|
Post by gravis on Apr 15, 2002 21:35:06 GMT -5
After reading in audiworld about that M3 that dissolved after hitting a pole, I think we should start some sort of group driving school GTGs. What do you think? Where can we get lessons? With my Abt and Milltek, sometimes I feel a little out of control even just during a hard 2nd gear acceleration. Part of that is just getting to know the car, and the other part is not knowing WTF I'm doing (I'll be the first to admit)
|
|
|
Post by Mirror|rorriM on Apr 16, 2002 8:39:49 GMT -5
Start autox-ing. It's cheap and will give you a basic idea of how your car handles.
|
|
dotorg
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by dotorg on Apr 16, 2002 8:40:29 GMT -5
After reading in audiworld about that M3 that dissolved after hitting a pole, I think we should start some sort of group driving school GTGs. What do you think? Where can we get lessons? With my Abt and Milltek, sometimes I feel a little out of control even just during a hard 2nd gear acceleration. Part of that is just getting to know the car, and the other part is not knowing WTF I'm doing (I'll be the first to admit) You mean like, oh, the Quattro Club? ;D www.neqclub.org/
|
|
dotorg
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by dotorg on Apr 16, 2002 8:44:19 GMT -5
Start autox-ing. It's cheap and will give you a basic idea of how your car handles. Well, its cheap, it gives you a very basic idea of how your car handles, but some of the worst drivers I've ever met have been avid AutoX'ers. You can be a horrible and unsafe (to self and others) driver and still do well at an autocross. The two best things I think a person can do is a winter driving school (the QC ones are very good, because they are cheap, but there are other very good ones too), and a driving school that provides real one on one instruction. QC does those, BMWCCA does those, and then there are all the pricey ones where you use their cars.
|
|
|
Post by nene on Apr 16, 2002 9:03:13 GMT -5
I think the problem with the Quattro Club is that the spots usually fill up fast. But, I'll keep checking, because even on a Tip, I can be a menace on the road.
|
|
|
Post by mike@bostonaudi on Apr 16, 2002 9:38:28 GMT -5
I can't believe I'm actualy about to say this, but look at some of the BMWCCA driving safety schools. I just got back from one this Sunday and am very pleased. You do a lot of what you would do w/ Quattro and more: Emergency lane change Emergency double lange change Treshhold braking exercises Wet skidpad Throttle induced oversteer Brake induced understeer $65 for the day, no membership necessary. I know the Boston chapter is having an Auto-x school w/ similar exercises coming up this month. It may be worthwile to investigate. Also, I went with the White Mountain Chapter (WMC) which operate from NH, and met some very nice people. I'm not sure how the Boston one is, but hopefully they're also car enthusiasts, not just badge wh0res.
|
|
|
Post by nene on Apr 16, 2002 9:47:42 GMT -5
Good work Mike. Sometimes we need to go into enemy territory to see what's available.
Do you use your own car with the BMWCCA classes? I'm interested in learning the limits of my car in the process.
|
|
|
Post by mike@bostonaudi on Apr 16, 2002 9:58:09 GMT -5
Yup, you use your own car. I brought the S2000 - got a few jeers about riding a 4 wheeled motorcycle from the instructors, but the students were all over it asking questions, begging for rides, etc. There were a few WRXs there, a Boxter, Civic, etc and there were also quite a few automatics so I'm sure no one would mind if you brought the Audi, Tip or otherwise. I have some pics & videos up at: www.bostonaudi.org/mike/pics/bmwcca_safety_school/Please save the videos before viewing. Sorry about the WMV format, but the editor I had would only save in that (damn you Microsucks! Damn you!)
|
|
|
Post by gravis on Apr 16, 2002 10:14:57 GMT -5
Now that's my kind of carwash!
The June QC event is taking applications now. I might give it a try, but I want to look into this BMW thing some more first. I looked around on the BMWCCA site but couldn't find any events locally.
|
|
wclark
Junior Member
Posts: 47
|
Post by wclark on Apr 16, 2002 11:42:47 GMT -5
On the low cost end there are the BMWCCA autocrosses which I found very instructive. Bring your own ride and helmet.
In my opinion the best in the area is Team O'Neil rally driving school up in Franconia. It really teaches you to drive under control well beyond the limits of adhsesion in a safe instructor intense environment. You use their cars too. The ONLY downside is primary technique taught - right foot braking - is almost impossible with our cars.
VAG has totally hosed true performance driving on the DBW A4 (oh - and all the Audis, VW and even the Porsche with DBW) by interlocking the brake pedal with a throttle shutdown and by positioning the brake pedal way right. So you cant do right foot braking or heel and toe. Dont get me wrong, I love my Audi but I could almost puke every time I hear a dealer or AoA talk about perfection or perfomance. Drive one of Tom O'Neil's old 4000 quattro (stock by the way) around his course at speed then try it with the A4 and you will see what I mean.
|
|
dotorg
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by dotorg on Apr 16, 2002 12:15:21 GMT -5
Now that's my kind of carwash! The June QC event is taking applications now. I might give it a try, but I want to look into this BMW thing some more first. I looked around on the BMWCCA site but couldn't find any events locally. You mean Limerock? Bwah ha ha ha... Limerock sells out with dozens on the waiting list on the first day, every year. Three years I've been trying to get into it -- three years I've sent the application on the first day. Hopefully this year I'll get in!
|
|
dotorg
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by dotorg on Apr 16, 2002 12:17:09 GMT -5
The ONLY downside is primary technique taught - right foot braking - is almost impossible with our cars. Tim O'Neal said that the behavior you are talking about can be easily disabled on our cars -- and implied that it was just a VAG-related setting, but he also said he wouldn't tell anyone how to do it. You might want to ask around, though, someone might know.
|
|
wclark
Junior Member
Posts: 47
|
Post by wclark on Apr 16, 2002 15:41:08 GMT -5
Tim O'Neal said that the behavior you are talking about can be easily disabled on our cars -- and implied that it was just a VAG-related setting, but he also said he wouldn't tell anyone how to do it. You might want to ask around, though, someone might know. Thats good, I will have to ask around. Then I need to save up for the operation that puts the 6" offset in my left shin so I can reach the brake pedal...
|
|
dotorg
Junior Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by dotorg on Apr 16, 2002 16:18:43 GMT -5
Thats good, I will have to ask around. Then I need to save up for the operation that puts the 6" offset in my left shin so I can reach the brake pedal... Thats just a matter of getting good new pedal covers. No f'in way Audi will ever build a car where you could even remotely accidentally hit the gas when you are on the brake -- not after the unintended acceleration fiasco ten years ago. But a $40 set of sparco brake pedal covers will easily fix that.
|
|
rey
Junior Member
Posts: 100
|
Post by rey on Apr 17, 2002 8:28:39 GMT -5
There's an event coming up at Watkins Glen (5/20-21) run by Tracquest. www.tracquest.com-Rey
|
|