Smokin' V8Q and the Peak (AudiFest 1998)

[WARATAP@aol.com]

Regarding the Papyrus V8 pulled over in Madison --it wasn't me :-).  However,
we did put it through its paces, both to Pikes Peak and at the track in
Pueblo.  Hit the magical 200,000 mile mark entering Illinois from Iowa.

Oil leak seems to be 98.5% rear mail seal.  Try this simple test:

    Conditions:  23 degrees C, sunny, no wind, engine at operating temperature

    Check engine --front and top, including valve covers and distributors for
any oil seepage
    for leaks (none)

    Observe smoke effect from car when warmed up and parked on level surface
(a little)

    Do same with car angled at 36 degrees with front facing top of mountain
(or on ramps)
    (smokin' V8)

    Don't panic...reverse above with car pointed down mountain (or rear tires
on ramps)
    Ah ha!  no smoke:-)

    
In all seriousness, Event (track included) was a blast!  Many thanks to Ben
Howell and Bruce Bell, especially.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate
in the convoy, but did get to make it to the Picnic at Steve Eiche's on Friday
afternoon.  I left Detroit Thursday morning 9 am EDT to pick up Scott
Justusson and a new AC condensor in Chicago.  Opted not to charge system in
favor of getting to Colorado.  Traffic in Chicago was pretty bad with the
holiday, as one might imagine, so we didn't get on the road until 7 PM CDT
Thursday evening.  Drove straight through via I-80 to Boulder, Colorado,
arriving there at 1 PM MDT.  Had a great time later at Steve Eiche's (thanks
again, Steve) and conversing with many listers, including Steve Bucholtz and
his "new" just purchased V8 5-speed, Scott Mockry, Chris Miller, Ben Howell
and Val, John Karasaki, Mike Spiers, Michael Williams, etc.  Later drove to
the hotel in Colorado Springs with the aide of Scott Justusson.  "Are you
awake, Ingo?  Stay away from that Guardrail!"

The next morning we left with Christian Long his SO Breeze, Ed Kellock (left
Leo at the hotel), Dave Head, Scott Mockry, John Karasaki, Gary and Don
Steinbruner, Michael Williams, Osman Parvez, Bob Myers, Chris Miller, Gary
Erickson, Jim Griffin, Brendan Rudack, Scott Justusson and --I'm sorry if I
forgot anyone-- for the Pikes Peak Museum where we got together with the rest
of the gang, including Bruce Bell, Chad Clark and Dave (with Chad's newly
rebuilt -80 miles- motor).  Mike Spiers also was there, as was a new Audi
couple from Colorado Springs with their week-old A4tq!  Steve Bucholtz made an
appearance before heading out to home (Somehow I think the SO was a little bit
miffed at his quick purchasing adventure :-0  Unfortunately, Ben didn't quite
make it, but we still managed to get to the mountain and show off our cars at
Devils Playground like last year --the last cars allowed up to that area.  The
Numbskulls up there didn't even realize who we were (day workers, it would
seem, still in high school?)  But with some careful persuasion -21+ anxious
quattrophiles can be intimidating-we got an even better spot along the track.
The race(s) were quite spectacular, and no, Rod Millen didn't beat his record,
though the $500,000 Tacoma bodied?? racer did make place first at 10:07 with
speeds approaching 125 mph!

Later in the afternoon we left right after all of the race cars, trucks,
motorcycles, and other competition vehicles came down the mountain and before
they let everyone else go:-)  Thanks again, Don!  The rain started again like
last year on the way down, but not as hard.  We got together at the Sheraton
and tipped a few cold ones as we watched the young ladies practicing on the
tennis courts for the National Baton Twirling Competition in Colorado Springs
(aw shucks!). Ben and Val joined us later for dinner at the Ritz (well, kinda
NY/Art Deco look) restaurant, just recently opened, where we took over the
bottom level.  Good food, service and can you believe, separate checks?  Above
and beyond the call of duty!  

Sunday was Race (uh, track) Day for the Quattros.  $100 per... or was that
$75.00...or how about FREE!  That's right, folks, the guy didn't show to
collect.  There was a short circle track event with those "midget" (no MG
relation here) cars and I guess they "forgot" about us.  So we had LOTS of
track time.  Of note: A Sportwheels modified A4tq, and M3, Brendan's A4tq
(with AVS almost balding sticky tires), Ed Kellock's 91 200 tq, Bruce Bell's
4ktq, Gary Erickson's turbo coupe GT, Scott Mockry's 200tq, Mike Lambs 5ktq,
Michael William's 4kq and ? gosh, I'm sure I've missed someone? and my V8 that
Scott J. got to take around the track in less than 2:05.  100+ on the
straightaways.  Got to feel the spiders bite, especially in Brendan's A4 (how
do you like to swivel? -So you now the twist?).  

Had a great Meal at Chili's with the happenstance of finding Chad and his
girlfriend waiting for a table outside the restaurant.  "I'm terribly sorry,
but they only made a reservation for 2, but we're 16, and we're from all over
the country....fifteen minutes later Voila!  Excellent waitress again
(Tammy?).  The next morning Scott Mockry, Jim Griffin and I had breakfast at
Denny's and proceeded toward Boulder where we had to wait in traffic on I-25
just south outside Denver due to a horrific accident (at least 7 vehicles
involved, including  barely recognizable newer style Jetta on its roof).
Reality Check.

Left Boulder on Monday Evening at 7 PM MDT(with 1, 888 miles more on the
odometer than when I left Detroit) after having my wheels balanced/scratched -
lost all the weights at the track and having the AC finally charged.  Jim
Griffin, Scott Justusson and I took turns driving to Chicago and arrived
Thursday at 1 PM CDT.  Dropped Jim off for his flight to PA this morning and
am now at the office with 3,230 roundtrip miles behind me!

Just a really great time and sorry for those of you who couldn't make it
(especially Eric Renneisen, who I KNOW was really looking forward to the
second AudiFest).

That's it for me.  Apologies for anyone I inadvertently did not mention.  Off
to Atlanta tomorrow for work (flying, thank you).

-Ingo Rautenberg
1990 V8q  200,479 miles
http://members.aol.com/Quattringo/index.html