cyberpmg

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/26980/mid-ohio.jpg"></center><p>This was FUN!!!! =)

Got to spend the weekend at the Mid-Ohio course. One day of driving school (very challenging and worth it!), and one day on the course itself.

The car held up fine while running. I did manage to boil the break fluid (common newbie mistake - need to change to higher temp fluid), but I didn't ruin the rotors.

I had an instructor with me at all times telling me when to turn, when to brake (and how much), and when to step on the gas. He really helped me to understand the limits of my car and how to improve on the driving skills to make better time and speed. Being out with a whole bunch of other beginners, I was passing a lot of them.

There was another beginner who had his dad's 2 year old 911 Turbo S that was a sweet and fast car. He had some prior experience, but I was only .9 seconds slower in my lap time than he was. The big thrill was to be able to take the A4 to the edge of it's limit and keep it there without loosing control.

If anyone has a chance, do it! =)

TheChrisJung

they have driving schools for auto trans too?

Dub Russian

that's pretty tight, guess you got your coilpack fixed... i wanna try it sometime.

cyberpmg

I have the Tiptronic myself. There was even a Camero Z28 that has automatic that was at the school!

Because the training was linked in to the Quattro club track event, we were allowed to use our own car for the drills (braking, auto-x, &amp; slalom). If I were to take one of the full blown classes at Mid-Ohio, I would be using one of their Acura's. I liked it this way since I was learning the skills in the car I use every day.

cyberpmg

After my last time on the track, I had let it cool down before taking off for home (about 1.5 hours away). Everything was just fine for the first 2/3 of the trip home, but on the last 1/3, the car started to shake a little (felt in the steering wheel and in the seat). I thought that the tires may be tracking in a groove in the road, but I still felt it on smooth surfaces.

I also detected a burnt smell outside the car when it was in the garage at home, but I could not determine where it came from. There was also some resistance in rolling of the wheels where it felt like I had a flat tire up by the front passenger side (tire is not flat and is holding correct pressure).

Also have a weird electrical situation (not track related) where the lights (parking, turn signals, main, high beam, fog, and all rears) would occassionally cut out and then back on. This also seemed to affect the back lighting of the hazard switch and the movement of the wiper arms. Are these all tied to the same fuse? Maybe the fuse is about to go, or may have come loose?

Anyway, it's at the dealer being looked at. They were also a major sponsor of the Quattro Club event and have a lot of top mechanics to handle "sports injuries". =)

2tuŽbos1mission

Looks like a lot of fun. Too bad it was filled when I tryed to sign up.

EricBell

So that's where you were at, with the Mid-Ohio instructors.

cyberpmg

Almost didn't make it at all. Came down with a bad cold on Wednesday, but it cleared up (mostly) by Friday afternoon. Would have stopped by the go-carts Saturday night, but I was wiped out from the school and my first run on the track (and the cold). Fortunately, my room had a hot tub to relax in! =)

I was also one of the raffle winnars on Sunday. I got the last of the 2002 Audi ALMS t-shirts from Road Atlanta. Of course, the tires would have been a lot better! =)

cyberpmg

Yeah, this one fills up fast! There were people from all over the country (NY to CA) &amp; London!

EricBell

feeling up to it maybe you can stop by the Dub Pub Tuesday around 8pm. Hang out and bull**** about cars and the track.