq at audifans.com;
> > s-car-list at yahoogroups.com
> > Cc: Larry.Boyer at gasai.com
> > Subject: [s-cars] Trip Report: QCLUB at Road America 2001
> >
> > September 23. 24, 25
> > Road America Elkhart Lake WI
> > Conditions: Monday: lower 50's cloudy 35-35mph wind gusts
> > Tuesday: Lower 50's 20-25 wind gusts
> > Eventmaster: Larry Boyer, Esq
> > Cars: ~125
> >
> > Ok, boys and girls, by popular demand, the Best Of format continues.
> > For
> > those of you that haven't been to this track with your audi, you
> > should this
> > is one of the best in the world. For those of you that haven't been
> > to a
> > track event, you should, Qclub runs some of the best. For me
> > personally,
> > some last minute scheduling (and alternator swapping) issues made my
> > arrival
> > most poste haste. After my scolding from Larry for my lack of
> q-com,
> > the fun
> > begins. Here's the best as I can remember:
> >
> > * Best Preflight data acquisition: Fellow lister Bob Dupree
> sighting
> > of me
> > pushing the 87 qwagon (22psi, Big Reds, "mods") the last 100yards to
> > his
> > garage. My type 44t btw, runs at 6.1 volts (3 blocks away), but not
> > at 5.9v.
> > Timing is everything. A very humbling moment for this audi
> > tweekster, dying
> > audi, no tools. Thank god for best friends.
> >
> > * Best Preflight acquisition: Fellow lister David Hackl, looking
> for
> > ways
> > to improve his visual flight rating (91cq, 93 90cs, 4k, 75 911S),
> > stopping in
> > Detroit on Friday, picking up a 79 930t, checking the oil, then off
> to
> > RA.
> > Black/Black, any officianados' clear definition of Lucifer hisself,
> > all of us
> > praying for no wraths of audi gods for the blasphemic intrusion.
> >
> > * Best last minute: Wasn't me, it was Ingo Rautenburg (ex v8, 91
> > 200tq),
> > driving straight thru Detroit to Elkhart Lake Sunday night, arriving
> > just in
> > time for track time Monday morning. Somewhere in Ingos scrambled
> > ramblings,
> > we heard some story of stud conversions gone array (stripped), and
> > dremel
> > tool fixes of said studs. I believe Ingo is now ISO dremel
> certified
> > down to
> > 14x1.50. Cool.
> >
> > * Best Preflight check: Taking the family wagon to the track can
> be
> > humbling, emptying juice containers and Mickey D's milk shake
> > leftovers (half
> > full still) from the rear map pocket. Thankfully, I managed to hide
> > the nail
> > polish and lipstick before anyone saw. Some kidsmeal varmit still
> > found it's
> > way onto the rear floor, wondering what was up with the wild ride,
> I'm
> > sure.
> >
> > * Best of Show: Tie between 2 classics one beginning an era, one
> > ending.
> > David Hackl's '79 930t and Dean Treadway's stock euro 90 20v urq
> (abs
> > and
> > all- yep that one we all saw on mentioned on these lists). Both
> > black, both
> > classics, both set apart from the all the rest in engineering and
> > design
> > visions, one forshadowing, one reflecting. I stared a long time at
> > both.
> >
> > * Best ride: Tie again, both non audis too. David Hackl allowed
> me
> > the
> > pleasure of piloting his machine, a higher honor would be tough to
> > recieve
> > from any friend. I explored well below the limits of this beast,
> and
> > fully
> > understood the boldface 911 rule book quote: Don't lift in a 930.
> I
> > tried
> > to just test this in Turn 1 (wide safe sweeper), even a slight lift
> of
> > the
> > throttle brought quick signs of how close those dark shadows breathe
> > within
> > this beast. The close second, and ironic comparo, was my right seat
> > ride in
> > the tweeked 993tt. The limits of this car are certainly higher than
> > most
> > could ever possess, and it was quite evident, even from the right
> > seat. A
> > raw but kinder evolution of the marque. Just the thought of being
> car
> > sick
> > from acceleration g's crossed my mind, thankfully I got over that
> > feeling.
> > Jeezes!
> >
> > * Best enthusiast award: Kent Anderson, in back brace from a
> carting
> >
> > mishap, directing the students in the exercises, as well as driving.
