Letter to ESPN: Pike's Peak coverage

[ekellock@mail2.theonramp.net (Ed Kellock)]

Just thought I'd share with you all the letter I just sent to ESPN.  Did
anybody see the Audi group?  I did... barely.
Read on...

Just finished watching the coverage of the Pike's Peak International Hill
Climb on ESPN2.

Though I enjoyed it very much, I was disappointed that you missed a story
which would have tied into the historical aspect of the race... especially
considering your historical reference to the participation of Audi, with
driver's Mouton and Unser.  

At Devil's Playground there was a group of over 30 Audi's which was granted
special parking priveleges due to the efforts of Audi enthusiasts worldwide
(literally).  These cars were driven to Pike's Peak from as near as
Colorado Springs and as far as Maryland and South Carolina.  There was even
an Audi enthusiast from The Netherlands in attendance, who flew in and rode
with a fellow enthusiast from Idaho. 

These people have met, along with hundreds of others, on the internet
through a mailing list known as "The Quattro List".  This was not the first
time members of the list have gotten together for a face-to-face meeting,
but it was certainly the grandest effort of all for the group as a whole;
there were many more who wanted to attend but were unable to do so.  The
unique qualities of the Audi marque which have made it competitive in
motorpsorts worldwide and of the enthusiasts who drive them are responsible
for this collective effort.

This spectator "special interest" aspect would have tied into your race
coverage very well.  It certainly would have been more topical than a
somewhat self-indulgent clip about a bunch of commentators on a golf
course.  I was hoping to at least see a bit of footage of the group which
was assembled at Devil's Playground, maybe even a mention of the effort. 
As it was, I was only able to get a quick glimpse of the group through the
in-car camera of Leonard Vahsholtz's Ford Explorer.  Only one who was there
would have known what to look for.

I look forward to the Pike's Peak Hill Climb in years to come.  Attending
the event is a unique experience.  Being able to watch the  coverage later
on ESPN makes the experience complete.  Unfortunately the moment has passed
on this year's historical event.

Sincerely,
Ed Kellock