[urq] UPG 2008

[Ingo Rautenberg]

Guys,

I'm sending this to you on behalf of Scott Justusson (something  
having to do with dial-up problem at home):


Gents:
Although I can't seem to get Frappr to work, I have been watching  
with great interest the thread on an urq-fest for 2008.  As a  
participant and Eventmaster of several motorsports activities, I'll  
put in my .02 on what I've read to date.

First on the agenda is picking a venue to have this gathering.  My  
own suggestion is that Indianapolis IN looks darn good for this type  
of Event.  First, it's a race town, has 2 tracks (Putnum and IMS), is  
car group friendly in all hosting respects, and is centrally located  
in the USA.

I see the following priorities brought forth to date:  Roads,  
possible track venue, Roads, family interests, activities, and GTG.   
I'd personally add an autocross (in lieu of a track event), a show  
and shine, a couple road rallies, and a park ferme/BBQ.

1:   I'll address Roads and Spirited Driving on them.  IME, you  
gather more than a half dozen cars, you instantly gather attention of  
the local constables.  The most memorable was a Steamboat ACNA Event  
a few years ago where a 15 car train (led by the Eventmaster himself  
- not me) got busted by the local sheriff.  The aftermath of that was  
a statewide intense quattro hunt by the boys in blue.  So bad was  
this profiling, I actually took the audi badges off my car!  A more  
sane method is to make a road rally (rallies) in an area where  
hosting one isn't a hostile environment.  The good news here is that  
we can garner a couple of the Road Rallies already mapped in the Indy  
area.  And yes, there are good roads there, and many more within a 2  
hour drive south.  I see 2 or possibly even 3 rallies, Gimmick,  
Novice and Brisk TSD types.

2:  Track Events vs Autocross
Adding a Track Event adds a huge dimension to a GTG.  I dare say we  
are mostly speaking to classic grand touring coupes that need to make  
it back to their respective home-20 under their own power.  I just  
don't see the interest developing in this (or the added expense being  
appealing), but I do see an Autocross having good promise and better  
turn out (including ladies and teen classes?).  Again, there is a  
venue available for this close to Indy, that is very reasonably priced.

3:  Also Ran I-5's
Personal choice is that this is an urq gathering, plain and simple.   
Add all the I5's you change the flavor, and massively.  This isn't  
'Waterfest', this is going after the urq specific to the Audi  
Marque.  Planned correctly, I would expect to see 100 urq's as  
maximum, and that's quite reasonable to handle without driving costs  
and logistics out of site.  There is no question in my mind that 100  
urq's within a city, will draw enough of an additional crowd.   
Accomodating overflow of enthusiasts is different than specifically  
including them.

4:  Multipe Venues
That defines a GTG, and can be done.  I suggest that a 'National' UPG  
develop, and encourage regional fests at every opportunity.  A  
Midwest venue is appealing for a National Fest, West Coasters may  
have to Drive a day to hook up with the CO contingent, but desire is  
the what and how, not the where.  Bob, Ingo and I travelled to  
Monterey in the LT1Q in 99, and would do it again, it wasn't the  
where, it was just how we got there.

5:   Other activities.  In Indy, there is a great zoo, a good museum,  
IMS, and always some sort of Motorsport activity going on at the 2  
tracks.  There is camping, a lot of host eligible (and willing)  
Hotels.  I would think as a four day event (Thurs-Sunday), those  
flying solo could sneak out, and those torturing the family with the  
mistress we call quattro, aren't out too many vacation days.  Enough  
families come, we can make activities for them.  I've seen gimmick  
picture rally's that can involve you, the whole family and the car.

6:  Dates.  I suggest either early or late summer (june or august),  
as that should be the best chance of not too hot weather.

In Summary:
The UPG needs to happen, and we shouldn't be reinventing the wheel,  
or trying to force ourselves to think outside the purpose and  
intent.  The primary driving force should be the Urq, and family  
friendly surroundings to it.  My biggest advocation would be to make  
it something special the first time, affordable, interesting, and  
involving.  I've thoroughly enjoyed being Eventmaster for Gruppe-q  
Steamboat Ice Event for this very reason, and our urq count is higher  
than most ACNA track events.  I enjoy all my Audis, but the urq is  
still what drives my passion for the marque.  Celebrating that  
exclusively and in Grand Touring fashion, seems to be the best reason  
to consider a single and exclusive UPG for 2008.

My .02

Scott Justusson
84 RS2 Urq Project - Tornado
83 Urq - Amazon
.5 x 83 Urq - Mars Steamboatq