Audi Club events in March, April, and June.

[Dean]

EDITED 3/1/05...
Mark your calendars...

March 7-8 Buttonwillow event info
March 18-19, Laguna Seca event info & On-Line Entry
April 9-10, Pahrump, NV Event Info
June 10-12, Reno-Fernley (Event info coming soon)

Buttonwillow, and Pahrump entry forms

Feel free to ask me questions...

Audi Club Membership is required for these events. If you are signing up as a new member, I would appreciate it if you put "Dean Benz" on the form in the "How did you hear about the Club?" field so I get credit for the anunal membership contest. Thanks

On-Line Membership Form

[MikeK]

How many events do you have to attend before you can get out of the exercises on the first day?

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MikeK

How many events do you have to attend before you can get out of the exercises on the first day?

Basically, you have to be capable and comfortable running in the intermediate/advanced group!

Recently, we are getting many more "intermediate" drivers, and thus the weird D&E groups at the last event.

It was so long ago, I think I did 2-3 events, but I had no track or autocross experience before that.

You are probably good for the C group at the next event. If it is a new track to you though, just make sure your instructor knows that.

[MattR]

Sweet...I think I'm in for Pahrump, and I'm planning on RFR for sure...Can't wait.

[MikeK]

If it is any indication, I was the slowest person in the group at thunderhill in the wet, but I spent the dry sessions stuck behind people - until I cooked my brakes

I will probably go to pahrump if I can get out of the excercises, but I can't spare 2 weekdays for buttonwillow

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MikeK

If it is any indication, I was the slowest person in the group at thunderhill in the wet, but I spent the dry sessions stuck behind people - until I cooked my brakes

I will probably go to Pahrump if I can get out of the excercises, but I can't spare 2 weekdays for buttonwillow

Pahrump is about a 6-7 hour drive. and is probably going to cost you two 1/2 work days. I will take both Friday and Monday off for it, and am planning on Mon-Wed. for Buttonwillow.

How long a drive was Buttonwillow? 395 most of the way?

Note on brakes. Flush before you go, and be prepared to do bleed/flush at the end of the first day before you leave the track. You won't have time the morning of the second day. You may not need to, but it is better than missing track time.

Getting comfortable going fast in the wet is very difficult, even on good wet tires. Smooth/slow hands, and feet become paramount, and things you got away with in the dry don't play no more..

[MattR]

Originally Posted by Dean

How long a drive was Buttonwillow? 395 most of the way?

Dean, Mikesti and I took about 5.5 hours to get there via I80 to 5 south. That is the preferred way. We were also traveling at pretty retarded speeds, so I'd plan on 6 hours or so...

You can also take 395 to 58, cut across Tehachapi through Bakersfield, but that way takes way longer...I'd stick to the 80 + 5 route.

Buttonwillow is West of Bakersfield,Ca on I-5.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MattR

Dean, Mikesti and I took about 5.5 hours to get there via I80 to 5 south. That is the preferred way. We were also traveling at pretty retarded speeds, so I'd plan on 6 hours or so...

You can also take 395 to 58, cut across Tehachapi through Bakersfield, but that way takes way longer...I'd stick to the 80 + 5 route.

395 in March might be a nice drive, and I'll have the whole day/weekend if I want to do it since it is a Monday-Tuesday event. Probably depend on how much scrambling geting the car ready is happening Sat.-Sun. Definitely come back 5/80. Did you guys cut through downtown Sac. or just take the normal 80 bypass?

[MattR]

I always take 80 to 5 directly, avoiding Business 80...personal preference.

[Kevin M]

Wouldn't the TNL school we took qualify us for Group C with Audi Club Dean? Personally, I won;t be doing AC events til the Fernley one, so by then I *should* have even more track time, but I would think that track experience + good instruction should do it right?

[Dean]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Wouldn't the TNL school we took qualify us for Group C with Audi Club Dean? Personally, I won;t be doing AC events til the Fernley one, so by then I *should* have even more track time, but I would think that track experience + good instruction should do it right?

No. If one day TNL is your only performance driving experience, then you will probably end up in one of the two novice/beginner groups.

It depends on the individual, but a couple of track days would probably be a minimum with autocross thrown in as a bonus. Mike with his TNL, and now some Audi stuff is probably good. Someone who has autocrossed but never been on a track, and/or only done the one day of TNL probably is not ready for the speeds in the Audi group C. They may be by day 2, and can get bumped if needed, but that seldom happens as much of group A & B are going "fast" by day 2.

Learning to look for flagers, and managing your vision, and body parts at speed on a track takes practice, and the last thing you want is to be learning while being constantly overtaken.

[MikeSTI]

Originally Posted by MattR

Dean, Mikesti and I took about 5.5 hours to get there via I80 to 5 south. That is the preferred way. We were also traveling at pretty retarded speeds, so I'd plan on 6 hours or so...

that was a nice drive

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by Dean

No. If one day TNL is your only performance driving experience, then you will probably end up in one of the two novice/beginner groups.

It depends on the individual, but a couple of track days would probably be a minimum with autocross thrown in as a bonus. Mike with his TNL, and now some Audi stuff is probably good. Someone who has autocrossed but never been on a track, and/or only done the one day of TNL probably is not ready for the speeds in the Audi group C. They may be by day 2, and can get bumped if needed, but that seldom happens as much of group A & B are going "fast" by day 2.

Learning to look for flagers, and managing your vision, and body parts at speed on a track takes practice, and the last thing you want is to be learning while being constantly overtaken.

Okay, so TNL 1 isn't enough, but TNL+ 3 other track events + lots of autocross should get me into Intermediate yes?

[MattR]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Okay, so TNL 1 isn't enough, but TNL+ 3 other track events + lots of autocross should get me into Intermediate yes?

Kev, as far as your driving I'd say you've got plenty of experience for Int... You might want to make the decision depending on the track config...It would be sweet if the new technical section was finished by then.

[dknv]

Originally Posted by MikeK

How many events do you have to attend before you can get out of the exercises on the first day?

Ah, c'mon, didn't you like lane toss?

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by dknv

Ah, c'mon, didn't you like lane toss?

Not for $175 per day + hotel bills + time off work!!

[Dean]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Okay, so TNL 1 isn't enough, but TNL+ 3 other track events + lots of autocross should get me into Intermediate yes?

Yes

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Yes

How about 2+ seasons of autocross, 2 TnL track days at RFR, and one Unlimited Laps event at T-Hill?

I doubt I'll be able to run in the March or April events, since the car should be getting its tranny installed about then, but I'm in for RFR for sure!

[MikeSTI]

I think I will be in for April

hey Dean when will signs ups be avalible?

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

How about 2+ seasons of autocross, 2 TnL track days at RFR, and one Unlimited Laps event at T-Hill?

That is probably OK...

[Dean]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

I think I will be in for April

hey Dean when will signs ups be avalible?

Buttonwillow, and Pahrump entry forms areHERE

More event info for Pahrump shoud be up by next week.

[MikeSTI]

Originally Posted by Dean

Buttonwillow, and Pahrump entry forms areHERE

More event info for Pahrump shoud be up by next week.

thanks Dean I also need to become a member? I guess the real question is should I get a 1 year or just go for the 3 year and get the savings

[Dean]

Bump for New March 18-19, Laguna Seca event!!!

This is a Friday-Saturday...

Details to come. You are some of the first to hear about it...

First post updated.

[dknv]

Those are great dates!

You guys should go, a track experience at L-S is AWESOME!!!

[MikeSTI]

I dont see any info for the Laguna Seca event............

............how do we sign up? how much will the event be? who's going?