[urq] Take it to the Track?

[Paul Ahvenainen]

Thanks for all the great comments.

I've actually been very impressed with the road manners of the urq.  Sure it's down on power compared to more modern iron, sure it's not as nimble as a 2200 lb. Miata, but the car seems very predictable and surprisingly grippy in the corners.  My goal at the track isn't to set some amazing time, but rather to learn more about the urq's limits in way that doesn't make sense on the street.  My car is an unmolested survivor, not even close to show car standards.  I hope to find out where I can make subtle and respectful improvements, while maintaining the character of the car.  Wheels & tires are probably first on the list.  But then what, maybe brakes, maybe struts and springs?  More power?  Sure, but it's not top priority.  I'm perfectly capable of scarring myself with the power I have.

Right now I'm thinking I'll just go out there and play with stuff like tire pressures and camber.  Then I'll start hunting for a good set of used 8" wheels.  If anyone knows about a set, let me know.

Thanks:  PA
From: Karasaki [mailto:johnkarasaki at msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 9:05 PM
To: Paul Ahvenainen; urq at audifans.com; dsanderson at jlohr.com
Subject: RE: [urq] Take it to the Track?

I have spent a lot of time at Sears Point. Most in Miatae, some in Russell open wheel cars, and a few days behind the wheels of the more modern Audis.

While I never drove a urq there, I did just drive one at the Ridge in Shelton, WA a few months ago.

This example was a just completed, every bolt replaced, full and absolutely authentic restoration. The car was as good or better than when it rolled off the assembly line in 1985.

NOT my car. But even on the full tread SP8000 tires -- 15 years old and hard as rocks -- the car handled amazing! I would literally have not changed a single thing on the car. This is more incredible in the fact that I was running my track car, a fully prepped and sorted NB Spec Miata.

Driving that urq, OEM stock as Audi intended, was the highlight of my year! This in a year where I was on track multiple days each month, in both the left and right seats, of cars that on paper should have made the urq a caveman car.

Assuming everything is working properly, you will have a blast at Sears.

And if it happens to be an event that Derek Sanderson is at, let him drive it and you'll be amazed at what the old beast can do.

ps After my session driving, I got the owner to swap of the 15 year old rocks on the Ronals for some 2013 rubber on Fuchs. Then we were really having fun and not wanting to slide right off the track.

> From: pahven at gmail.com<mailto:pahven at gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 17:55:02 -0800
> To: urq at audifans.com<mailto:urq at audifans.com>
> Subject: [urq] Take it to the Track?
>
> OK, so I have had my bone stock '83 US spec urq since July. Now that the wine harvest and the holidays are done I want to get some more work done on this beast. But I'm thinking of having a play date first. I've got all the basic safety stuff sorted out. The 30 year old brake fluid is gone, ditto the transmission fluid, differential fluid, dexron, brake pads, timing belt etc etc etc.
>
> Sonoma, aka Infineon, aka Sears Point is calling out to me. NASA has an HPDE event February 15th. I've done hundreds of laps there in a Miata. But I have zero experience with an awd car at the limit. Also this car is 1200 lbs heavier.
>
> Anyone out there track their reasonably stock urq? How does it behave at the limit? Any special things to keep in mind? Is this a stupid idea?
>
> I'm kind of hoping it rains.
>
> Sent from my iPad
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