> > I
> > believe it was only on Larry's insistence that Kent couldn't
> instruct
> > in car.
> > Kent's story of the carting incident was rather harrowing I might
> > add, but
> > good to see him well and helping out as always.
> >
> > * Best troop deployment: The very strategic identification of a
> > potential
> > security risk (of life, limb and fun) by both Mary and Larry, when 2
> > rogue
> > Porsches showed up piloted by two very competitive and excited
> > brothers. A
>
>
> > bit of shuffling, and a fellow 911t driver got the 993, I got the
> 2001
> >
> > carrerra 2 brother. After tearing down some of the ego and
> > testosterone, and
> > building back up the basics, I found both these guys to be eager to
> > learn,
> > albeit trying harder than the laws of physics might accord. After
> > constant
> > warnings of building speed, not carrying speed on a new track,
> Newton
> > managed
> > to grab my Carrera 2 driver in turn 12. Which leads to...
> >
> > * Best Quote of the Day: As Sergio and I awaited rescue in the
> > gravel, we
> > went thru all the specifics of how and why what happened did (your
> > basic
> > violation of rule 1 in the 911 chassis handbook - see above). After
> > we
> > pulled into the pits, he asked me to sum up the off. "Well," I said
>
> > (thinking how he had just taken me out the run group before in his
> > bros 993):
> > "Thank god it wasn't in your brothers car". His face got ashen,
> "Oh,
> > god,
> > he would have killed me!" Yup, a lot to learn yet.
> >
> > * Second Best Quote of the Day: After Dave's generous offer of the
> > controls
> > to the 930, a look at A008P tires (recalling a very arduous snow
> > journey with
> > them years ago), a look at the sky. "Thanks davey, I'll certainly
> > take a
> > pass if it rains tho". The automotive definition of a "rain check"
> > quattro
> > guys don't understand.
> >
> > * Best Advice at the time: After a disallowed pass by my student
> > between 1&
> > 2 (an incidental pass from sheer speed differential chasing a 90q
> thru
> > turn
> > 1), the flagperson at 2 stood and was on the radio quickly advising
> > the
> > others. My student asked what he should do. I said, "Well at Road
> > America,
> > you want to "get small", drive like your car is 2 inches tall, maybe
> > they
> > won't see us." He eased his way around the course, solid looks, no
> > flag.
> > Whew. Steve Martin would proud.
> >
> > * Best Impulse buy: Larry's Mary talking about how she was going
> to
> > buy
> > Dean Treadway's sweet 91cq 20vt conversion at the dinner Monday
> night.
> > Er,
> > Dean wasn't aware of any of this until Tuesday am, btw. Touche
> Mary,
> > don't
> > let your "husband" drive that car.
> >
> > * Best Impuse act: Werner Krause was revving up the crowd at the
> > Osthoff
> > Monday night, speaking of Ice Driving schools in WI, and another
> qclub
> > in the
> > region. After paying a mispoken tribute to Eventmaster Larry Boyer
> > and "his
> > wife Mary", Larry gave a look to Mary I would have loved to have on
> > film. I
> > decided that announcement needed some encouragement, so I led the
> fork
> > on the
> > crystal clink to the "newlyweds". God if only Larry and Mary knew,
> > Werner.
> > Ah, details.
> >
> > * Best Food: Unlike so many other events, it's so tough to beat
> the
> > Ostoff
> > itself. I enjoyed a fine morsel of tenderloin that would rival the
> > Stockyards in Dallas. Dave, Ingo and I also enjoyed some fine
> > breakfast
> > there as well, the Potato pancakes with cold salmon was supreme.
> >
> > * Best Off: Keith Anderson, went so straight on turn 1, that you
> > could see
> > the 4 skid marks, then sight the scope way out into the gravel. So
> > far out,
> > that I had to beep and wave at Keith to make sure he was, er, ok :).
> > To his
> > credit, he was so busy putting on brake pads that he only got a
> couple
> > runs.
> > Many of us must have forgotten to tell him, that despite his MN
> roots,
> > it was
> > indeed cold on that track. I really doubt his tires ever got hot,
> > always
> > presents those problems in basic physics. But hey, if you are gonna
> > go off,
> > might as well do it right (3 towstraps deep has to be some sort of
> > record).
