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AudiWatch Update (Tm) #23
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AudiWatch Update #23 9-20-93
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Autoweek, Aug 16, '93, pg 46
YES, VIRGINIA (CITY), THERE IS A SANTA (special thanks to Carl DeSousa)
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Hillclimb early Christmas for exotic owners
by Gail Dorn
All derssed up with nowhere to go?
You finally acquired your dream car -- be it Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche,
Lamborghini or other high performance exotic capable of speeds that are
double, if not triple, the national limit -- but now wonder where you
can drive it as it was meant to be driven.
Well, the Ferrari Owners Club wants to make sure its members are able
to drive their Testarossas, Daytonas, Boxers and F40s as they were
designed -- and to do so with the full blessing of law enforcement.
So every year for the past 22 years, Ferraris have been converging each
summer in the rustic gold mining town of Virginia City, Nev. They come
to take on "The Hill" at a Ferrari Owners Club event called The Virginia
City Hillclimb. It is a run up a 5.2-mile section of paved Nevada state
highway that ascends more than 1200 feet from generous switchbacks to
high-speed sweepers and includes several flat out straightaways in which
the fastest cars hit speeds of 120 mph.
But this is not a members-only event. (ala PCA, Ed.) All marques are welcome.
In fact, this year's event was co-hosted by the national Quattro Club, so
its not surprising that this annual event attracts a wide variety of
exotic supercars such as the venerable Audi Sport Quattro, Lamborghini
Countach, Ruf Carrera 4 Turbo, Acura NSX (?, Ed.) and Lotus Turbo Esprit--
not to mention the American exotics such as the Dodge Viper and ZR1 Corvette.
These are people who, journeying from as far away as Michigan and Canada,
are not content just to own. polish and display their rare exotics.
They are enthusiasts who understand that moving pieces of art only can be
fully appreciated when moving at their limits.
No one was more determined to leave no dount that the Audi Quattro is a
show stopper than Steve Beddor, who made his entrance at speed--though from
above; he sky dived in from 7000 feet flying a large flag displaying Audi's
four-ring logo. Landing near the starting line, Beddor stepped into his
awaiting Sport Quattro and proceeded to demonstrate that nothing is more
efficient that all-wheel-drive for putting power to the pavement, even dry
pavement, particularly in high speed cornering under full power. Beddor's
Audi not only was first up the hill, but was fastest up the hill in 3:33
(an average of 88 mph).
Beddor also was second fastest for the day, borrowing his father's Ruf
Carrera 4 Turbo and turning 3:38. Passion for AWD runs deep in the Beddor
family as Marilyn Beddor (Steve's mother) drove a Ruf C4 Turbo to earn top
female accolades in 3:56 while Steve's brother, Frank, won rookie of the
year honors with a 3:56 in a Sport Quattro. Rick Doria's Greenwood Vette,
reached a top speed of 120 mph on the mid-course straightaway and the fourth
best time of the day.
R&T, Sept '93
Ampersand, pg 42
A VW CABRIO--SEEN THROUGH SPANISH EYES
VW's Latin arm, Seat, is rapidly becoming established as a force in Europe
through its combination of VW technology with Spanish style and labor costs.
There are those who say the Spanish company's latest offering, the Concepto T
Cabrio, was judged just a little too good. According to the rumors, the
Concepto T was due to be show at the prestigious Geneva show last March, but
VW bosses nixed the idea because the parent company's exhibits would have
been overshadowed by the Iberian upstart.....powered by VW's VR6.....
2+2 lines.....Seat is "seriously considering" putting the Concepto T into
production.....Zagato, Karmann, ASC...could start as early as 1995.
Autoweek, Sept 6, '93
WORLD NEWS -- THIS WEEK, pg 6
INAKIGATE
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German officials have searched VW AG headquarters in Wolfsburg, looking
for some 10,000 pages of data and slides which allegedly contain sensitive
material about GM's Euro strategy.
IT's the latest episode of an escalating soap opera of corporate espionage
centering around former GM purcharsing czar Inaki Lopez, who defected to
VW--with armloads of GM plans, GM asserts.
Prosecutors searched 11 VW facilities and residences, including a guest
home where Lopez admitted he had supervised shredding of GM documents that
"accidentally" ended up at VW.
LETTERS, pg 12
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VARYING VIEWS ON VW
Are the new Golf and Jetta IIIs worth their wait? How can you say,
"well sorta."
I saw both of them at the Cleveland suto show and these cars are great.
With all of today's Japanese look-alike cars, the new Golf and Jetta
deserve a warm welcome (as they've already had in the rest of the world).
Also, they are extremely roomy, and it will be hard to find a car in
thier class with more cargo space. And you also muct consider how much
fun VWs are to drive.
