kid in a candy store

["Jouko Haapanen" <joukoh@vtoy.fi>]

I took my 88 Urquattro to Risto Buri at Lehtonen Motorsports just outside
of Turku yesterday.  In the shop they had currently:

ex-factory STW A4 quattro
ex-factory (IMSA) 44-bodied 20V turbo monster quattro 900+ hp
ex-factory STW Audi 80 quattro
ex-factory Audi 200q rally car
Audi S2 rally car (two)
few Urq's
few Golf rally Kit Cars
etc.

There are warehouses full of bodyshells, from brand new to banged up. 
Engines from 4.2 V8's and 20V Turbos to VW 16V engines.  The factory cars
are amazing, now that I had a chance to see them close up and stripped
down.  The documentation and precise part numbering systems are amazing. 
Just call up the guys at Audi Sport, give them the PN for a new set of
calipers, and off you go again.

They are busy building and servicing customers' race/rally cars, but the
odd street car gets slipped inn too.  Saw a beautiful old V8 with a
complete 4.2 A8 transplant, Tiptronic and all.  Looked like factory, but
apparently was not easy.  How about a 1991 Urquattro with a modified RS2
drivetrain, 410hp, A8 brakes (can still use 15x8) Ronals, absolutely stock
appearance inside and out - no big pipes, lowered suspension etc. Just goes
like stink.  That one is not for sale.  

I left Wunderbaum (my wife gave the car the nickname as a reference to the
PO's liking to stinky hang-up trees) with Risto, and will get it back
around mid- to end of August.  The MB is being rebuilt, and a zillion other
things rebuilt/replaced.

He called today regarding a complete interior from a late RR Urq, with
leather and suede Recaros with power controls.  The donor car is at MTM, he
is gonna pick up the whole car in a week or so.  The donor car was built by
MTM and has recently been rear-ended.  I am thinking of buying the complete
drivetrain from it, a 300hp+ MTM-built (from ground up) RR engine might be
mighty sweet in any Urquattro.  Maybe I'll crate the rebuilt MB and
assorted harnesses for later installment and enjoy the RR.

The A8 front Caliper/disc setup looked magnificent inside the big Ronals. 
The calipers are clearanced by a smallest of margins to give a safe
clearance.

He is building a new A4 1.8T quattro withselected Audi Sport race pieces
such as fenders, brakes, 19" forged OZ wheels, suspension etc.  The car
will receive all that does not attract unwanted constabulary attention. 
More on this project as it progresses.

Apparently Audi Sport only sells parts to a few places around the world -
he is one of them.

I'm rambling...


Jouko Haapanen
Pori, Finland


I