> >
> > * Best brag of Qclub: Of some 3 trailer type totals (1 engine
> total
> > - 944t,
> > 1 engine stress - C4 mishift , 1 Z06 er, subcompact), Non marque =
> 3+,
> > audi =
> > 0. Touche.
> >
> > * Best run what you brung: I got to drive Gary K's turbo 4kq.
> > Interesting
> > testoterone killer. The first couple laps his race tires prevented
> > fast
> > laps, gave a bunch of S cars the pass signal. Once the tires were
> > warm
> > however, trying to get those passes back, ended up being my take
> > instead of
> > their "give". Spray can painted fender flares sometimes can just
> > spoil a
> > good party. Great job Gary, spoil away!
> >
> > * Best of the Rally roots: Susan Anderson (tweeked 1.8t) reeling
> the
> > 87tqw.
> > As my engine temps started to rise, decided to resort to more
> > creative
> > tactics. A bit of the dust smoke screen exiting the Carousel only
> > managed to
> > sway but not deter her gain. I believe it was the very next lap
> that
> > we
> > trained by her husband, er, trying to prorally with R1's.
> >
> > * Best kidding aside: Hey Dave, that was a great shot of your 930
> > in the
> > carousel. Oops, but you're in the passenger seat. Almost bought
> the
> > pic,
> > but I'd rather have another ride ;)
> >
> > * Best technical information: Another 20vt guy fron colorado,
> boost
> > controller cranked, getting cutout here at flood altitude. After a
> > long
> > dissertation regarding boost, altitude, MAFS, etc, the frustrated
> guy
> > said,
> > "But what can I do TODAY". Lifting my right arm grabbing that
> > imaginary
> > shrapnelknobben, with counterclockwise motion. Damn, could have
> done
> > that 10
> > minutes ago ;)
> >
> > * Best Compatriot: In deference to any license plate, Keith
> Anderson
> > had a
> > US Flag in said location. Seemed a bit small from afar (all
> inuendos
> > inserted here).
> >
> > * Best track train: Porsche America, Porsche turbo, Larry Tyvie's
> > Stock
> > 5ktq race car (?!!?!?!?!), M3 lightweight, MTM, etc. Zoom Zoom.
> > Sometimes
> > nothing need be said.
> >
> > * Best Audi by Jake = $14.95: Losing the PS belt on Monday. Good
> > quads by
> > Tues night. Aha.
> >
> > Ok, that's enough, this won't fit on the 20v page as it is. Lots of
> > fun, one
> > of my favorite events. My usual thanks to Larry and Mary, a great
> > team, and
> > this time certainly a special thanks for graciously accomodating my
> > late
> > ante. To the sponsors of the event, another thanks, a very
> > complementary
> > effort by some fine people. To Bob Dupree for the last minute
> garage
> > time,
> > and I will say that it's just not the same here without the LT1
> > rousting the
> > birds in Kettle Bottoms. To David Hackl, for his pre event
> > organization of
> > the Chicao Corps, and for sharing an even better toy this time, I'll
> > relish
> > that drive for a long time my friend. To Ingo R, for making the
> trip
> > at "all
> > costs" to share in a great reunion of old friends, as well as
> allowing
> > me the
> > drive of the 200tq. Gary K, for the tossing of the keys to the
> toy,
> > most
> > fun. To the brothers Daniel and Sergio (my student) for really
> showing
> > Qclub
> > has a system that can pass the most interesting of self-tests,
> without
> >
> > upsetting either the event or anyone's enjoyment of it. To my wife
> > for the
> > consistent tolerance of my q-enthusiam, and the trade of my 4runner
> > for the
> > wagon, I owe much more than the track fix of the pass window
> > regulator. My
> > kids for showing how much hidden storage space really exists in an
> > audi
> > wagon. And finally, to all those longtime students/enthusiasts,
> that
> > take
> > the time to come up and say hi and share a story. It's great to
> hear
> > them
> > all, even if my memory fails to recall so many of the specifics in
> > them.
> > Just more great fun. Way cool.
> >
> > End of Report
> >
> > Scott Justusson
> > QSHIPQ at aol.com
> > 87 5ktqw
> > '84 Urq
> > '83 Urq
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
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> >
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> >
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