Waterford Hills - POV from First Time Attendie

[Robert Dupree <rdupree@sidley.com>]

	Let me start this little report by thanking the people of the GreatLakes Q'Club who put on such an excellent event this past weekend at Waterford Hills; ya'll did a great job.  This was my very first event and to anyone who still has not been to one, GO!  Personally I always bailed because of high costs, but not anymore; it was well worth it.
	The weather was perfect, one could almost say it was too sunny but still very nice out.  Lots of friendly people, nice cars, and good food.  As a newbie I was pretty intimidated when getting lined up for the excersises in the morning; but the instructors at each practice area were very patient with me and took the time to make sure I understood what needed to be done.  I made mistakes, they offered advice; on the rare occasion I did something right, they were complimentative.  All in all for a first timer in a technically challenging group; I soon fwas feeling right at home.
	I started out with a few minor technical problems; but excellent prep work before the event by Scott (PDQSHIP), and some insightfull hints at the track from Craig Jones (Schaumburg Audi / Lava Machine) had me back on the track after only a minor sweat equity investment.  I will say this, for all you first timers, once you've decided to go to an event take a real serious look at your brakes in advance... (No giggles from the peanut gallery please...)  I got lucky after burning mine to the backing plates ( it LOOKED like there was more pad there when I started...) because there were replacement pads to be bought from the likes of Anderson Bros (KWATTRO).  
	I'll finish up here and let someone else with more experience cover the event in more detail; but let me say this.  If you've never been to a Q'Club track event, GO! GO! GO! GO!GO! GO !GO! GO!  Search the couch for loose change and raid your kid's piggy bank (kidding) it's that much fun.  Personally I need a lot more track time to put together all the things that I was taught; so I guess I'm stuck having to go to Road America :)  I am still in awe based on what our cars can actually do, especially those new A4's!!!

Keeping Two Hands On The Wheel...

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Robert A. Dupree		rdupree@sidley.com
Network Engineer		312.853.7487 p
Sidley&Austin		312.853.7036 f
Chicago, IL  60603		800.728.0480 pager
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