******QClub USA**********

[Paul_Royal@idx.com]

Dear Fellow Q-Listers,

     After seeing some of the rhetoric on the QClub USA, I just wanted to
add a few words of my my own without
adding too much more to the noise.  There are many good reasons that I
joined the QClub USA recently and
I wanted to pass some observations on to Q-Listers, potential members, and
old QClub USA members alike.
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     Upon the occasion of the purchase of my first Quattro and second Audi
this past Summer I found Dan's List
on-line and have been a fairly active participant on the list ever since.
I've commited some gaffs, had some fun,
taken some ribbing, dished some out, and so on.  I've even bought a part
from the list meister himself.  The Q-list
resulted in my appearance at the Mt. Washington Hillclimb last year, and
instead of hanging around in the parking
lot....I wound up throwing a "red flag" at turn 21 during Saturday's
practice (and as a bonus, I met John Buffum).
The Q-List also found me as the organizer of the now infamous "Kanc-Run"
which brought together no less than
 16 Qs (including 5 ur-Q's for a time).  Perhaps the best thing that
happened at the "Kanc-Run" was meeting people
like Glenn Lawton (a QClub USA member) , who has, like it or not become a
motor-mentor of sorts...and friend.

     The point of all this is that I want to become more serious about my
driving skills, knowledge, safety and
fun.  Yes, much more serious about fun.  I have heard and read about some
of the negative "past" experiences
with QClub USA like every other subscriber to Dan's list, but I have become
 involved with QClub USA members to
the point where I decided that this is an organization that I wanted to be
a part of.  Any club is only as strong as its
members are willing to make it, and I have seen nothing but good things so
far from the New England Chapter of
QClub USA.  I am a newbie to be sure, but I am very much looking forward to
 the events planned for the coming year.
While I am aware of some of the criticisms that have been posted here, it
is my belief that there is a new commitment
from QClub USA to improve upon those perceived shortcomings and I am
certain that the New England Chapter is
strongly committed to improving an already decent club with over 330
regional members.

     The most valuable thing I have ever been taught in my professional
life is never to come to your superiors
with nothing more than a problem....always come with a description of the
problem and at least an idea for a
solution.  I find little but contempt for those that would openly criticize
 an organization that is working to improve itself
and may discourage good people from joining to make it even better.  I
cannot, and do not speak for QClub USA,
or any of its chapters, but I can say that I encourage others who would
want to join and take part in upcoming events
and work to strengthen a club that works for its members.  Once I find "my"
 place within the club I plan to contribute
in other ways than just paying dues.  I'm breaking Mark Twain's cardinal
rule: "I would never want to join a club that
would have me as a member."

     That having been said, I must confess, the "Kanc-Run" was a great
time, and I loved putting it together and
meeting all the listers, but it will be the last event of its kind that I
will take part in.  It was a reckless day that I will
probably remember long enough to tell my grandchildren should I have any.
We got away with some silly things
that day, but what I'd really like to see is the same great group of people
 at a rally or track school event where
we were having at least as much fun without putting ourselves and others
quite so much in harm's way.  There's no
doubt that all the folks who showed up love their Audis; imagine if all
that enthusiasm were harnessed within
the New England Chapter of QClub USA.  Think about it and join me if you
can.

     For more information, check out the website at:
http://www.netaxis.com/~zcritter/director.html

                    Sincerely and Respectfully,

                              Paul W. Royal
                              90 90Q20v