As for quality, all mine have been great. My '91 Fox has been an excellent
highway car; at speeds of 75-plus mph, it's incredibly quiet and handles well.
So, you get classic styling, a 2.0-liter or VR6 powerplant, 10-year/1000,000
mile warranty--you bet they're worth the wait! I cant wait to order my new
Jetta GLX (VR6) in 1994.
C. Earl Alligood Jr., Columbia, Tenn.
It's too bad you always write about VW's poor quality. It's also too bad
that you are always right.
After owning an '80 Rabbit and an '88 Golf (both born in Westmorland, PA)
I made frequent pilgrimages to Pep Boys for rearview mirror adhesives.
(Whoa, *major* problems here!, Ed.) The Golf, with only 77,000 miles on it,
spent far too much time in the shop. It pains me to say that this
Farvergnugen-maniac would end up buing a Subaru Impreza after loving five VWs.
I hope VW has turned that around with its third-generation cars. And I
hope you don't have to write and more bad articles about VWs.
Christopher Voight, Newark, Del.
Autoweek, August 30, '93
WORLD NEWS
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HERR DIESEL
Elsewhere on the dyno, Audi is developing a turbodiesel version of its
V6 with direct injection (TDI). The 2.5-liter, four-valve engine packing
150 hp (Oh-my!, Ed.) will come with a five-speed automatic or six-speed
manual. The engine debuts in mid-1996 and will carry over onto the 100's
successor due in 1997. (Euro only? Let's hope so....., Ed.)
European Car, October '93
TECH LETTERS
QUATTRO CLUB CORNER, pg 11
Regarding the recent tech letter you printed from the gentleman in
Vancouver, BC with the 1985 Audi 4000S Quattro. He was looking for
information about handling, and you listed two very good sources. The
other question the man asked was concerning the early turbo Quattro
coupes. (SIC) You replied that the Quattro coupes (SIC) are fairly rare
in the US, which is very true. My main concern with your reply is the
phone number you listed; (612) 474-0231 is not the Audi Owners Club
but is the Quattro Club USA phone number. And, yes, we are glad to help
people with Audi Quattros with any questions they may have concerning
handling, or whatever.
Kent A. Anderson, President, Quattro Club USA
Autoweek, Aug 30, '93
WORLD NEWS
WE HEAR, pg 122-123
Audi's unique Procon-Ten safety system, which pulls the steering wheel
away from the driver in the event of a frontal impact, (among other things,
Procon-Ten does a lot more, like pre-tensioning the belts, Ed.) is slipping
into obsolesence. European buyers prefer the US-standard airbag.
(can you beliveve that?!?, then again, they don't have to put up with the
likes of those *#$)(&%)__%$&*$#&%) mice!, Ed.)
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AUDIs in competition, upcoming events
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SCCA PRO RALLY
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MAINE FOREST PRO RALLY
December 3-5th, Rumford ME, rally headquarters
This is the REAL THING and the final event of the 1993 PRO RALLY season.
NOT TO BE MISSED! Admission FREE for spectators.
NOTE: The "other" Pro Rally in Maine this fall was cancelled due to
lack of road permits, Ed.
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AUDIs in competition, results:
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SCCA PRO RALLY
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PRO Rally Special Event, Mt. Washington Hillclimb
OPEN 1. Choiniere/Audi S-2 (6:46:62)
2. Merrill/Ford Escort Cosworth (6:58:06)
3. Kreibich/Audi Quattro (7:31:33)
Round 4/Prescott Forest, Prescott AZ, July 30-Aug 1
OPEN 1. Choiniere/Becker/Audi S-2 (1:40:58)
2. Zwart/Sircombe/Porsche C4 (1:46:02)
3. Joy/Brandt/Eclipse (1:46:50)
GT3 1. Menendez/Goya/Eclipse (1:52:34)
2. Merrill/Wickens/Audi Quattro (1:53:18)
3. Whitman/Linville/Datsun 510 (1:53:20)
Round 3/Susquehannock Trail, Wellsboro, PA, June 4-6
OPEN 1. Choiniere/Becker/Audi S-2 (2:20:11)
2. Kreibich/Buffum/Quattro (2:20:43)
3. Dimarco/Hauge/Legacy (2:21:47)
Round 2/Rim of the World, Palmdale CA, May 14-15 (top 3 in class)
OPEN 1. Paul Choiniere/Jeff Becker/Audi S-2 (2:50:24)
2. Chad DiMarco/Erick Hauge/Subaru Legacy (2:53:55)
3. Jeff Zwart/Tony Sircombe/Porsche Carrera (2:58:07)
Round 1/Wild West Opener, WA, April 23-25, '93 (top 3 in class)
