Quattrofest 2010

I joined Audi Club of North America shortly after buying my car and recently they held a HPDE (High Performance Driving Education) in Portland, Oregon. First half of the first day was the Driver's Education. I learned the limits of my car and what to do to keep it in control. We had a slalom, lane changing exercises, braking test/event (60+mph and slam on brakes to a dead stop - and then threshold braking), and a watered down skid pad. After that, it was followed by the rest of the day of lapping on the race track, and on the second day, it was a full day of lapping.

This was my first time ever on a race track (real track in a real car - all racing sims are way different then the real deal).

Here are my videos (in full 1080p HD for those inclined) of a session taken from my Day 1 and my last session on Day 2.

I was double promoted to "Intermediate Novice" on the first day and hope to be an "Intermediate" driver after getting more track time (and tracks for that matter) under my belt.

It was an absolute blast and I enjoyed it very much. I'll post pics and more videos when I get around to it.

YouTube - Dry Run QuattroFest 2010 (Dry - Day 1) @ Portland International Raceway
YouTube - QuattroFest 2010 Run #5, Day 2 (last Run)

 

It was like 350ish for both days (including a banquet).

Considering I had a personal instructor with me at all times, not a bad deal. Done through the Audi Club of North America.

A 0-92mph run on a wet (but drying) track.
YouTube - 2011 Audi B8 S4 stock 0-92mph (in the wet) @ Quattrofest

 

Well if you want to count, I did spend 750 on Stainless Steel brake lines, Motul RBF 600 Racing brake fluid, and Stoptech brake pads...

 

EVERYONE regardless of what car they drive, will always benefit from a HPDE. Definitely go out and do it. They encourage people to use their daily driver to take the classes and lapping sessions. It makes you a safe driver and you know exactly how your car will handle.

 

I just wanted to share this with you guys (since I know some here are gear heads).

"Handling wise, I'm going to keep bone stock for now. The lead instructor has convinced me. He explained that any mods you do decreases the margin of tolorance that a car has. Like in corners, I could hear the tires chirping (close to it's limit) but I still knew that the car could forgive me if I pushed a tad harder as it still had more adhesion to give. If I had stiffer suspension, that margin would decrease as it would be much less forgiving. Even changing the tires to racing rubber (chirping would be bad - as it really means it is about to break loose). So I'll wait until I am much better and more consistent before I do any of that (and I want to "learn" how the car handles - it handles really really well stock). The only thing I am kinda considering are BBKs now (well maybe after my rotors are worn I suppose). My instructor had BBKs on his S4 and he was braking hard all day long. "

I posted that on one of the Audi forums I frequent. Be careful and tactful of what mods you do to your car. I'm gonna leave my handling stock, but a BBK likely in the future (thinking of Stoptechs 6 piston fronts! Or the Alcon looks nice too), I'm getting my ECU flashed right now though (I keep telling myself, it is for increase fuel economy LOL)... I also want to do catbacks just coz the stock exhaust sounds neutered (in needs to sound more like a real german sports sedan).

 

Here's a video of me in driving in the wet.
YouTube - Quattrofest 2010 - Day 4, Run #4 (wet track)

Managed to do a 4 wheel skid/oversteer ~5:18 (too much power too early in the wet). Some slight understeer @ 0:43...

 

LOL viscious...