OPEN 1. John Buffum/Jeff Becker/Audi S-2 (90 Coupe Quattro 20V Turbo) (2:14:35)
2. Carl Merrill/Jon Wickens/Ford (2:18:03)
3. J.Richard Corley/Martin Headland/Mitsubitchy (2:19:23)
SCCA DIVISIONAL PRO RALLY
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Rim Divisional 2, Palmdale CA, May 15 (top 3 in class)
OPEN 1. Bawden/Coatsworth/Mitsubitchy Eclipse (2:03:19)
2. Jardevall/Karleson/Saab 99 (2:04:43)
3. Brasil/Nunes/Audi Quattro (2:08:01)
Fenceline 3, San Bernadico CA, April 10 (top 4 in class)
OPEN 1. Bawden/Eclipse (14:43)
2. Tavares/Toy FX (15:03)
3. R. Brasil/Quattro (15:36)
4. J. Brasil/Quattro (15:43)
SCCA REGIONAL SOLO II
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Solo Time Solo, Salina Kansas, April 23-35
HS 1. Carl Zelion/Audi Coupe GT (139.826)
SCCA DIVISIONAL SOLO II
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Boise Divisional, Boise Idaho, April 17, '93
HS 1. James Herrud/Audi 4000
Buccaneer Divisional, Jacksonville FL, May 22-23 (top 2 in class)
HS 1. Kendrick/Celica (148.748)
HS 2. Batchelder/Quattro (157.798)
SCCA NER DIVISIONAL SOLO II
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Event #8/Summerfest, Bayside Expo Center, Boston MA, August 15 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (43.466)
2. Arsenault/Fox-90 (45.911)
3. Woodsman/Escort-93 (46.110)
Event #6/Bayside National Tour, Boston MA, July 10 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (43.187)
2. Sivret/Cavalier (45.327)
Event #4/Agusta Civic Center, Agusta ME, May 23, '93 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (44.656)
Event #3/MA Safety Council, W. Boylston MA, May 2, '93 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (35.113)
2. Miller/Toyota Celica GT (35.463)
3. J. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (39.091)
Event #2/Orange Airport, Orange MA, April 25, '93 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (61.899)
2. J. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (68.062)
3. Miller/Toyota Celica GT (81.335)
Event #1/Horseneck Beach, MA, April 11, '93 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (32.0686)
2. J. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (35.7264)
3. Abdalian/Toyota Tercel (37.1718)
NESCC (New England Sports Car Club)
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Event #3/Orange Airport, Orange MA, June 6, '93 (top 5 in class)
PRO-DSP 1. G. Vincent/CRX (47.334)
PRO-DSPL2. A. Vincent/CRX (47.358)
PRO-DSP 3. Leverone/CRX (47.785)
PRO-ES 4. Varsell/Integra (48.000)
PRO-HS 5. G.Powell/4000 Quattro (49.820)
Event #2/Orange Airport, Orange MA (top 3 in class)
PRO-ES 1. Besso/VW GTI (44.385)
PRO-HS 2. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (46.311)
PRO-DS 3. Leverone/Honda (49.034)
Event #1/Orange Airport, Orange MA, April 18, '93 (top 3 in class)
HS 1. G. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (57.243)
2. Draper/Saab 99 (61.429)
3. J. Powell/Audi 4000 Quattro (61.566)
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AUDIs of interest FOR SALE:
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'83 AUDI TURBO QUATTRO COUPE -- 60K mi, Mars Red/Tan lthr, mint, $12,900.
612-376-9249/w.;944-2464/h. lv msg. MN 9-6-93
'83 AUDI QUATTRO TURBO COUPE -- White/Tan, 8K actual miles. Never damaged/
registered. All orig. $22K. Baker 800-763-1121 8-30-93
'90 AUDI V8 QUATTRO -- Pearl Beige, studded snows, phone, roof, only 34K mi,
below book@$25,800. 307-672-2551 WY 8-30-93
AUDI V8 QUATTRO, '91, 19K mi, Superb cond. Rare 5 speed. Silver/Gray.
$29,900/firm. 206-564-8201/eves./lv msg. WA 8-30-93
AUDI 20V Turbo motor, complete less harness. S2 intercooler & plumbing.
617-244-3739/eves. MA 8-23-93
AUDI SPORT QUATTRO, 1986 White/black, perfect cond., street legal, 350 hp.
Trades considered. Call Frank. 818-889-1793. CA 8-23-93
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AUDIs **WANTED**
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AUDI S4, New England area, Bill Samaras, 223-7322, samaras@wrksys.enet.dec.c
AUDI Quattro Wagon, 5000/100/200, turbo or non-turbo
Around $5000.00, NE area, condition more important than miles
Call glen at 1-800-526-8255 x767 or email powell@interlan.interlan.com
-glen, Vorsprung durch Technik!